Hungry Companions

 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

All grandchildren are a blessing. They remind me of the ever changing nature of life as well as the eternal. My youngest grand daughter is almost always busy and always ravenous. I was like that as a child as well.  She's the youngest and tries to keep up with the older ones. She loves simple things like cheerios and fruit. And if you do not feed her fast enough she gets pretty annoyed. Actually, I have learned that many people are easily cranky and annoyed when hungry. 

Jesus is criticized by the religious leaders for breaking the sabbath rules. These rules were set up so that people would set time apart, not do their normal tasks, and take the time to be with God and celebrate community. They were never designed to punish people. We humans can be so judgmental about such small things, never assessing the needs or the challenges people are facing. We are invited today to open our eyes and hearts to the needs of those around us.

Today, on this Sabbath, I ask God to help me, open my eyes and my heart. May we all feed those in need around us and get busy serving so that there is no time for judgement.