Sabbath is Made for Man
Brethren, how lucky must have been David, to be told by God, "I have found David, my servant." Imagine if God is telling you the same words, and indeed he told you and at the time we were baptised, and recieved us both as his children and his servants to love him, serve him and at last be with him in heaven. This was the same way David was chosen after unexpected anointing by Samuel as we see in the first reading. David, though found by God, was not perfect, but he kept on realizing that he was a sinner and came back to God and God forgave him. The good deeds of David that were sustained gave him and his followers the privilege to eat the meal of the High Priests. This the same David that Jesus quotes in the gospel today, who entered the sanctuary with his men and ate the bread that was only eaten by only priests (1 Samuel 21:1-6). Jesus uses this example to teach us that Sabbath was made for man not man made for Sabbath. This was because the Pharisees had taken law of Sabbath to be a law of oppressing people and a scape goat from doing works of charity. God can waive laws in order to see us saved. We in turn must not be inhumanly strict.
The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. However, the pharisaic zeal for the ritual observance blinded them from the demands of charity. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was given for our benefit, to refresh and renew us in living for God. It was intended for good and not for evil. Withholding mercy and kindness in response to human need was not part of God’s intention that we rest from unnecessary labor.
Jesus was teaching us about the meaning of the Sabbath. If we were made for the Sabbath, we are meant to serve it, respect it, and honor it. But Jesus tells us that the Sabbath was made for us. This means that our Sunday observances–Mass attendance, time with family, rest, and refreshment–are supposed to help us grow in holiness, in our relationship with God. How well do we observe the Sabbath?
Reflect today on the fact that Sabbath is made for us not us for Sabbath. May this make you use your Sabbath to grow closer to God and pray that you may not misuse by the fact that it is made for us.
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, may I give you fitting honor in the way I live my life and in the way I treat my neighbor. May I honor the Lord's Day as a day holy to you. And may I always treat others with the same mercy and kindness which you have shown to me. Free me from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may always seek the good of my neighbor. Amen
Be blessed.
No comments:
Post a Comment