Faith Daily | 4 September 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p576

Lord of all power and might,

the author and giver of good things:

create in our hearts the love of your name,

increase in us true religion,

nourish us with all goodness,

and of your great mercy keep us in the same;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 6: 1-5

One sabbath while Jesus was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. 2But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” 3Jesus answered, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?” 5Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Mary Rose

One sabbath while Jesus was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” Jesus answered, Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the presence, and gave some to his companions?” Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Again Jesus is attacking the Pharisees for their legalism and their failure to know the scriptures! It is the Sabbath and the disciples are hungry so they pick off the heads of grain, rub them to remove the chaff and eat the grains. The Pharisees see this as harvesting, winnowing and preparing food; all forbidden under their legalistic definition of work which was illegal on the Sabbath! Indeed they had thirty-nine things which were defined as work by their definition.

Jesus points out that David, a hero to the Jews, even went into the house of God and ate the bread which was for the priests only. He also gave some to his hungry companions.

What exactly did the ten commandments say about the Sabbath?

‘Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.” (Exodus 20.1-11)

Seems simple , keep the day holy and rest from your work, until the Pharisees wanted a legal definition of work. Legalism is used both by the law maker and those wishing to find a loophole. Jesus puts them right by declaring that ‘he is the Lord of the Sabbath’! He knows what was intended.

FINAL PRAYER: – Adapted from David Adam “Even More Themed Intercessions”

Lord, bless the world with your peace,

the peace that it cannot achieve on its own.

We pray for peace between nations and peoples.

We ask your blessing upon all peacemakers

and the work of the United Nations.

As we remember the people of Afghanistan

we pray for all who live in fear for their lives;

all who have lost confidence in themselves

or the world around them.

Lord, be known among us and make haste to help us.

Lord, bless all who feel restricted

by what is happening around them.

We remember all who live in violent places.

We ask your blessing upon all who are ill

or who have been injured through accidents,

and upon those who care for them.

Lord, give them courage and hope in their troubles.

Lord, be known among us and make haste to help us.

Lord, bless our homes and our families

with the joy of your presence.

May our homes be ever open to you and your love.

We remember today all who suffer

and ask your blessing upon all who live

amid strife and fear and all who are unable to rejoice

in life. Bring your justice and peace.

Lord, be known among us and make haste to help us.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.