How Shall We Keep the Sabbath?
Larry McGuire, president of seventy
One sabbath he 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.” -Mark 2:23-28
My family and I enjoyed a morning of worship, a picnic in a park with friends, and now we were invited to take a walk in a place of sanctuary-among the giant saguaro cactus. We began walking a path developed 50 years ago because of one man’s vision of sacred space. As we walked, we talked about the growth of the cactus and other vegetation. There were places to pause for reflection and for appreciation of the natural growth and beauty.
Our daughter and a friend started off on a different path. They wanted to explore something new. As they began to walk, one of our friends told them it was not a real path and they would probably need to come back and walk on the one we were walking. It looked like a path, but someone familiar with the sanctuary tried to guide them to the true path.
As Jesus was walking with his disciples through a field full of grain, they were questioned for the simple act of pulling grain to eat as they traveled. The query came from someone familiar with the Torah, someone intent on correcting the choice of Jesus’ disciples and trying to hold Jesus accountable for their actions. He was attempting to get the disciples on the correct path.
The man’s interrogation provided Jesus a new path to respond to the accusation that they were on the wrong path. Jesus’ response guided those questioners to see the things on that route which led to a new understanding. The opportunity to stop and explore a new understanding provided space to set aside distractions and walk the familiar path with new insights.
When we practice Sabbath rest, we are giving ourselves permission to explore new paths emerging before us. We are providing space for new insights to come as we pay attention to the space around us.
Prayer Phrase
Wherever I am, God is here.
Spiritual Practice
Breathe deeply and prayerfully consider the story you have just read. What is the Spirit’s invitation to you in these words? What does it look like to wake up to God’s presence in this moment?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
