Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 21, 2023

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:

The gospel text for today, Friday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time, continues our weekday readings from the Gospel of Matthew for this lectionary cycle. Today’s text recounts the encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees who took exception with the disciples picking grain as they walked along and eating it. To the Pharisees, this action was a sort of labor which was forbidden on the Sabbath. They used this opportunity to challenge Jesus. Jesus responded by reminding the Pharisees of two situations which they knew well, examples of others not following the law with impunity.

Then Jesus proclaimed to them “something greater than the temple is here.” He, of course, was speaking of Himself, the Son of God, our Savior sent by the Father. But the Pharisees were unable to accept what He was saying or that as the Son of God He had authority over the law. Jesus’ encounter reminds us that the Sabbath was given to humanity for the benefit of the people, not for their discomfort or suffering.

We modern day disciples must ask ourselves are we guilty of legalism and small-mindedness? Do we judge others by their public demonstration of piety?

Meditating on the text:

What motivates me to act as I do? Is it love of the LORD and my sisters and brothers or is it a desire to fit in, a desire for prestige?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we praise You for your power and presence and seek to love You as You desire with our whole heart, our whole mind, our whole being. Help us on our way as we seek to know You more clearly and your true desires for us. Grant that we may serve You lovingly and our sisters and brothers in your name. May love be the light on our path to You. 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.