Rest on Sabbath – Reflection on Matthew 12:1-8 ~
Decades of finding a consistent way to rest on sabbath is still elusive. After Mass, my wife and I try to separate from the daily routines to do something peaceful together or spend time with family or friends. However, sometimes unfinished Saturday chores such as mowing the lawn creep into Sunday afternoon, and our chickens need daily care. Knowing it is a day of thanksgiving for the Lord and being aware that resting with God requires vigilance helps us to stop occasionally briefly what we are doing as people of faith. If we follow tradition, even when business or chores creep in, we should attempt to pray throughout the day. It is not the perfect solution, but those moments of finding quiet to be present in the surroundings in awe and wonder count. I believe what is essential is that Sabbath calls us to break free from restless routines to reflect on the mercy and love of the Lord.
The Disciples Eat Wheat on the Sabbath by James Tissot (full resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 12:1-10 – Scripture*
Plucking Grain on the Sabbath
12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 12:1-8 Reflection – Rest on Sabbath.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the Matthew 12 Bible passage.
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