Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Sabbath is Made for Man
Brethren, in God, nothing about us is forgotten, except our sins, through His mercy. This is why the Book of Hebrews tells us that our good efforts and deeds can never be forgotten. Our every good deed for God and His Church will be repaid. This is how God repaid Abraham, fulfilling the promises He had made him. It is not our past good deeds that give our present blessings, but the good deeds we have continued to do in perseverance. The good deeds of David that were sustained gave him and his followers the privilege to eat the meal of the High Priests. God can waive laws to see us saved. We in turn must not be inhumanly strict.
What does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us? Or better yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders confronted Jesus on this issue. 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.
When Jesus' disciples picked the heads of grain and started eating on the Sabbath, the Pharisees scolded them. Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom using the example of David.
When David and his men were fleeing for their lives, they sought food from Ahimelech the priest (1 Samuel 21:1-6). The only bread he had was the holy bread offered in the Temple. None but the priests were allowed to eat it. In their hunger, David and his men ate of this bread. Jesus uses this example to teach us that the Sabbath was made for man, not man made for the Sabbath. This was because the Pharisees had taken the law of Sabbath to be a law of oppressing people and a scapegoat for doing works of charity.
The Pharisees did not recognise the claims of mercy over rules and regulations. Their zeal for 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 needs was not part of God's intention that we rest from unnecessary labour.
By this, Jesus taught us about the real meaning of the Sabbath: Sabbath is made for man, not man made for Sabbath. If we were made for the Sabbath, we are meant to serve it, respect it, and honour 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 and 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.
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