Understanding the Meaning of the Sabbath

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Readings: Hebrews 6:10-20; Psalm 111:1-2, 4-5, 9, 10c; Mark 2:23-28

Picky, Picky, Picky

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.

Path and Grain

They made a path while picking the heads of grain. This phraseology is unique to the gospel of Mark even as the story is common between the three Synoptic gospels).

Jesus said of David, David was in need and he and his companions were hungry. Although the Show Bread should only to be consumed by the priests (who lawfully eat), he nevertheless shared it with his companions.

And Jesus didn’t have a problem with it.

Sabbath Chains or Sabbath Freedom

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

It is clear this story is as much active today as in the time of Jesus.

In what ways have we turned the Sabbath, the Temple and the Worship into chains of oppression? We do it otherwise the story would not be in sacred scripture.

The disciples picked a path and the grain (in moderation and for good purpose) in a like way to David. And they were justified.

AI Overview – search was “theology unlawful and valid”

I love AI – amazing stuff. The problem the gospel story is expressing is the problem of understanding lawful and unlawful with valid and invalid.

In theology, particularly within the Catholic tradition, “unlawful” and “valid” are distinct concepts, meaning an action can be considered “valid” (producing the intended effect) even if it is performed in an “unlawful” or “illicit” manner, meaning it was done outside of the proper procedures or by an unauthorized person; essentially, the act itself is considered to have taken place, but it may not have been done correctly according to the established rules.

It’s time again to realign our lawful and valid concepts with proper intentions: Sabbath rest.

Caveats

The entirety of the observation is in regards to the rest of the Sabbath. REST. REFRESHMENT. CARE. SAVING BALM. It is not merely a memorial of the creative acts of God and appreciation of His benevolence. Those things are true, yes. It is the SABBATH actions of Jesus that rephrases the question. He goes beyond to describe Sabbath work: love, raising up, giving life, right judgment and honor (see study on the gospel of John here: ).

Jesus approves this message.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012125.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry