GOSPEL: LK 6:1-5
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WHILE Jesus was going through a field of grain on a Sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of it, and shared it with his companions.” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
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Sabbath commemorates the institution of the perpetual covenant between Israel and God (cf Ex 31:13-17), a sign recalling two events: The day on which God rested after having finished the work of creation in six days (cf Ex 20:8–11), and the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt (cf Dt 5:12-15). To remember the event, 12 showbread (bread of presence), representing the 12 tribes of Israel, are consecrated (cf Lv 24:5-9).
Jesus recalls that when David and his men were fleeing from King Saul, they were so hungry that they ate this bread that was to be eaten only by the priests. Thus, Jesus points out a basic principle: Human need is more important than ceremonial regulations. To free men from suffering is better than ceremonies.
Love of God and love of neighbor sum up all commandments. Faithful love is the mark of true worship and covenant relationship, as the prophet Hosea calls to Israel: “For it is loyalty that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hos 6:6).
Finally, when Jesus claims that he is the Master of the Sabbath, he asserts his authority over the Pharisees and the ceremonial laws, because the Creator is far greater than the creation.
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SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2020,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
