Missing the Point

Gospel: Mark 2: 23-28

Whenever we travel our routines are upset and we have to adapt.  We eat what is available to us and what is provided to us by others, which often is not our usual fare.  It may even deviate from disciplines of diet we have adapted.  However, we make these allowances because it is necessary for us to eat in order to carry on in the world.  We make no fuss about it with others because they are providing hospitality and care to us.  

In today's Gospel reading Jesus and his disciples are traveling and pluck some grain in order to eat along the way.  Such was often provided to travelers and to the poor.  However, the Pharisees object to this action because they regard it as working on the Sabbath.  We find their objection unreasonable based on our own human experience above.  Also, travel was prohibited on the Sabbath as well, as it is today, and clearly both Jesus and the Pharisees themselves are traveling in this story.  

The Sabbath was created to provide rest and to release people from burdens.  How often is it the case that religion has created burdens for people rather than ease them, as happens in this story and many others regarding the Sabbath in the Gospels.  To heal another, to liberate a person from their demons and burdens, to feed another person  are all noble deeds on any day, but especially on the Sabbath which was created for just such purposes.