By William Selvaraj csc –
Readings: 1 Sam 16: 1-13; Mk 2: 23-28
Today we celebrate the memory of St. Margaret of Hungary, who was a Dominican nun, and lived an austere and holy life. Twenty-seven miracles are ascribed to her, including a case of awakening one from death. The first reading of the day speaks about anointing David as a king. The Lord does not judge as we judge. Humans see with their eyes, but the Lord sees the heart of the person. That is how God decided that from David’s stock Jesus would be born.
The gospel of the day stresses that the Sabbath was made for human beings and not human beings for the Sabbath (Mk 2: 27). Usually, Sabbath is the time kept aside to remember and celebrate God’s goodness and give him praise and worship. It is exclusively observed in Jewish tradition to take a rest from the daily routine and spend quality time with God.
Pharisees accused the disciples of Jesus for plucking and eating the corn. In our lives too, we get stuck with merely following the Sabbath and do not understand the real essence and meaning of Sabbath. Rules and regulations are good as long as it helps me to treat others well. Sometimes, I may be focusing on following the rules alone, which might make me lose sight of being sensitive to the needs of the people.
For instance, as I am in formation, if a poor or the needy comes to the house on Sunday or on a non-instructional day, if I say to them today is not the day to give medicine or ration, I am also becoming one among the Pharisees. Sabbath gives a chance to be more merciful, caring, and extend helping hands to others. Sabbath is never meant to oppress people and make their lives more difficult; rather, to be more compassionate towards all those who come into my life.