Today’s Gospel:  Luke 6:1-5

REFLECTION
The situation of today’s Gospel was the time when the corn was ripe. The objection raised by the Pharisees was shallow and trivial; their murmurings were based not on the laws of God but upon the traditions of the fathers. Deuteronomy 23:25 says, “When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour’s standing corn.” It was not illegal to pluck the corn when this was needed for food; it would have been stealing and unjustifiable interference to begin cutting the corn of another farmer. However, during the passing of the centuries, the Pharisees had obscured the true meaning of the law, stating that the act of rubbing out corn in one’s hand constituted work, and since the law commanded that no work should be done on the Sabbath, this was prohibited. By the same standards, the breaking of a piece of bread would have been illegal; the carrying of food to animals, or the milking of cows would have been violations of the divine code. The objection of these men indicated they were more concerned with accusing Christ than obeying God.

“And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungered, and they which were with him; How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath (vv. 2–5).”

The original version “Oude touto anegnote” has been rendered, “Not even this did ye read... ?” The Lord might have argued with them concerning the accuracy of their statements, but instead, in one devastating question He revealed their ignorance, not only of the letter of the word, but also of its meaning. The Author of the Word was greater than His works. The scriptures were second only in importance to Him Who breathed life into the written characters. It was possible to become a slave to commandments; and yet at the same time to be out of harmony with the Spirit of Him who taught that God is love. Christ quoted from 1 Samuel 21:1–6, and revealed that the conduct of David rested upon this principle, that in exceptional cases, when a moral obligation clashes with a ceremonial law, the latter ought to yield. God gave the law that it should be a guide and not a slave master; a light shining in the darkness and not a chain binding one to a prison wall. Thus did Christ indicate He was above the ceremonial dictates of the hierarchy. He was Lord of the universe; Lord of the sabbath, and the final authority in matters pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Today’s Reading:  1 Cor 4:6-15

PRAYER
Lord, grant that we may not be narrow-minded that we fail to see the simplicity and beauty of your Good News.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.