unlawful on the sabbath

“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?’” (MK 2: 23-24)

It wasn’t true. “Picking the heads of grain” wasn’t forbidden. Forbidden was harvesting. The Pharisees, to discredit Our Lord, equate picking with harvesting. Sometimes we also can exaggerate somebody’s behavior to discredit him or her. We need to remember always how to defend others, not to discredit them.

“May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.” (Gospel Acclamation)