Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” In today’s Gospel (Mark 2:23-28), Jesus is questioned about the Sabbath. God gave Moses the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath. This day was set aside for remembrance of our Lord. This is supposed to be a day for us to celebrate God’s gifts and graces he has given us. It is a day where we should praise God for all he has done for us. On this particular Sabbath, Jesus’ disciples were picking grain to eat and were challenged by the Pharisees. They said to Jesus, “Why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” Jesus uses the scriptures from the Old Testament to justify their actions. Jesus tells us it is more important for us to take care of our human needs then to practice ritual customs. Jesus tells the Pharisees that the Sabbath was designed to renew us and refresh us. Withholding our basic humanly needs was not the purpose. As Jesus told the Pharisees, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

A Simple Prayer

Lord, may I keep holy your day.

May I give the mercy and grace which you unconditionally give to me.

May I nourish my spiritual needs so I may grow in you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon