Gospel Reading: Mk 2:23-28
As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the Sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How 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?” Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.
THE SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MAN
Strict observance of the Sabbath is one of the characteristic features of Judaism. It makes one an “observant Jew,” one who is faithful to the Mosaic Law. Jesus does not intend to discredit the Mosaic Law; rather, he wants to instill the right motivation and attitude toward the observance of the Sabbath. The well-being of a person is more important than laws that should promote the welfare of people. Since his disciples are hungry, Jesus allows them to pluck heads of grain. He cites an example from the Old Testament: when David and his companions were hungry and in need of food, they ate the bread of offering that was reserved for the priests. For Jesus, doing good for the well-being of a person should be the principle in the observance of the Sabbath.
A legalistic attitude stifles the working of the Holy Spirit in our life.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.