Sabbath

Matthew 12:1-2 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields and his disciples were hungry and they began to pick heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisees saw it they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not permitted to do on a Sabbath."

Here is the setup for the example of how Jesus' burden is easy and his yoke is light. He begins to do something that is necessary - eat - in a way that is not acceptable to the Pharisees. Actually, he permits his disciples to do so. The point is that the rules are not meant to be more important than our needs.

The Sabbath addresses the very human need to rest regularly; to take time out from our work and enjoy God and God's wonderful creation - including our loved ones. It is a time meant for pleasure, not restriction. Yet, the Pharisees have begun to believe and act as if the rule itself were the most important thing. It is not. The most important thing is to be with God and to remember whose we are and who we are. God's beloved children.
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