After being questioned about fasting, Jesus is once again confronted by the Pharisees. Jesus' disciples had been making a path through a cornfield by picking the corn, something which broke the Sabbath in the opinion of the Pharisees.
But Jesus cites a passage from 1 Samuel about David and defends his disciples. From this we glean the importance of a good pastor or leader or director in the Church. He must account for the actions of all his disciples. Above all, he or she must love them.
What he says next is even more revealing: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." With these words Jesus establishes the primacy of the person. A person's health and purpose were more important than the rules of the Pharisees.
Jesus then calls himself the "Son of Man." The notes tell us that this designation was primarily for Mark's Christian audience, and not for the Pharisees. In other words, it was for us. Why does Jesus call himself the Son of Man? It is the way he most frequently refers to himself in the Gospels. Perhaps it is because it is linked to his mission. Jesus was God; he became man to save man and draw man into His life as God. He can sympathize with our weaknesses because he was tested in every way, yet without sin. When the Word became flesh he became one of us, a son of man. Perhaps Jesus sees his human nature as a network of people, as a web of relationships. He had a human culture. Perhaps he is extending his connections beyond this culture by calling himself by a more universal name, since indeed he did come to take away the sins of the world.
Lord Jesus, help us to remember the primacy of the person with all their God-given dignity. Have mercy on us in our weaknesses and lead us to the Father's will in every circumstance of our lives, so that we may live as God intended.
Mary, tower of David, help us to hunger always for the true Bread of Life, the Eucharist. Help us to see ourselves as related to our fellow man, remembering his or her dignity. Give us your humble courage to allow ourselves to be led by God and his Church.
the Son of man..I never stopped to think about that phrase simple as it is.,and a person's health and purpose is more important then the rules of the Pharisees.I think religion and rules can hinder spirituality sometimes.
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