Blessed Virgin Mary 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Colossians 1:21-23

 You yourselves were once estranged and opposed to God

Because of your evil deeds,   but now God has reconciled you in the human body of his Son through his death, so that you may be without fault, holy and blameless before him.  Only stand firm, upon the foundation of your faith, and be steadfast in hope.

Keep in mind the Gos­pel you have heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

 

Ps 54:3-4, 6 & 8

God himself is my help.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

Luke 6:1-5

 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the corn fields and his disciples began to pick heads of grain crushing them in their hands for food.   Some of the Pharisees asked them, “Why do you do what is forbidden on the Sabbath?”   

Then Jesus spoke, “Have you never read what David did when he and his men were hungry?” He entered the house of God, took and ate the bread of the offering and even gave some to his men, though only priests are allowed to eat that bread.”  And Jesus added, “The Son of Man is Lord and rules over the sabbath.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

Religious laws are meant to facilitate awe and wonder in us. They are not just about giving praise and homage to God, or a sign of our love and deep devotion for God. They are important on our part as an expression of our gratitude.

But will God be changed if we don't act for these reasons? Hardly, for God will remain God. There is nothing on our part that can add anything to God. And the Pharisees miss this truth big time. They think that God can be offended by his creatures actions.

That's why they are obsessive in following the letter of the law without regard for human welfare. This is what Jesus wants to correct. He wants to draw their attention to the spirit of the law that cares for the good of humanity. It does not impose a burden.

And so, between blind obedience and the welfare of humankind, Jesus chooses the latter. May we have the spiritual confidence to always follow the good even if it means adjusting our own spiritual lenses to conform with that of Jesus.