Palace in Time
January 21, 2025 - Tuesday, Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Mark 2:23-28
The Bible introduces the Sabbath as a sacred rhythm in life, a time of rest and holiness. In Exodus (Ex. 20:8-11), the Sabbath recalls God’s action in creation. Just as God worked for six days and rested on the seventh, so too are we called to work creatively and rest in His presence. In Deuteronomy (Deut. 5:12-15), the Sabbath reflects liberation from slavery in Egypt—a reminder that we are no longer bound by relentless toil. Together, these themes show the Sabbath as a day to honor God, celebrate freedom, and experience rest. As the Catechism beautifully states, the Sabbath “is a day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money” (CCC 2172).
The Jewish Rabbi Abraham Heschel, in his book The Sabbath, describes it as “a palace in time.” If temples are palaces of worship in space, the Sabbath is a palace of worship in time—a sacred interval God blessed and made holy. Each Sabbath is an opportunity to step into this palace, to realize the holiness of time and our connection to eternity.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciples “were picking the heads of grain” (Mark 2:23), which the Pharisees, as guardians of the Law, condemned as a violation of Sabbath rest. Jesus responds with an example from King David, who ate the bread of the Presence while fleeing Saul. David, anointed as king but not yet enthroned, acted out of necessity and mission. Similarly, Jesus, the true King and Messiah, acts with the authority of the Son of Man, who is “Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28).
This passage invites us to see Jesus as the fulfillment of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was never merely about rigid adherence to rules but about restoring humanity’s relationship with God. As the Bridegroom of His people, Jesus calls us into a deeper understanding: the Sabbath is a time for healing, renewal, and communion with Him. The Lord of the Sabbath offers rest not just from physical labor but from the spiritual burdens of sin and separation from God.
Practically, this calls us to reclaim Sundays as sacred time. It is not merely a break from work but a day to intentionally enter into God’s “palace in time.” This can mean gathering with the Church for the Eucharist, spending quality time with family and community, or resting in God’s presence through prayer and reflection. As Heschel notes, the Sabbath is about creating joy and sanctity in time—something the modern world desperately needs.
Finally, Jesus’ statement that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27) reminds us that the Sabbath is a gift, not a burden. It is a weekly reminder that our worth is not tied to endless productivity but to our identity as God’s beloved children. As we honor the Lord of the Sabbath, we find not only rest for our bodies but also renewal for our souls.