The sabbath was made for man

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Sm 16:1-13; PS 89:20, 21-22, 27-28; Mk 2:23-28

Notes

The sabbath was made for man. In our gospel portion today Jesus is supporting the 3rd Commandment in a particular way. Keep the Sabbath holy not because you were made to do so but because the commandment is a blessing given for you.

• We do not serve ideas. We serve people. – Pope Francis
• The Lord blesses everyone, everyone. – Pope Francis

The faithful will find God, “not by basking in some elegant religious theory, but by setting out on a journey, seeking the signs of his presence in everyday life, and above all in encountering and touching the flesh of our brothers and sisters,” Pope Francis said in his homily on the feast of the Epiphany. Reference: https://www.usccb.org/news/2024/faithful-must-put-jesus-not-ideology-spotlight-pope-says-epiphany

Cross Reference: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2021/01/19/unlawful/

Summary

On the top line of the sacred Scripture today we are given to be careful how we judge things. Samuel, tempted to guess the Lord’s pick for King from among the sons of Jesse was way off. He couldn’t resist in guessing and judging when all he was asked to do is to obey, listen and watch. Catastrophe was averted by his obedience. Imagine if he took matters into his own hands? The Pharisees fell into the mistake of judging superficially and without regard to the needs and blessings of the disciples.

Reflection

Application of the commandments is not a juridic command nor a juridic action. The commandments are designed for the blessing and aid for the human person to understand self and his relation with the Lord. Understood that way, as Jesus proposed, allows us to be free of misapplication of law. Divine law understood as an expression of love yields the conversion of souls.

Personal Reflection

I really work at being kind always. Because I believe as Pope Francis teaches. Forgive and bless. But then people must enter into conversation with the Lord’s blessing and see what path the Lord is proposing for them.” It’s their conversion not my action that matters. Love changes everything.

First Reading

But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” The LORD said, “There–anoint him, for this is he!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and from that day on, the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

Responsorial

I have found David, my servant.

Gospel Acclamation

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.

Gospel

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.

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.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry