Gospel: Mark 2: 23-28
A great deal of the ethical life involves the discernment of competing duties we have that come into conflict with one another. We have many duties in life and we often have to decide which one takes priority. You have a sick child at home in need of care; you also have to go to work - which do you choose? Only an ogre would demand you work and neglect your child.
This is the issue we face in today's Gospel. The disciples have a duty to nourish and sustain their lives; they also have the duty to obey Sabbath laws. Which do you choose when they compete with one another? We choose life. In every instance when Jesus is faced with the choice to heal and preserve life on a Sabbath versus obeying the Sabbath law of work, he always chooses life.
The example of Jesus provides us with a tool of discernment for us when faced with these ethical dilemmas of competing duties. In every instance we are to choose life and whatever nourishes, protects, and enables human life to flourish.
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