1st Reading: Heb 6:10-20
Gospel: Mk 2:23-28

One sabbath he was walking through grainfields. As his disciples walked along with him, they began to pick the heads of grain and crush them in their hands. Then the Pharisees said to Jesus, "Look! They are doing what is forbidden on the sabbath!" And he said to them, "Have you ever read what David did in his time of need, when he and his men were very hungry? He went into the house of God when Abiathar was High Priest and ate the bread of offering, which only the priests are allowed to eat, and he also gave some to the men who were with him." Then Jesus said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. So the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath."

Here we have the disciples of Jesus picking corn on the Sabbath day, thus violating the Sabbath laws. They were questioned about this and then Jesus clarified the value of the Sabbath day by declaring, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath." In other words, God's intent was that a day be set aside for physical relaxation and spiritual renewal for man's benefit, not for man's bondage! The Sabbath is still a diving institution; a privelege and benefit, not a task and drudgery. God never designed it to be a burden to us; therefore we must not make it so to ourselves. The Sabbath was instituted for the good of mankind, as living in society, having many wants and troubles, preparing for a state of happiness. We are not made for the Sabbath, as if the keeping of it could be of service to God, nor are we commanded to keep its outward observances, if the hurt us. Even today, the practice we follow of observing the Sabbath, or going to church on Sundays, is to be interpreted according to the rule of mercy and moderation.