Mk 2:23-28
23As [Jesus] was passing
through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a
path while picking the heads of grain. 24At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” 25He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? 26How
he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the
bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared
it with his companions?” 27Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. 28That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
Reflection:
The sabbath was made for man.
The observance of Sabbath as a day of rest or cessation of labor
recalls that after God had finished the work of creation, he rested on
the seventh day (cf Gn 2:2). The Pharisees charge Jesus’ disciples with
violating the Sabbath because they pick the heads of grain while
walking through a field. Harvesting and plowing, in fact, are
prohibited on the Sabbath (cf Ex 34:21).
In reply, Jesus recalls the example of
David who went to the house of God, took the bread of offering which
only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his hungry
companions (cf 1 Sm 21:1-6).
Jesus teaches that common sense, not
rigidity or narrow-mindedness, should prevail; the law of Sabbath
should be applied with compassion and love. Human need has precedence
over regulations. Laws are meant to serve people, not stop them from
helping and sharing. The Sabbath is meant to contribute towards making
life more fruitful and meaningful.
There are always ways and means to help people in need.
What is your favorite excuse for not giving even when you can afford it?
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