Mark 2:23-28

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Psalm 89:20, 21-22, 27-28

Mark 2:23-28

As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath,

his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.

At this the Pharisees said to him,

“Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

He said to them,

“Have you never read what David did

when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?

How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest

and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat,

and shared it with his companions?”

Then he said to them,

“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.

That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

Opening Prayer: Lord, you anointed David as the king over your people. You called him to a lofty mission and accompanied him every step of the way. Enlighten the eyes of my heart today, that I may know what is the hope that belongs to my call. Strengthen me as you strengthened your servant, David.

Encountering the Word of God

1. David is Anointed King: King Saul was prideful and disobedient and separated himself from God’s friendship through his sins. Because of Saul’s disobedience, the Lord commanded Samuel to anoint a new king for Israel in the town of Bethlehem. God saw the heart of Saul and judged him unworthy to lead his people. As well, God saw the heart of David and sent his Spirit upon the young boy. David was tending the sheep before he was anointed. This foreshadows his future service as king. Authority is not given by God for earthly gain and privilege. Those in authority are called to serve and dedicate their life to others. 

2. Jesus as the New David: In the Gospel, Jesus refers to David and the episode where his men ate the bread of the presence in the house of God. Jesus indicates that he and his disciples are superior to David and his companions. The Gospels point to Jesus as the New David in many ways. Both were born in Bethlehem. Both were anointed. Both were persecuted. Both were kings. The descent of the Spirit upon David looks forward to the anointing of Jesus in the Spirit at his Baptism. Just as Samuel anointed David, John the Baptist, who is a new Samuel figure, anointed Jesus in the Jordan River. David was King over Israel. Jesus reigns as king over all creation.

3. Jesus Warns the Pharisees: When Jesus refers to Abiathar in the Gospel, he is not making a mistake as to who the high priest was at the time. Rather, he is giving a warning to the Pharisees. He tells them implicitly that just as Saul persecuted David, they are doing the same to him. He is reminding them that Abiathar was the last of Eli’s line to serve as the high priest and that the high priesthood was given to Zadok, a faithful priest. Just as the leadership of Israel passed from Saul to David and the priesthood from Abiathar to Zadok, the current leadership of Israel will be taken from the Pharisees and chief priests in Jerusalem and given to Jesus’ disciples, who are called to shepherd the New Israel and to be faithful and merciful priests.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, your ancestor, David, was truly your servant. He wasn’t perfect and yet you chose him, called him, anointed him, and strengthened him. He was a man after your own heart who experienced your merciful love. I have heard your call and want to be faithful and experience your mercy.

Resolution: The Gospel today mentions the Bread of Offering that was housed in the Tabernacle of Moses and in the Temple of Solomon. We should remember that we have something far superior to the Bread of Offering. We have the gift of the Eucharist, the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. The Bread of the Offering was a sign of God’s love for the twelve tribes of Israel. The Eucharist is a powerful sign but also the reality of our communion with God. Let us receive this gift today in a spirit of humble gratitude and love.