Daily Gospel Reflection for July 15, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

Rituals are easy to observe. Thus, we often judge others and ourselves according to an observance of the rituals of faith, and not – as God does – by the heart, a landscape that we humans cannot see, a landscape where each of us struggles to be more like God.

The Pharisees continually accused Christ and His disciples of breaking Old Testament law. They were watching for the observance of rituals, blind to the revelations of mercy and love. On this occasion, the Pharisees’ legalism interprets the disciples’ behavior, picking the grain from the field on Sabbath, as sin. But the disciples are with Jesus, Who is greater than the temple and Master of the law, Who is Love and Mercy Incarnate. Christ reminds the Pharisees that in Old Testament times neither David nor the priests adopted a legalistic attitude.

Sometimes I am like the Pharisees. I follow God’s law, or believe that I am following it, but I do it out of obligation and with an imperfect, indifferent, or fearful attitude. This is sacrifice, perhaps, but not true loyalty to the knowledge and mercy of God.

We may know our attitude is not right and just as we strive to follow Christ, but how can we change it? How can we choose love and mercy instead of legalism and obligation? For if there is no love, faith, or mercy behind ritual, then ritual is meaningless. When it comes to a softening of the heart, asking, seeking, and knocking for a change in attitude is imperative; we can do nothing without Jesus. When we notice our attitude is one of legalistic observance or sacrifice instead of merciful love for our neighbors and loyalty to God’s Word, we must pray to become more like the Lord of the Sabbath.

Ponder:

How often do I adopt a legalistic attitude instead of acting in love and mercy?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, You are Lord of the Sabbath and Lord of me. Teach me to have a heart like Yours.

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How can we choose love and mercy instead of legalism and obligation? #dailygospel

Copyright 2022 Hillay Ibarra