HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME

Homily for Tuesday of the 2nd week of ordinary time

Mark 2: 23-28

The Gospel of today's liturgy speaks of the disagreement that arose between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath. It says: "On the Sabbath, Jesus was going through the grain fields; and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of gain. The Pharisees said to him, Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" (Mk 2:23-24). 

Plucking heads of grain was not forbidden in the Jewish law rather putting out a sickle to your neighbour's standing grain (Deut 23:25). The substantial accusation of the Pharisees was not the above rather the plucking the heads of grain on a Sabbath day.  This is born out of the interpretation of the law which says: "Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord God. You shall not work...(Ex 20:8-10).

What constitute work for the Pharisees? Carrying something like a paper or the size of a passport, a needle, a cake of soap, bottle of balm and bottle of ointment for wound etc from one place to another already constitute work. For them, you can take your donkey to the field on the Sabbath to feed but you cannot give arms to your fellow han being on the sabbath. This way the Pharisees distorted the law of the Sabbath and heaped upon the people burdens they themselves could not carry. The Pharisees made the Sabbath day a burden for the people. 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, the response of Jesus re-established the essence of the Sabbath: "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath; the son of man is master even on the Sabbath " (Mk 2:28). 

The purpose of the Sabbath was for human salvation and welfare in all stratas of life. The Sabbath was for the service of humanity. Sabbath brings the salvation of God to humanity: healing, deliverance,  joy,  security, good health, fruitfulness, satisfaction, riches, blessings  etc. This is why Jesus who is master of the Sabbath said: "I have come not be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45).

However, a denial of welfare to humanity such as food to those who are hungry violates ideally the essence of the Sabbath. Hence, the Pharisees were guilty of condemning the disciples of Jesus for plucking heads of grain to eat on the Sabbath. The Pharisees lacked compassion in them and were blinded to the spirit of the Sabbath law. 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, it would be absolutely wrong for us to celebrate the day of the Lord on Sunday and yet not allow the spirit of the celebration to be operational in us. Hence, if we have received the salvation of God, let us share it with out brothers and sister. Beloved in Christ, how charitable and compassionate are we towards others who are in dire need of welfare? 

May Jesus, the master of the Sabbath continue to bring divine Providence upon the less privileged, the disadvantaged, the poor, the hungry, the sick, the destitues , widows and widowers, the orhans etc in our community. Amen 

Remian blessed

Fr Remi Osj