Reflection
Today’s Gospel completes the five “conflicts” Mark’s Gospel records between the Pharisees and Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. The setting of today’s conflict, within the synagogue on the Sabbath, has a significance to be explored in this reflection.
The scribes and Pharisees wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God's law. In a few penetrating words Mark the Evangelist records that Jesus looked at them with anger, and grieved at their hardness of hearts (Mark 3:5). Jesus is angry because they were using their Jewish faith, and particularly the Law of Moses, for their own purpose rather than to give the people hope for a loving savior to come. He is grieving because they fail to recognize Him as that promised Messiah and fail to understand the New Covenant that is unfolding in their presence.
The legal scholars and religious-minded Jews were filled with fury and contempt for Jesus because they put their own thoughts of right and wrong above God. They were ensnared in their own legalism because they did not understand or see the purpose of God for the Sabbath commandment (remember the Sabbath day - to keep it holy - Exodus 20:8).. Jesus shows their fallacy by pointing to God's intention for the Sabbath: to do good and to save life rather than to do evil or to destroy life (Mark 3:3).
Since the time of the first Apostles, Christians have traditionally celebrated Sunday as the Lord's Day (Revelation 1:10; Acts 20:7; Luke 24:30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2) to worship together around the table of the Lord (the Eucharist or Lord's Supper) and to commemorate God's work of redemption in Jesus Christ and the new work of creation accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection.
Jesus’ teaching today has significance in how we see Sunday, our Sabbath day of rest. Taking "our sabbath rest" is a way of expressing honor to God for all that he has done for us in and through Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer. It is a day to remember the New Covenant Jesus established for all who have faith, a covenant of love, mercy and sacrifice. Taking "our sabbath rest" is a way of expressing honor to God for all that he has done for us in and through Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer.
Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection
Do you honor the Lord in the way you celebrate Sunday, the Lord's Day?
Source for today’s reflection: https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2026&date=jan21