Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Steve Sveom.
This reading from Luke reveals a controversy between Jesus and some religious authorities. There was a rabbinic saying: “If Israel would keep only two Sabbaths as perfectly as they should be kept, then the Messiah would come.” Luke tells two stories, one after the other, of Jesus and the disciples “violating” the Sabbath provisions. Clearly, human work and efforts could not bring the Messiah. But Luke wants us to encounter the Messiah, Jesus, who is not focused on perfection but compassion for the hungry disciples and the physically needy man. God’s work is done in compassion that makes every day holy.
In 6:12-16 Jesus chose his disciples. But this essential and important step was preceded by prayer. Luke consistently highlights Jesus’ prayer at each key time in his life: he prayed while being baptized; he prayed as he began his active ministry and faced temptation; he prayed before he chose his disciples; he prayed before his Transfiguration; he prayed in Gethsemane before his passion; he prayed while on the cross. We would all do well to observe Jesus’ practice of prayer before any major decision or action.
Such prayer and compassion makes a day holy for us. According to Martin Luther in The Large Catechism, to keep a day holy is to “devote it to holy words, holy works, holy life. In itself the day needs no sanctification, for it was created holy. But God wants it to be holy to you.” Keeping the sabbath holy is not observing a day, but living a life of compassion and prayer.
Prayer: God of compassion, let us make each day holy in words, in works, in life so that we may live in the rest you want us to have. Strengthen us and let us know your grace today. Amen.