Homily for Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

The Sabbath greeting among Jewish people is "Shabbat Shalom!" It holds a profound significance. Literally, it means "a peaceful Sabbath!" but it implies a prayer for the fullness of life, which cannot be accomplished solely by following fixed rules.

When Jesus' disciples were accused of breaking the Sabbath, Jesus, in his wisdom, provided a reassuring, common-sense answer supported by Scriptural proof.

His followers were plucking ears of grain and eating them, an action allowed on weekdays but not on the Sabbath. Jesus showed that this action may also be done on the Sabbath, recalling when David and his men received special permission to eat the Temple bread customarily reserved for priests. Authentic observance of the Law allowed for doing whatever was necessary to do the work of the Lord.