Unlawful

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Heb 6:10-20; PS 111:1-2, 4-5, 9 and 10c; Mk 2:23-28

Three Days of Accusations

The readings of the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the 2nd week in ordinary time concentrate on the false accusations against God.

• Monday – Jesus confronted about his followers not fasting.
• Tuesday – Jesus confronted about his followers eating grain.
• Wednesday – Jesus confronted for his healing on the Sabbath.

Jesus replies in turn, Monday, knowing they do not understand who he is, this is the new wine of the Presence. They will one day fast (and mourn) when the bridegoom is gone. A fast of the heart not of the habit is a more profound fast.

I’ll cover Wednesday on… Wednesday.

Bread – Tuesday Accusation

Generally the view is Jesus’ disciples violated perhaps three expectations:
Traveling too far on the Sabbath.
Harvesting on the Sabbath.
Not resting on the Sabbath.

Jesus does not reply to the direct accusation because it actually is fine. Anyone is permitted to take a fistfull of grain from the fields to eat as they travel. It is a false accusation.

Jesus helps with a more substaintial claim of David eating the Holy Bread of the Temple. To repeat, Jesus gives them a more credible arguement to make. What about David (1 Sam 21:1-6)?

So many aspects to consider here!

• Holy Bread, the Bread of the Presence, to be given not just the priests but for many.
• Add Monday’s reading with the new Wine of the Presence (Bridegroom is present).
• David was revered so perhaps this was a legitimate use?
• New understanding of the Presence of Bread and Wine (Monday and Tuesday).

Jesus Teaches

The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.

Pope Francis

In his new, very readable book, Dare to Dream, Pope Francis describes how we need this type of breakout moment. Where we allow the Holy Spirit to reintegrate our understanding of holy and making room for new insights on the implementation of faith, liturgy and law.

That is not to say unintelligible or negation of divine law. Rather an opening for the Holy Spirit to provide a pathway forward.

Don’t be stuck in the unlawful – a judgment yielding no fruit. Instead we should focus on the Lord who orders all things, even the Sabbath, to the well-being of the human race.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry