Reflection for September 5 Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time: 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.”

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Reflection:

Do we always do what is right, even when it is unpopular?

There are times when we are hindered from doing what is noble because we are afraid of the judgment of others. We may know what is right, yet the fear of criticism, rejection, or disapproval can make us hesitate. Sometimes, doing what is right requires courage—the courage to stand firm even when we stand alone.

Consider, for example, a young woman who suddenly finds herself facing an unwanted pregnancy. Because she is still young, her family may pressure her to end the life growing in her womb. Yet, despite the pressure and the opinions of others, she courageously stands her ground, carries her pregnancy to term, and gives birth to her child. Her decision reminds us that doing what we believe is right is not always easy, especially when others do not understand or support us.

In today's Gospel, the disciples were picking grains when some Pharisees admonished them because they were doing so on the Sabbath, the day of rest. The Pharisees were more concerned about the strict observance of a religious regulation than about the legitimate human need of the disciples.

But Jesus challenged their legalistic way of thinking. He reminded them of what David and his companions had done when they ate the bread of offering that was reserved for the priests. Jesus then declared His authority over the Sabbath.

Through this, Jesus teaches us an important truth: legitimate human needs and acts of mercy must never be sacrificed to a legalistic interpretation of religious law. God does not want us to become so focused on rules and traditions that we forget compassion, mercy, and love. For the Lord, the greater good must prevail.

There are moments in our lives when we, too, can become like the Pharisees. We may become so concerned about appearances, traditions, rules, and what others might say that we fail to see the person who is hurting right in front of us. We may know the letter of the law but forget its spirit. We may be physically present in church, yet our hearts may remain distant from the very people whom Jesus calls us to love.

Come to think of it, what good would it do us if we faithfully followed religious practices but, in the process, deprived those in need of our compassion and help? What good is our presence in church every Sunday for Holy Mass if we do not live out the teachings of Jesus when we leave the church? Our faith is not meant to remain within the walls of our churches. It is meant to be lived through our mercy, kindness, forgiveness, compassion, and love.

Let us therefore ask the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom to know what is right, the courage to stand for what is good, and the compassion to see beyond rules and appearances.

May we never allow our fear of people's opinions to prevent us from doing what is pleasing to God. And may our obedience to God always lead us closer to those who are hurting, forgotten, or in need of our love.

When the right thing becomes unpopular, when others criticize us, and when following Jesus demands courage, will we choose the approval of people—or will we have the courage to stand with Christ and let His love, mercy, and truth guide the way we live?—Marino J. Dasmarinas