Akhsi Wary csc –
Readings: Heb 6:10-20; Mk 2:23-28
In the gospel we hear, Jesus defending the disciples who were pulling off heads of grain on the sabbath. Jesus gives the example of King David and says “the sabbath was made for the human family, we were not made for the sabbath”. God commanded His people to “remember the
sabbath day to keep it holy.” The Scribes and Pharisees in the gospel seems to have a narrow understanding of this command. They failed to grasp the true meaning and value of sabbath. Sabbath, a day of rest, to praise and worship God together as family, to recall God’s healing,
liberation and His goodness done to all humanity.
But here we see Scribes and Pharisees give more important to the external conditions and forget the true meaning of the sabbath. What makes them holy is strict observation of the laws. It is true that we need to keep the laws for maintaining order in the society. But if they don’t help anyone it is good for nothing.
Through the reading today we are made aware once again that we too at times fail to understand God’s teachings. Lost and carried by this alluring world, we give more priority to external matters and appearances. Therefore, Jesus today through the gospel invites us to understand that human needs take priority over our rituals and external matters.
Our rituals are important, but all customs and rituals are to help and make us move towards God and for the benefit of his people. If not so, it is not true custom or rituals. For, human being is more important than our rituals, our love for religions and God is expressed in how we treat and respect one another in our daily living. We as Christians are to be recognized through our love in action.