GOSPEL
The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath
Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint 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.”
Word of the Lord.
Climate of mercy.
A faith that brings me closer to God (at least apparently) and not to my sinful husband cannot be real. God’s mercy is embodied in Christ who gives himself for us for our salvation. That is what God expects a good spouse to do for their partner and vice versa.
Applied to Married Life:
Lucia: I wanted to go to confession and to do an examination of conscience, I would like to know if you feel loved and cared for by me, if you feel that you are my priority along with the Lord.
Manolo: You have your moments, but lately it’s amazing how you are creating a beautiful atmosphere of love between us. I see and appreciate every smile, every look or gesture of affection, every attention, every caress. You have me on cloud nine.
Lucia: Thank you. You are so good to me and how beautiful your look towards me is. I adore you.
Manolo: You are the one who enchants me.
Mother,
May we, through mercy, create an atmosphere of love with our spouse and our family, full of joy and hope. Amen.