Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of
the Second Week in Ordinary Time (II) (19th January, 2016) on the
Gospel
1Sam 16:1-13;
Ps 88:20-22.27-28 (R. v.21);Mk 2:23-28.
Topic: Sabbath was made for humankind.
In today’s gospel, Jesus’ disciples plucked heads of grain as
Jesus went through the grain fields. The Pharisees frowned at it as unlawful on
the sabbath. Jesus reminded them what happened when Abiathar was high priest. David
and his men entered the house of God when they were hungry and in need of food.
They ate the bread of the Presence which was lawful for priests alone. Jesus concluded
with this popular verse: “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind
for the sabbath ...” (Mk 2:27).
What worried the Pharisees was the observance of the sabbatical
laws. The welfare of the people means little or nothing to them.
We are in a society full of assorted laws – religious, civil,
group, family, and so on. Some of these laws have no other reason why they still
exist other than that they were handed down by forefathers, cf. Matt 15:2; Mk 7:5. Many of these laws have
little or nothing to contribute to the good of humans. And some are truly
burdens and instruments of oppression.
It is disheartening that many are either afraid, or
unconcerned, or too weak to take stand against unjust laws. Today’s gospel
challenges us to see that laws are for the good of the people. Even the ten
commandments of God are for our good. God delights in our welfare cf. Ps 35:27.
Bible Reading: 1Cor 10:23–11:1.
Thought for today: Laws are for the good of the people.
Let us pray: Eternal lawgiver, help those who
make laws and those who apply them to work for the common good – Amen.
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