Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 20,2026

Date: Tuesday of the 2^nd Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:   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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

 Today’s short gospel reading features Jesus’ rebuttal of the Pharisees’ wrongful interpretation of Sabbath laws. Jesus exerts His authority, reprimanding the Pharisees for their legalistic judgment and reminding them that the Sabbath was always meant to serve humanity, not the other way around. Jesus ends by announcing that as “Son of Man,” He is the lord of the Sabbath. As always, Jesus stresses that love of the LORD is not meant to be a burden. We Christians find that in Christ, we are nurtured, sustained, and find rest and peace.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

 Do I focus too much on the externals, the observable demonstrations of my religiosity? Or do I strive to exercise spiritual growth that at times only Christ can see?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, my savior, lead me. Send your Spirit to illuminate my mind, to transform my heart, and to conform my spirit to You and your loving way.  I ask this for love of You and for the glory of the Father. Amen.