Readings: Heb. 6:10-20, Ps. 110, Mark 2:23-28
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
THE LAW IS MADE OF MAN AND NOT MAN FOR THE LAW
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 laws, their 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 the strict keeping of the laws 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 to think of God, to give thanks for God’s gifts, and to take care of their health and well-being. However, some religious authorities gradually encroached on the Sabbath with so many regulations that it is no longer serving its true purpose.
Dear friends, how are we interpreting and implementing our religious and societal laws? Laws exist for the good of the people, but oftentimes, 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 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. For in our first reading, we were told that God would not be so unjust as to forget all we have done, the love that we have for his name or the services we have done and are still doing, for the saints. This is what we see in the life of St. Agnes, whose memorial we celebrate today.
LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, you often show the light of your truth to those who go astray. Grant through the intercession of St. Agnes 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. Have a blessed day.
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