Mark 2:27 And he said to them: “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
Here we find the desciples of Jesus of Nazareth harvesting corn for food. The Pharisees asked them why they are working on a sabbath day when no work is permitted. Pharisees would frequently fast, and on the Sabbath, if they forgot to prepair the day before (a noble lesson from the pharisees: prepair for what is to come) then they would most likely fast on the Sabbath, repenting of their laziness the day before. It just made sense, it was the law. But Christ points out that mankind is not made to take part in the Sabbath, but that it is a gift from God to man so that we remember to relax, focus on our families, and spend time connecting with those around us.

Mankind came in to the world as laborers in the Garden of Eden, we were tasked by God to care for the world, and our neighbors. When the Sabbath day was established, Israel had come out of a culture of perpetual industry. As slaves, hard work was engrained in their culture. Likewise, the next generation feeling bad for their parents, might be inclined to reject industry for leisure. God’s great wisdom is this: be industrious 6/7 days, work hard, there is no excuse for laziness; likewise: relax, life is about connection with family, they are the reason we work, so take the time to love them. It is both a soothing day to the laborous, as well as a schedule for lazier dispositions. ” Work will always be around, so I might as well have fun, just do what I want, I’ll worry about work tomorrow!”: with a Sabbath scheduled, thr lazy are reminded that there is a day for rest, and today is not that day.

So Christ reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was made to benefit men, so they know when to work, and when to chill out. 

Workaholics (zealous masons): put down your work(hobby) for 24 hours this week. Put down the phone. Spend time with your family, your friends, or with God in prayer. 

Lazybones: If you’re wondering when to start, now is a good time. Pick your day to mess around online, or play pokemon GO, but until that day arrives you can study, do the dishes, vacuum, use your time industriously.

Hold fast to faith, give hope to the heavyhearted, be charitable in grace.