Friday, September 01, 2017

Reflection for Saturday September 9, Saint Peter Claver, Priest: Luke 6:1-5

Gospel: 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.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you always do what is right even if it’s unpopular?

There are times in life that we are hindered of doing something that is noble because we fear the judgment of our fellowmen. For example, a young lady suddenly had an unwanted pregnancy. Since she was still young her mother wanted her to abort her child. But the lady rightfully stood her ground and went through her pregnancy and gave birth.

While the disciples were picking grains some Pharisees admonished them because it was their day of rest or Sabbath day. But Jesus reproved the ever critical Pharisees by citing what David did (Eat the bread offering which was exclusively for the priest). Then, Jesus topped HIS rebuke of the Pharisees by saying that HE is over and above their Sabbath law.

The rule that Jesus’ follows is this: human need/s such as food takes precedence over any laws even the Sabbath law. Doing acts of mercy is more important than fulfilling a custom or tradition.

Come to think of it, what good would it do us if we follow the law/s but in the process of following it we deprive those who are in need? What good is our presence at church every Sunday if we are not merciful? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

No comments: