Christian Art | Jesus’ Disciples Pluck Ears Of Corn | David And The Shewbread
Mark 2: 23-28 – Week 2 Ordinary Time, Tuesday (Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
In today’s Gospel verses, Jesus teaches that the Pharisees have got it all wrong in relation to the Sabbath. While God gave the Sabbath to man as an opportunity to rest and to devote himself to divine worship, the Pharisees have choked the meaning of the Sabbath in a mass of legalese, turning it from being a time of joy into a time of anxiety and empty observance.
Jesus plucks the ears of corn because he and his disciples are hungry. It is good for Jesus to feed himself and his disciples, and so also to demonstrate that it is good for us to satisfy our basic, natural needs. By doing so, Jesus demonstrates his authority in interpreting the law, and in correcting the errors of the Pharisees.
Jesus recalls the actions of the great King David, reminding the Pharisees how he took the bread of the Presence, the twelve loafs placed each morning on the table in the sanctuary, to feed himself and his companions. The connection is made between the great historical king and the new and eternal king, Jesus. The Pharisees are asked to look again at the rules they have inherited, and which they seek to enforce. They are confronted with an overturning of their claim to authority. The Sabbath was made for man, and therefore Christ is Lord also of the Sabbath.
FRET not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. (Psalm 37/36)
Concluding Prayer
True Light of the world, Lord Jesus Christ,
as you enlighten all men for their salvation,
give us grace, we pray,
to herald your coming
by preparing the ways of justice and of peace.
Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Audio Bible KJV | Endnotes
Jesus Says That David Ate The Shewbread
Jesus uses the story of David and the shewbread to teach his disciples meanings of the Sabbath.
David, on the run from Saul, went into the house of God and ate the shewbread, which was reserved for the priests alone. This act, which would normally have been considered sacrilegious, was justified by David’s need for sustenance.
The story of David is rich in symbolism and raises questions about the nature of the Law.
Pharisees have accused Jesus and Jesus’ disciples of breaking the Sabbath by picking and eating grain on the Sabbath day. In response, Jesus reminds the Pharisees of the story of David. Jesus then declares that he is Lord of the Sabbath, and so says that he Jesus has authority to interpret and apply the Law as he sees fit.
The story of David and the shewbread has broader implications for understanding of the Law and its relationship to mercy. In the Bible, the Law is presented as a necessary but imperfect tool for governing human behavior. It provides a framework for justice and righteousness, but it cannot account for all the complexities of human life. In the case of David, the Law forbade him from eating the shewbread, but David’s need for sustenance and loyalty to God overruled the Law. This suggests that there are times when mercy and compassion must take precedence over legalistic adherence to the Law.
The story of David and the shewbread also has implications for our understanding of the priesthood and its role in mediating between God and humanity. In the Old Testament, priests were responsible for offering sacrifices and performing other religious duties on behalf of the people. The priests were intermediaries between God and humanity, and the priests had exclusive access to certain holy objects, such as the shewbread. David’s actions challenged this exclusive role, suggesting that God’s grace and mercy are available to all, regardless of their status or position.
Saint Augustine saw in David’s actions a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, which also involved a breaking of the law for the sake of mercy. Martin Luther emphasized the story’s implications for understanding the relationship between faith and works, arguing that David’s actions were an expression of his faith in God’s mercy.
Central to the story is tension between obedience to the Law and needs of the individual. The Law, given by God, is to guide and govern human behavior, but can be inflexible and harsh, and indeed without Jesus. David’s actions demonstrate the importance of balancing obedience to the law with compassion for those in need. In David’s case, the need for food outweighed the prohibition against eating the shewbread.
This tension between obedience to the law and needs of the individual is reflected in the New Testament. Jesus frequently challenged the legalism of the religious leaders of his day, arguing that love and compassion should be the guiding principles of human behavior. Jesus overturned established traditions and practices, such as the Sabbath laws, in order to prioritize the needs of individuals.
David’s actions have implications for our understanding of sin and redemption. David’s actions could be seen as sinful, as David broke the law and acted in a way that was not in keeping with the established religious practices of his day. However, David’s actions were also an expression of his loyalty to God and his trust in God’s mercy.
Jesus expresses a renewed relationship with God while teaching of David’s hunger and his – David’s eating the shrewbread.
The story of David and the shewbread challenges our understanding of the Law and its relationship to mercy. In the Old Testament, the Law was given as a framework for justice and righteousness. However, as Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote: ‘The Law was given to men, not as a bond of servitude, but as a guide to freedom.’ The Law was meant to be a tool for humans to use in their journey towards God, but it was not meant to be a burden or a barrier. David’s actions demonstrate the importance of balancing obedience to the Law with compassion for those in need.
Furthermore, the story challenges our understanding of the priesthood and its role in mediating between God and humanity. As the Catechism Of The Catholic Church explains: ‘Christ is the one mediator between God and man.’ The priesthood is meant to be a continuation of Christ’s ministry, not a replacement. David’s actions suggest that God’s grace and mercy are available to all, regardless of their status or position.
Saint Augustine saw in David’s actions a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, which also involved a breaking of the Law for the sake of mercy. Saint Augustine wrote: ‘The Lord Christ is both the David who ate the bread and the bread which he ate.’ Just as David broke the Law for the sake of his hunger, Christ broke the Law for the sake of humanity’s salvation.
In the quiet of the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, experiencing his bond with his Father. Jesus humbly accepted God the Father’s plan, even knowing the suffering ahead. Jesus’ mission was to bring salvation through sacrifice. Jesus cared for his disciples, urging them to pray together for strength. An angel comforted Jesus, expressing divine support. Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane teaches us to pray, to seek God’s will and trust in God’s purpose, to find courage in our faith [ … ]
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Capuchin friar who lived from 1887 to 1968. He is renowned for his piety, his stigmata, and his gift of healing, and has become a beloved figure in the Christian world. Born into a devout Catholic family in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903 and was ordained a priest in 1910. He spent much of his life as a humble friar, dedicated to prayer, the sacraments, and the service of others. Padre Pio’s most famous spiritual gift was the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ that he bore on his hands, feet, and side. He experienced this phenomenon for over 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968. While some were skeptical of his wounds, many believed them to be a sign of his profound union with Christ and his participation in the suffering of the crucified Christ. In addition to his stigmata, Padre Pio was also known for his gift of healing. Many people came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and he prayed over them, sometimes prescribing special devotions or treatments. While some were healed miraculously, others did not experience a physical cure, but nonetheless found comfort and peace through his intercession. Padre Pio’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his love for others. He spent long hours in prayer, often in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and had a deep appreciation for the power of the Eucharist. He also had a special love for the Virgin Mary, whom he called his ‘Heavenly Mother’, and encouraged others to pray the Rosary. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his influence has spread far beyond Italy. He is remembered for his holiness, his humility, and his profound union with Christ, as well as for his compassion and concern for the sick and suffering. Christians of all denominations continue to look to him as a model of faith and devotion to God. Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Healing Saint Padre Pio is renowned for his gift of healing, which he used to help countless people throughout his life. He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of placing our trust in God, even in the face of illness and suffering. In James 5:16, we are reminded that ‘the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Padre Pio’s life was a testament to the truth of this verse, as he interceded for those who came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. One of the most striking examples of Padre Pio’s healing ministry was the case of Gemma Di Giorgi, a young girl who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her parents brought her to Padre Pio, who prayed over her and blessed her with the sign of the cross. To the amazement of her doctors, Gemma’s condition began to improve, and she was eventually healed completely. In addition to physical healing, Padre Pio also believed in the importance of emotional and spiritual healing. He often spoke of the need for repentance and conversion, and encouraged his followers to turn to God with contrite hearts. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Padre Pio understood that true healing involves not only the body, but also the soul. For those who are in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Saint Padre Pio can serve as a powerful intercessor. He believed in the importance of prayer and the power of God’s grace to heal even the most difficult of cases. Through his intercession, we can ask God for the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles, knowing that we are never alone and that God’s healing love is always with us. So let us pray: ‘Saint Padre Pio, you who had a deep faith in God and a profound love for your fellow human beings, we turn to you in our time of need. We ask for your intercession on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering, that they may be healed in body, mind, and spirit. We ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles with faith and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness to all who seek it. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us, and lead us to the healing grace of God. Amen.’ Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Peace Saint Padre Pio was a man of peace, who lived his life in the service of God and his fellow human beings. He believed that peace was not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of inner harmony that could only be achieved through a deep and abiding relationship with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Padre Pio understood the importance of this peace, and dedicated his life to helping others find it. One of the ways that Padre Pio fostered peace was through his ministry of reconciliation. He encouraged those who came to him to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that this was the first step towards inner peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Padre Pio believed that this was not just a call to be a mediator in conflicts between […]
The psalm begins with a call to the soul: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.’ It is a direct plea for a genuine, heartfelt response, extending beyond mere words to the very core of one’s being. The repetition of this call reinforces the psalmist’s determination not to forget the benefits received from the Lord [ … ]
