Luke 6: 1-5 
While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath,
his disciples were picking the heads of grain,
rubbing them in their hands and eating them.
Some Pharisees said,
“Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Have you not read what David did
when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering,
which only the priests could lawfully eat,
ate of it, and shared it with his companions?”
Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” 

As I reflected on today’s readings ‘love’ has been ever present in my thoughts. God’s love for us, our love for God, love for our family, significant others, friends, co-workers, and others. Is there every enough love in the world? The message to remember? Jesus calls us to love ourselves and one another, always.   

Love is revealed in other ways. Like the Pharisees we have a love for ‘rules and guidelines’ to regulate our world. We believe in the inherent good of these rules, are socialized to follow them, and penalize others (like the Pharisees did) when they are not followed. However, we are reminded by Jesus in today’s gospel to be aware of the relevancy of these rules/laws as they coincide with our need to be merciful, compassionate and to love one another.

Leading with love is a game changer. It does not matter how the Sabbath has changed through the years, let this day (and everyday) be a reminder of Jesus’s message. Jesus calls us to be loving and caring, to be women and men for others, to be in ‘awe’ of all God’s presence among us (the sky, sun, moon, plants, trees, water, and all living things).  

Leading with love should influence our ability to stop and reflect and to challenge rules/guidelines that are no longer appropriate amidst today’s social norms and customs.

Leading with a love provides a path to challenge peacefully with equity, inclusivity and respect for diversity.  So let’s lead with love.