GOSPEL READING Mk 2:23-28
Jesus enters into a controversy with the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath rule. Sabbath rule was very strictly followed by the Jews and particularly the Pharisees. Observance of the Sabbath rule was a sign of the fidelity of Jews to the promises made by God. It was a day of rest for them and it had a religious significance (as God rested and blessed the day after creation) but it also had a humanitarian significance (the slaves had their right for rest at least for a day in a week).
Though Jesus accepted the religious significance yet he gives importance to the humanitarian significance. The example of David is a clear indication for this. The person is more important than the rules and the rules themselves are made for the sack of man and rules are to assist man rather than man to be a slave of the rules.
