Reflection for July 18 Friday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:1-8

Gospel: 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 the 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.” 

+ + + +  + + +

Reflection:

The story is told of a disciplinarian father who suddenly realized that his strictness with his children was slowly building an invisible wall between them. 

One day, he sat in silence, reflecting deeply on how he could tear down the wall that he himself had built. And with humility, he said to himself, “From now on, I will not be strict anymore. I will be more compassionate, approachable, and merciful.” 

After a week, the wall that had created a gap between the father and his children completely vanished. From then on, his children became more open to him, and a beautiful relationship blossomed between father and children. 

Mercy, understanding, and openness are always higher and holier than rigidity and strictness. Rigidity and strictness tear people apart; they create walls in our relationships and foster coldness and distance. But mercy, understanding, and openness draw us closer, break down walls, and heal wounds in our hearts. 

Let go, therefore, of your anger. Let go of your hidden hurts. Let go of your pride, and let the mercy of Jesus rule your heart. Allow His compassion to soften you, to free you, and to restore your relationships. 

Let us always desire to be merciful because Jesus Himself is merciful. As we choose mercy, we allow His love to flow through us, bringing healing where there is pain, and unity where there is division. 

Lord Jesus, soften our hearts and teach us to be merciful, just as You are merciful. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas