REFLECTION for Friday, 15th week in Ordinary Time 

By

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Assistant Parish Priest,Manjeshwar,Kasargod

 Today's Gospel Passage 


 Matthew 12:1-8 

Jesus took a walk one sabbath day through the cornfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pick ears of corn and eat them. The Pharisees noticed it and said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath.’ But he said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God and how they ate the loaves of offering which neither he nor his followers were allowed to eat, but which were for the priests alone? Or again, have you not read in the Law that on the sabbath day the Temple priests break the sabbath without being blamed for it? Now here, I tell you, is something greater than the Temple. And if you had understood the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.

 Reflection on the day's Reading 

When you think of an important meal, you might think of Christmas dinner. You clean and decorate and prepare special foods. Finally, everything is ready, the table is set, and everyone sits down for the feast. Because it’s a special day, they linger at the table and enjoy each other’s company well into the evening.

By contrast, the Passover meal in today’s first reading sounds more like an exercise in rushing out the door. Everyone is dressed for a journey, with their walking staff in hand. Even some of the food - like the unleavened bread - is something you can take on the go. In modern terms, it’s as if you’re standing at the counter eating a sandwich, with your coat on and the car engine running. You’re ready to leave at a moment’s notice: “like those who are in flight” (Exodus 12:11).

This description of a vigilant, on-the-go meal can serve as a helpful symbol of the Christian life. Like the Israelites, we are pilgrims journeying toward our true homeland. So we need to be ready to follow the Lord whenever and wherever He leads. And as it was for them, so for us there are some things we need to do and there are some things God does for us.

For our part, we need to keep a “journey” mindset by staying alert for the Lord’s direction. That means learning to hear God’s voice in prayer and Scripture. It means staying flexible and holding our own plans and possessions loosely. It also means not getting too comfortable here on earth because we know it’s not our final destination.

As for God’s part, He has been at work from the beginning. He has already saved us and made us His own. He continues to teach us and lead us by His Spirit. He gives Himself to us as our unleavened bread and Passover lamb in the Eucharist. He also feeds us every day in His word, in prayer, and through our brothers and sisters in Christ. In short, He provides everything we need so that we are ready to hear Him calling us when the time comes.

You are on a journey to an eternal banquet - and God Himself is leading you!


Good Morning

Have a lovely day

God bless you