For Humankind

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 

For All Humankind

The beauty and love given
in a sunrise in the mountains
an evening strolls along the sand
a small face nestled and sleeping.

We are here to be the bearers
of light, love and hopefulness
to share our food and shelter
to judge no one for their lack.

Yet the world we inhabit
denies the basics to humankind
shames them for their circumstances
builds walls to keep them away.

Yet the Incarnate one broke
heads of grain and some sacred law
to feed the needs of frail humans
God among us, knowing our need.