First reading Colossians 1:21-23
God has reconciled you by Christ’s death in his mortal body
Not long ago, you were foreigners and enemies, in the way that you used to think and the evil things that you did; but now he has reconciled you, by his death and in that mortal body. Now you are able to appear before him holy, pure and blameless – as long as you persevere and stand firm on the solid base of the faith, never letting yourselves drift away from the hope promised by the Good News, which you have heard, which has been preached to the whole human race, and of which I, Paul, have become the servant.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 53(54):3-4,6,8
I have God for my help.
O God, save me by your name;
by your power, uphold my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
listen to the words of my mouth.
But I have God for my help.
The Lord upholds my life.
I will sacrifice to you with willing heart
and praise your name for it is good:
Gospel Luke 6:1-5
The Son of Man is master of the sabbath
One sabbath Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples were picking ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands and eating them. Some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath day?’ Jesus answered them, ‘So you have not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God, took the loaves of offering and ate them and gave them to his followers, loaves which only the priests are allowed to eat?’ And he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is master of the sabbath.’
___________________________
God is love
Jesus and His disciples were walking through the cornfields, and the hungry disciples picked ears of corn and ate them. Immediately, the Pharisees judged them for breaking the Sabbath law. Though these religious people were careful to adhere to a set of beliefs and regulations, they failed to live up to the heart of their faith, i.e. loving as God loves. Instead, they judged harshly and lacked compassion for others. What about us? Do we tend to judge rather than show compassion the way God is?
Jesus calls us back to what truly matters. As Christians, we have the duty to obey the law of love by building bridges, not walls; by looking at the ordinary needs of the people, not sticking to structures and norms; by forgiving and uniting, not condemning and finger-pointing. Today, let us be loved by God and to share that love joyfully with those around us.
Reflective question:
Do I tend to judge people harshly?
Do I tend to judge people harshly?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
