Daily Gospel Reflection
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September 7, 2019
One sabbath, while Jesus was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?”
Jesus answered, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?”
Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”
The concept of the sabbath is such a beautiful gift. Our God and creator wanted to give us a chance to take a break every single week so that we could give that time back to God. At times in my life, I’ve given in to the temptation of the Pharisees and asked “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” in judgment of the actions of others on a Sunday. More recent personal experiences have taught me a deeper meaning of this passage.
Two of my children are often so ill that I’m not able to attend Mass on holy days and I am required to do all kinds of “work” that can be very difficult and not at all restful. Many times throughout the four Gospels, the Pharisees rebuke Jesus for healing the sick on the sabbath day. Jesus’ response is always consistent: religious observance and care for those in need cannot be mutually exclusive. The times when I’ve been required to take my children to a hospital instead of assisting at Mass I’ve often asked myself, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” but each time I’ve found that I’m truly brought closer to our Lord in assisting the most vulnerable ones close to me.
This passage is slightly different than the healing episodes, yet we notice that the disciples still weren’t doing something all that pleasant. I haven’t ever eaten raw wheat, plucked straight from the shaft, but it doesn’t strike me as a sumptuous feast. The disciples must have been famished! Perhaps they were conflicted about this little harvest of grain on the sabbath but then again they were following the example of Jesus, their teacher. Perhaps they had peace in their hearts knowing that they were fueling their bodies to follow him on his mission. May we also seek the peace of Christ, the Bread of Life, and truly give our sabbaths over to him, regardless of the fields we find ourselves wandering through, trusting that he will give us the nourishment we require.
Prayer
God of truth and justice, you call us to hold your law firmly in our hearts—not only its words, but its spirit. Help us to let your law of love be imprinted on our hearts so that it may not be a second thought, but a fundamental norm. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. John of Nicomedia did everything he could to stop the persecution of Christians in the early Church, single-handedly standing up to the Roman Empire for the faithful.
When the emperor, Diocletian, published an edict against Christians, he had printed decrees posted in public places throughout the empire. In Nicomedia, which is in modern-day Turkey, these were placed in the forum.
One man, who is remembered as John, was incensed at the decrees and pulled them all down and tore them up. When authorities learned of this, they had John arrested and tortured. It is said that John was ready to receive their suffering and bore their punishment with courage. He was finally burned alive.
St. John of Nicomedia, you were not afraid to stand up to the empire to defend Christians—pray for us!