Not burdens but gifts meant to bring life

Hebrews 6:10-20
God would not be so unjust as to forget all you have done, the love that you have for his name or the services you have done, and are still doing, for the saints. Our one desire is that every one of you should go on showing the same earnestness to the end, to the perfect fulfilment of our hopes, never growing careless, but imitating those who have the faith and the perseverance to inherit the promises.
When God made the promise to Abraham, he swore by his own self, since it was impossible for him to swear by anyone greater: I will shower blessings on you and give you many descendants. Because of that, Abraham persevered and saw the promise fulfilled. Men, of course, swear an oath by something greater than themselves, and between men, confirmation by an oath puts an end to all dispute. In the same way, when God wanted to make the heirs to the promise thoroughly realise that his purpose was unalterable, he conveyed this by an oath; so that there would be two unalterable things in which it was impossible for God to be lying, and so that we, now we have found safety, should have a strong encouragement to take a firm grip on the hope that is held out to us. Here we have an anchor for our soul, as sure as it is firm, and reaching right through beyond the veil where Jesus has entered before us and on our behalf, to become a high priest of the order of Melchizedek, and for ever.

Psalm 110(111):1-2,4-5,9,10 The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.

Mark 2:23-28

One sabbath day, Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples began to pick ears of corn as they went along. And the Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing something on the sabbath day that is forbidden?’ And he replied, ‘Did you never read what David did in his time of need when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the loaves of offering which only the priests are allowed to eat, and how he also gave some to the men with him?’
And he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath.’

Il Signore sia con voi. E con il tuo spirito.
+ Dal Vangelo secondo Marco 2:23-28

In quel tempo, di sabato Gesù passava fra campi di grano e i suoi discepoli, mentre camminavano, si misero a cogliere le spighe.
I farisei gli dicevano: «Guarda! Perché fanno in giorno di sabato quello che non è lecito?». Ed egli rispose loro: «Non avete mai letto quello che fece Davide quando si trovò nel bisogno e lui e i suoi compagni ebbero fame? Sotto il sommo sacerdote Abiatàr, entrò nella casa di Dio e mangiò i pani dell’offerta, che non è lecito mangiare se non ai sacerdoti, e ne diede anche ai suoi compagni!».
E diceva loro: «Il sabato è stato fatto per l’uomo e non l’uomo per il sabato! Perciò il Figlio dell’uomo è signore anche del sabato».

Parola del Signore

These passages we have just listened to converge on themes of fidelity, divine promise, and the true purpose of God’s laws in our lives.

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” God’s promises are not fleeting or conditional; they are rooted in love and fidelity.

In the Gospel the disciples are hungry. Jesus reframes the understanding of the law, emphasizing that God’s commandments are not burdens but gifts meant to bring life, freedom, and wholeness.

Today, as we celebrate the feast of St. Agnes, we are reminded that she knew that God’s love is a greater treasure than anything the world can offer and is not given to burden or enslave us.

The connection between these three threads—Hebrews, the Gospel, and St. Agnes’ witness—is found in the liberating power of God’s love. God’s laws are an invitation to trust in a love that is steadfast.

For those who have visited the catacombs of St. Agnes, the experience serves as a powerful reminder of her legacy. Walking through the ancient underground passages where Christians gathered in secret and where St. Agnes’ tomb remains, one cannot help but sense her perseverance and hope in God’s promises, even amidst persecution. In the quiet and sacred space of the catacombs, we encounter the same spirit of fidelity that inspired St. Agnes to give her life for the Gospel.

Let us remember that the Son of Man is master of the Sabbath, and in Him we find the path to true rest and freedom.

Questi brani che abbiamo appena ascoltato convergono su temi di fedeltà, promessa divina e il vero scopo delle leggi di Dio nelle nostre vite.

“Dio non è ingiusto; non dimenticherà il vostro lavoro e l’amore che avete mostrato verso di lui, avendo aiutato il suo popolo e continuando a farlo.” Le promesse di Dio non sono effimere o condizionali; sono radicate nell’amore e nella fedeltà.

Nel Vangelo, i discepoli hanno fame. Gesù ridefinisce la comprensione della legge, sottolineando che i comandamenti di Dio non sono fardelli, ma doni destinati a portare vita, libertà e pienezza.

Oggi, mentre celebriamo la festa di Sant’Agnese, ci viene ricordato che lei sapeva che l’amore di Dio è un tesoro più grande di qualsiasi cosa il mondo possa offrire, e non è dato per opprimere o asservire.

Il legame tra questi tre fili conduttori—la Lettera agli Ebrei, il Vangelo e la testimonianza di Sant’Agnese—si trova nel potere liberante dell’amore di Dio. Le leggi di Dio sono un invito a confidare in un amore saldo e fedele.

Per coloro che hanno visitato le catacombe di Sant’Agnese, l’esperienza è un potente richiamo alla sua eredità. Camminando attraverso gli antichi passaggi sotterranei dove i cristiani si riunivano in segreto e dove si trova la tomba di Sant’Agnese, non si può non percepire la sua perseveranza e speranza nelle promesse di Dio, anche in mezzo alle persecuzioni. Nel silenzio e nello spazio sacro delle catacombe, incontriamo lo stesso spirito di fedeltà che ispirò Sant’Agnese a dare la sua vita per il Vangelo.

Ricordiamo che il Figlio dell’uomo è signore del sabato, e in Lui troviamo il cammino verso il vero riposo e la libertà.