The Ordinary Time gospel from today's readings is an answer to the challenges that have confronted many Catholics for years concerning the obligations of the Ten Commandments, especially "Keep holy the sabbath."

Confronted by Pharisees' suspicion about how much activity he engages in on the sabbath, Jesus moves the issue from "black and white" to the value of another person's life: "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than destroy it?"

The Church, in the Catechism, does not obligate a Roman Catholics to suffering or pain because they are goods in themselves. However, the Church does encourage sacrifice and some challenge in our lives as good and worthy of practice when they produce better, strong person.

Many are the confessors who witness the turmoil of soul when penitents become entangled on the horns of the dilemma: What is my Sunday obligation when the proper care of a young child is placed on the decision scales? What obligation does a caregiver of a seriously ill person have with regard to the Sunday obligation, the Third Commandment?

Read these exhortatory words from the Epistle of James (1:27): "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and keep oneself unstained from the world." Care of the widows and orphans was of great concern in the Jewish faith during the time of Jesus. These were the vulnerable of that age.

We might ask ourselves who are those in need of our care and concern today? This is the driving force and source we should use in weighing a Sunday obligation. There are times when "the color gray" outweighs either "black or white."