Many feel the terms "Sabbath day" and "play day" are synonymous. . . . But I . . . know that remembering to keep the Sabbath day holy is one of the most important commandments we can observe in preparing us to be the recipients of the whisperings of the Spirit.

Sunday is the core of our civilization, dedicated to thought and reverence. - Ralph Waldo Emerson: (1803 –1882^: was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century.)

Gospel Text: (MT 12:1-8)

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath.
His disciples were hungry
and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him,
"See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath."
He said to the them, "Have you not read what David did
when he and his companions were hungry,
how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering,
which neither he nor his companions
but only the priests could lawfully eat?
Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath
the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath
and are innocent?
I say to you, something greater than the temple is here.
If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
you would not have condemned these innocent men.
For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath."

Just think that the greatest miracle takes place in your local parish church every Sunday when bread becomes the body of Jesus for you. Jesus died on Calvary for you and the grace of Calvary is offered to you anew in every Mass. Words cannot describe the gift or beauty or holiness of the Mass. Words cannot describe the love of God available to each of us in every Mass. If ever we complain about the Mass it shows that we have not yet grown to understand the love of God for us in the Mass. Try to grow more in understanding of the love of God for you in the Mass every time you celebrate the Eucharist.