The scripture of readings for Friday of the Fifteenths Week in Ordinary Time can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/071720.cfm
Because the disciples are hungry, they begin plucking
and eating heads of grain. The Pharisees object, pointing out to Jesus that his
disciples are doing what is not lawful on the sabbath. Central to Jewish life
is the sabbath. Although humane considerations were most important in Judaism,
a first-century list forbade some 39 works on the sabbath, including both
reaping and preparing food.
To the Pharisees, to be true to the Jewish faith, you
could not deviate from the laws handed on down to them since Moses. They thought that the meticulous observation of all their
traditions was the most important value, even higher than being merciful and
sensitive to the concrete needs of others. Jesus shows them that even in the
Old Testament God thought otherwise, for he desires mercy more than sacrifice.
In today’s uncertain world this could also be a very real temptation: if I
fulfil the law scrupulously I can feel fine before God. Yet Jesus challenges us
to think and act otherwise.
Jesus was teaching Pharisees that he was
the Son of Man and lord of the Sabbath. For the Jews the Sabbath was one of
their holiest institutions, so that these were strong words indeed. Yet Jesus
was not afraid of uttering them, and he knew he was making a huge claim - he
was claiming he was God.
For us, nothing is more central to the
Christian life than Jesus Christ, his life, death, resurrection and his words.
Regulations about the Sabbath - all religious regulations - were put into
perspective. Our faith is about a person who is both God and human, whose life
touches all the important times of our life – birth, ministry, suffering and
death. The way we practice religion is to lead us to the true way, to
comprehensive truth and to everlasting life.
As we continue our return to the regular
practice of our faith at the daily and Sunday celebration of Mass, let us
remember not to be judgmental of those who may be away from the practice of the
faith. Instead of judging them for not following the laws and rules of the
Church, let us show them the love and compassion that Jesus wants us to show
them. Further, we need to always include them in our prayers as they struggle
with their faith in God, their relationship with Jesus Christ and the problems
that they may be facing that keeps them from a deeper relationship with their
Creator.
Lord Jesus, help us to be loving and
compassionate towards all those you have put into our lives. Amen.
Very good.
ReplyDeleteI think this reminds us that we should always be more conscious of the "end" or "goal" and that the laws, rules, regulations & rituals are not the "end" but the "means" toward the "end". Everything we do should flow from knowing the love of God & thus loving God in return with all our hearts, minds, souls & strengths, & loving our neighbors as ourselves. The laws, rules, regulations & rituals are given to us by God & by religious authorities as practical means of living out our relationship of love with God, our personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST, Who is the Incarnate Son of God,& the Holy Spirit, and our love of all people. We have a problem when we lose sight of this "end" & become obsessive-compulsive with the "means" & view the "means" as the ultimate "end". This was the problem of the Pharisees & a problem we need to avoid.