Daily Gospel Reflection for January 16, 2018

Today's Gospel: Mark 2:23-28 The Sabbath is one of the most misunderstood gifts that we are given as Christians. In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees are so caught up on the rules that they missed the blessing of the Sabbath. Jesus’ disciples were hungry and they decided to grab some food on their journey. The Pharisees were more concerned with the disciples breaking the rules than looking at the need that was in their faces. The disciples were hungry and the Pharisees did not care about the disciples’ hunger. Does this sound familiar? Sometimes we get so caught up in our routines that we miss out on what is really needed for the situation. Our view of the Sabbath (rest) is often one extreme or another. Some people view the Sabbath as a strict code of ethics; they do NOTHING on the Sabbath. On the flip side, I know believers that never rest on the Sabbath. They push through their day of rest and just get stuff done. The Sabbath ends and they have no idea where the day went. The Sabbath is made for man (and woman). We must acknowledge the Sabbath because it is made for our restoration. If our own Savior needed to rest and rejuvenate, then we too must practice this spiritual discipline. Avoid the need to be productive on the Sabbath; take a break. Avoid the need to check out completely on the Sabbath; be present with Jesus and others.