Matthew 12: 1-8 (Friday, July 20, 2007)

The sin of Jesus’ disciples is that they prepared a meal on Sabbath day. Sabbath law prevented Jews from working on Sabbath day. Cooking was considered working. Jesus’ position regarding this is that the response to human need is more important than those laws. Also, what matters is the spirit of the law and not the letters of the law. Sometimes we get caught up in liturgical rules. Some of us are like liturgical police who watch out for any slightest difference in the way the liturgy is being celebrated. The most important question we should ask is, “Why is the priest doing this differently?” Even within the liturgical books, the bishop is given some opportunity to adapt certain things.

Our Christianity would not be real if we keep all the liturgical laws and prayers and yet do not respond to the needs of others in our community. The Eucharist that we celebrate should strengthen us to go out and respond to the needs of others. It is the love that God desires and not the sacrifice.