By the Rev. Elisabeth Hartwell
RCL Reflection, Proper 4, Pentecost 2, Year B
June 2, 2024
Key Verse: Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for humankind and not humankind for the Sabbath, so the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath. – Mark 2:27-28
Dear Fellow Preachers- Wow, that didn’t take long! Right off the bat in Mark’s Gospel, at the beginning of Chapter 2, Jesus starts arguing with the religious authorities. And he doesn’t stop until the beginning of Chapter 3.
First, the scribes object to Jesus’ healing of a paralyzed man (2:1-12); then the scribes of the Pharisees object that Jesus is eating with sinners and tax collectors (2:15-17); and then people challenge Jesus because they see John’s disciples and the Pharisees fasting, but Jesus’ own disciples do not fast (2:18-21). Finally, in 2:23-3:6 we see Jesus, over the course of two incidents, disagreeing with the Pharisees about how the Sabbath should be used.
As we observe these disagreements, we might tend to gloss over them as we cheer Jesus on for his defiance of outdated religious rules and customs. But, especially in our pericope for this coming Sunday, there’s much to glean from the differences in what each side believes about Sabbath observance. When it comes down to it, neither one is wrong; they simply have a difference of opinion. And when we look deeper at how differently they regard Sabbath observance, it can prompt us to explore our own use of the Sabbath. What does it mean to be faithful stewards of the Sabbath?
There are numerous ways we might explore this question as we preach. Here are a few:
— The religious authorities seem to believe that observing the Sabbath means refraining from certain things. On the contrary, Jesus asserts that Sabbath observance isn’t so much about avoiding work; rather using work in a way that glorifies God by caring for people. What are we meant to do as we observe a day of rest each week? Are we supposed to take a break from all work? Or is it more faithful to be intentional about using work to help others?
— In its original context, the Sabbath celebrated the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt. They could enjoy a day of rest because they had the autonomy to do so. In our Christian context, the Sabbath coincides with Sunday, or the day of resurrection. How can we use the Sabbath to emphasize and embody liberation, deliverance, and resurrection?
— If we believe that neither Jesus nor the religious authorities are necessarily wrong, but simply have a difference of opinion when it comes to Sabbath observance, how can this inform our own disagreements over matters of faith? What can we take away from Jesus’ perception of Sabbath observance? On the other hand, what salient points do the religious authorities make?
My fellow preachers, in our hurried, overcrowded, hectic lives, it is very easy to overlook Sabbath observance. In fact, often seems countercultural to claim a day of rest. How we engage our text this week can enable both us and our congregations to explore our use of the Sabbath, and how we might become faithful stewards of a day of rest. Of all the gifts in our lives, days of rest might very well be one of the most difficult to accept and use faithfully. Use this opportunity to dig deeper into just what it means to observe the Sabbath.
In Worship
I once heard that the most people who attend worship on a given Sunday morning almost didn’t make it to church. Other priorities beckoned, or they almost didn’t get out of bed, or it was almost too taxing to get their kids ready and out the door. Invite your congregants to reflect on why they felt it was important to come to worship, and what they gain from it. If worship is part of their Sabbath observance every week, why is it a priority? Everyone has their own motivation for coming to worship, and by asking “why” it might enable them to clarify what it is they believe about Sabbath observance.
Worship with Youth
Invite youth to consider why rest is important. Does resting simply mean curling up in their favorite PJs to take a nap? Or does resting mean finding ways to fill their tanks when they’ve become depleted? Sometimes, rest is more about renewal than anything else, and there are lots of ways to renew our energy and our faith. Invite youth to consider how they recharge their batteries when they’ve become depleted, especially when it comes to faith.
Worship with Children
Ask children what candy they love best. For me, it’s Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. But then, ask them what happens if they eat too much. For example, if they were to eat all of their Halloween candy at once, wouldn’t they become pretty sick? Suggest that doing things we love to do, and being active, is a bit like eating candy we enjoy. And yet, there comes a point where it’s a good idea to take a break. Rest is also important. Invite them to think of a time when they had done something they love to do, but then became really tired afterward. Just as it’s important not to eat too much candy, it’s also important to take a break and rest, even when it comes to things we love to do.
Here are previous reflections for Proper 4, Year B:
2021 – Who is my family?
2018 – STOP and keep Sabbath
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