Sabbath

And it came to pass again, as the Lord walked through the corn fields on the sabbath, that his disciples began to go forward, and to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said to him: Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said to them: Have you never read what David did when he had need, and was hungry himself, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God, under Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the loaves of proposition, which was not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave to them who were with him? And he said to them: The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. Therefore the Son of man is Lord of the sabbath also.
Mark 2:23-28 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we've gotten to the point that we no longer rest on the sabbath. It's become just another day in the life of many. Granted, many follow the observances of attending Mass but it stops there. How many go off to work and earn a living because they don't have a choice. We have turned the sabbath and made it for us to continue being a busy people. But the sabbath was made for man for a purpose, to gather together in unity with one another and give back to God what he so lovingly gave us, life and a world to live in, in harmony with those we come across. To come together in prayer and thanksgiving, in praise for the love God bestows on us. But it is only, mind you, only one day that we take the time out of our busy lives and pray as a family united together. What a big family we have when we are all together to honor God and rest with Him. That alone shows our love for Him.

Sabbath

And he was teaching in their synagogue on their sabbath. And behold there was a woman, who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years: and she was bowed together, neither could she look upwards at all. Whom when Jesus saw, he called her unto him, and said to her: Woman, thou art delivered from thy infirmity. And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

And the ruler of the synagogue (being angry that Jesus had healed on the sabbath) answering, said to the multitude: Six days there are wherein you ought to work. In them therefore come, and be healed; and not on the sabbath day.
And the Lord answering him, said: Ye hypocrites, doth not every one of you, on the sabbath day, loose his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead them to water?
And ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the things that were gloriously done by him.
Luke 13:10-17 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father you have brought healing to my soul each time I receive you in communion. Is not Sunday a Holy day then when we partake of the glorious gift of your Sons body and blood. Where we too also receive nourishment from your Holy Word. Just as the woman in this story was bent over from the evil that kept her bowed down, I too was this way and your healing touch brought me out of the depths of evil. Where I can stand straight and tall bearing witness to your divine love. May the Eucharist and the Mass be a source of healing for those who go seeking comfort from the many ills they suffer. May they find joy in receiving our Lord and also come to find rest on the day that was made Holy for them. Amen

Sabbath

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath.
His disciples were hungry
and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him,
“See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.”
He said to the them, “Have you not read what David did
when he and his companions were hungry,
how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering,
which neither he nor his companions
but only the priests could lawfully eat?
Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath
the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath
and are innocent?
I say to you, something greater than the temple is here.
If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
you would not have condemned these innocent men.
For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”
Matthew 12:1-8

Prayer

Dear Father we all work to some extent on the sabbath, whether it be making our meals or serving others in order to feed them. Your Priest serve us on the sabbath when we go to Mass and feed us the greatest gift of the Eucharist. Many do good works on the sabbath helping others, but many work for gain also. Jesus mentions that he desires mercy, not sacrifice and often we condemn what we do not always understand. Just as the Pharisees did to the disciples on the sabbath, they were ready to condemn because the law mentions it is unlawful. Dear Father you gave us your Son to have with us always on the sabbath, may we come to you through Him in the Eucharist. Amen