Grain and Healing

One sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields; 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 

My week at camp is almost over and I have been touched by the staff here over and over again. They take their role in others' lives very seriously. They care for each other, the kids and the adults all with the same care and concern. Like a big extended family, they find ways to include one another and to make sure folks are comfortable and welcome. There's little judgment, a lot of laughter and a sense of belonging for everyone. The beauty here - the gorgeous spot on the lake and the beauty of the people make this a "thin" place, a place where we can all sense the closeness of heaven to earth.

Jesus let his disciples pick the groan and eat on the Sabbath, much to the consternation of the religious leadership. He also healed a man on the Sabbath too. They were furious with him for violating religious laws while missing the blessing of food and healing that was made manifest through him. They were in a thin place and missed the blessing by being caught up in the rules. We are invited to move beyond rules and judgment so that people can be fed and made whole.,

I ask God to help me remember my learnings from this place, May we model and share the love we have been given and share the closeness of heaven to earth today,