The argument in the gospel passage is albeit a weak one, but it makes a necessary point: Jesus subordinates the Sabbath to himself – thus subordinating the entire old Law to himself. David and his men did not enter the sanctuary on the Sabbath; therefore, the eating of the bread was not the same as breaking Sabbath rules of work…but the point remains: the whole law resides in Jesus – and the way he dealt with it and passed it on to others is what is important for us to know about and incorporate into our own lives.
The ones first chosen to pass on such teachings, and all of the teachings of Jesus, were the apostles – who – as we see in the first reading – were certainly the last of all – they were like people sentenced to death! For those who took what the apostles had to offer and lived it out: life, spiritual life, was very good – faith truly did work and paid off nicely in day to day activities; but for the deliverers of the grace of God – it was not always so easy: they were very poorly treated, they wandered about homeless, they were ridiculed, and persecuted!
However, when they were treated thus, the apostles countered with kindness, and blessing and endurance – by the working of the Holy Spirit within them.
Even in our day, the bishops of the Church can suffer persecution for saying and doing the right thing; but this ought not stop them – for they have the same commission from Christ as the first apostles: spread the faith to the ends of the earth!
May we call upon the Lord today to fill us with spiritual nourishment, and may we ask his blessings on those who deliver it!
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