Sunday 5th March 2000
Bishop’s Conference England & Wales : Cycle of Prayer: The unemployed

Theme: Jesus - Lord of the Sabbath - the one who sets us free.

A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy 5: 12 - 15
The observance of the Jewish Sabbath was very strictly applied. Thus the Lord’s Day was kept as a time for prayer, rest from work, and even it seems for spying on neighbours in case they should break the Sabbath rules. This reading sets the scene for what follows in the gospel today.

Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 4: 6 - 11
Paul is deeply aware of the sufferings he has undergone in his mission as an Apostle. He speaks of himself as an earthenware vessel, at the same time holding something most precious, and fragile. Were it not for the overwhelming power that comes from God, we would surely be overcome by the difficulties we encounter in our weakened state. Thus we carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our lives too!

The Gospel according to Mark 2: 23 - 3: 6
The actions of Jesus’ disciples in picking the ears of corn as they walked through the fields on the Sabbath would have been scandalous to the righteous observer of the Jewish Law. Challenged, Jesus uses this opportunity to show that he is greater than the Sabbath Lawmaker, that doing good, caring for the sick, that charity, is more important that simple observance of the Law. Here is manifest, Jesus as the Lord - even of the Sabbath.