Lord Of Every Day

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of it, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” (Luke 6:1-5)

Who or what do we obey: the Lord or Church teachings?  There are times when both seem to say something different.  On the sabbath the Pharisees saw something “unlawful,” so they were critical.  David countered with his eating the priests’ bread of offering and correctly responding: “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” Are we Pharisees or David?  At times, it can be hard to decide.

When do we know what is right and just and then act accordingly even if it might not seem or be consistent with Church teaching?  Frankly, when I’m faced with this sort of conundrum I try to base my decision on love, compassion, and mercy.  I don’t always succeed.  Nevertheless, this threesome helps guarantee a clear conscience and provides a reminder that the Son of Man is the lord of every day.  

Deacon David Pierce