Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 19, 2024

Date: Friday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture 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 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 for today recounts Jesus’ response yet again to the Pharisees’ criticism of Him and His disciples concerning their observance of the Sabbath. Past criticisms have concerned Jesus’ healings on the Sabbath. Today’s criticism concerns the disciples “labor,” namely, picking grain to eat. Jesus counters their criticism by recounting David’s behavior and by naming a violation of the letter of the law they ignore, that of the temple priests’ labor on the sabbath. Jesus’ two examples involve the temple, and Jesus challenges them in their criticism by claiming to be greater than the temple. We recognize that, but they did not, for they did not recognize Him as the Son of God. As such, Son of God, Jesus is truly, LORD of the Sabbath.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I accept the good of those with whom I disagree? Do I find fault with others who challenge me?

Praying:

LORD, You are creator of us all, You died to save us all, You advocate for us all. May I remember this day that those whom I encounter along the way are loved by You. May I treat them with loving kindness. May I withhold the judgment of others reserving judgment to You alone. Grant that I may focus on my journey to life in abundance, a gift from You, through You, and in You. Help me to grow into the one You created me to be, the one You call me to be, the one You grace me to be. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.