Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 18, 2025

Date: Friday of the 15^th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Matthew 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 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text today which recounts Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ objection to his disciples’ observance of sabbath law isn’t really about what the disciples are eating. It isn’t really about the laws of the sabbath. It is really about Him proclaiming to His critics that He is the Son of God, that He is Lord.

Jesus raises examples from the past where the sabbath law was broken without such reaction from religious authority. But what Jesus really does through this exchange is acknowledge His identity and His power and authority.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How open am I to the LORD’s power and presence at work in my moments, my life, my world? Can I be so rigid in my observances and expectations that I seek to limit the LORD?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior and King, send your Spirit, I beg You, to stir within me and to tenderize my senses so that I am more aware of You and of your will for me. Grant that I may more readily recognize You in my life, in my moments. May I seek always and everywhere to remain in You and to open myself fully so that You and the Father will remain in me. Amen.