One sabbath he was going through the cornfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?’ And he said to them, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.’ Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’ Again, he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come forward.’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?’ But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. Mark 2:23-3:6
There aren't too many times we see Jesus really angry, but this is one of them. The religious leaders were criticizing Jesus and his disciples for plucking grain on the sabbath. Even more so, the leaders were furious that he dared heal on the sabbath. They couldn't heal anyone, but they judged Jesus harshly and set out to destroy him. We humans are prone to criticize others, often out of jealousy and rarely righteously. He reminded them that the sabbath was made for mankind, so feeding and healing were in God's hope for the sabbath. May we in this time, be aware of our jealousy we might disguise as righteousness, and feed and care for the people, every day.
Tender Creator, you set aside time for our rest
and want the best for all of us in this creation
you are with us in the days that challenge us
and lead us all into the light of your love.
We like to act superior and righteous to others
yet we are frail and flawed being full of fear
we cover our fear with rage and cruel judgment
forgetting that you call us all to serve our neighbors.
Lord, have mercy on our fragile and fearful hearts
and install you love and fearlessness within
help us to feed the hungry and heal the broken places
so the world might see your love in action today. Amen.