Homily For Tuesday of The Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 16th January, 2024

Readings: 1Sam. 16:1-13; Ps. 89; Mark 2:23-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

LAWS ARE MADE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF MAN AND NOT MAN FOR THE LAWS

 

There is no doubt that human life is guided by laws and principles, for in their absence we cannot survive or enjoy peace and harmony in our society. But it is so sad to say that we have lost the essence and spirit that governs the making of law, its interpretation and application. Little wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today teaches us about the essence of making laws.

 

This is clear from the response of Jesus when the Pharisees criticized the attitude of his disciples who on the Sabbath were seen plucking ears of corn to eat because they were very hungry. This is so because the Pharisees emphasized on strict keeping of the law of the Sabbath while neglecting the spirit of the law which has to do with God’s love and mercy.

 

Thus, for the Pharisees, this would be a transgression of the law of the Sabbath which prohibits one from doing any work. Jesus responded by quoting the scriptures to indicate that their arguments have no basis. He recalls that David himself did something which was prohibited because he took the sacred bread of the temple and gave it to the soldiers to eat because they were hungry. Jesus ends his response with two important phrases: first, the Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Secondly,  the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.

 

The truth is that the Sabbath was meant to be a day of rest when people would be free from work so as to think of God, to give thanks to God for his gifts, and to take care of their health and well-being. For laws are made for the well-being of man and not man for the law. However, some religious authorities gradually encroached on the Sabbath with so many regulations that it is no longer serving its true purpose. This is because they have failed to look at the true meaning of human life and the things that surround us.

 

But God will always remind us of the true meaning of life. And this he demonstrated in our first reading today, where we heard how Samuel saw the awesome appearance of Eliab and intended to anoint him but the Lord said: take no notice of his appearance or his height for I have rejected him; God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart. Thus, David was chosen and anointed.

 

Dear friends, the Lord does not look at the outward appearance of our lives, rather he looks at the purity of our hearts. For the Lord made laws for the good of the people, but often we find ourselves seeking more recognition by exercising too much control over other people’s lives under the disguise of laws.

 

This should not be the case, rather, we should always consider the essence and purpose of making laws, bearing in mind that human basic needs which supersede all other human interests should be the guiding principle of any law both social and religious. In fact, the ritual demands of the Sabbath encourage mercy, forgiveness and compassion which are at the heart of any true religion. Therefore, as we make laws and implement them, let these principles be our guide.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, you often show the light of your truth to those who go astray, grant that we may always embrace your laws, interpret them properly and apply them with mercy and compassion. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.