Readings: Hebrews 6:10-20; Psalm 111; Mk 2:23-28 God gives us occasions to be united with Him and each other. This week we are urged to pray for Christian Unity, as Christ prayed for all of us to His Father that we may be one just as He and His Father are one (see Jn 17:11ff). The theme of this year is “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”(see Jn 15:5ff). There are many things we can reflect on but let’s take a moment and discern about the reading of today’s Gospel telling us that the disciples were plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath day. The Pharisees protested that the disciples were doing a work forbidden on the Sabbath. Preparing food was one of thirty-nine forms of work listed by the Rabbis against the Sabbath rest. So, plucking a few grains of wheat or corn was equally considered as work against the Law. Here we see the Pharisees who are rigorous to the letter of the word vs. Jesus’ great concern for human needs and the intent of the Sabbath, which is God’s creative work and liberation from any kind of human slaver. Jesus said: “The Sabbath was made for people and not people for the Sabbath; so, the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath”.
Jesus is saying is that there is a law above written laws that the Creator placed into the very nature of people: urgent legitimate human needs surpass the law.As we try to reflect upon this passage, we can gradually come to know Jesus, that He is fully human and concerned for even our small needs. We also come to see how truly Divine He is, filled with true wisdom to immediately see through the weakness of the law. He is concerned that no one is deprived of any basic needs because of human laws and their interpretations above the law of love of God and our neighbor.
“Your law of love is our joy and salvation”. Fr. Mussie