💖 HOMILY - JULY 19 💖

First Reading - Isaiah 38:1-6,21-22,7-8

Gospel - Matthew 12:1-8

Today’s Gospel passage addresses Jesus’ teaching on the purpose of the Sabbath and its proper observance. This teaching comes as a response to the Pharisees' criticism and accusation against Jesus' disciples for plucking ears of grain on the Sabbath to satisfy their hunger. The Pharisees accused the disciples of performing forbidden work on the Sabbath: harvesting, threshing, and winnowing.

In defending his disciples, Jesus provides three counterarguments from Scripture:

1. Basic Human Needs Take Precedence: Jesus refers to the story of David and his soldiers who, when hungry, ate the consecrated bread meant only for priests (1 Samuel 21:1-6). This highlights that human needs, such as hunger, take precedence over strict religious observance.

2. Divine Worship and Priestly Work: Jesus points out that priests work on the Sabbath in preparing sacrifices without being considered as violating the Sabbath laws (Numbers 28:9-10). This implies that acts related to divine worship are exempt from the Sabbath restrictions.

3. God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice: Quoting the prophet Hosea, Jesus reminds the Pharisees of God’s words: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6). This underscores that God values acts of mercy and compassion over rigid adherence to sacrificial rituals.

Dear friends, the Christian Sunday, like the Jewish Sabbath, is meant to be a day of rest and refreshment, as well as a day of worship and acts of charity. Here are ways we can observe Sunday in the spirit of Jesus' teaching:

1. Rest and Family Time: Use Sunday as a day to rest and spend quality time with family members.

2. Thanksgiving and Spiritual Renewal: Participate in the Eucharistic celebration or worship services to recharge spiritually and give thanks to God.

3. Religious Education: Parents can dedicate time to teach their children about religious faith and Bible lessons.

4. Charity and Mercy: Engage in works of charity within the neighborhood and parish, embodying the mercy that God desires.

5. Socializing and Community Building: Use the day to socialize with family, neighbors, and fellow parishioners, strengthening communal bonds.

Jesus reminds us that a life marked by mercy and compassion is more pleasing to God than one filled with empty piety and rigid discipline. Our acts of forgiveness and charity are what make our faith truly alive and acceptable to God. Let us model our lives on this principle of Christian mercy, both today and in the days to come.