what is more important: 23rd week monday 2012 II

Not all values are the same.  Not all values are equal.  There is what we call a hierarchy of values.  When we say there is a hierarchy of values we recognize that in a particular context there is a prior value and a value of lesser degree.  We recognize that in a particular situation, there is a more pressing value and there is a less pressing issue.  The Sabbath rest is a value. 

We need to rest from our labors on a Sabbath.  But in a particular context there might be a more pressing, a more important value, which therefore makes it prior to the Sabbath, and that is the healing of the man with withered hands.  The conflict then is not a question of distinguishing what is good and what is bad.  It is not a question that involves a choice between good and evil.  It is rather a question between two goods, between two values.  Which one is prior in this particular situation?  Is it the Sabbath rest or is it the healing that must be done immediately?

Think about it for a moment.  Most often our quarrels start from here.  It is not that one is good and one is bad.  Most often both are good and the dilemma is what is prior, what is more important, what is more applicable.