The Lord had spoken those words to the Pharisees a few chapters earlier when he sat at the table of St. Matthew. He told them to go and learn the meaning of those words. ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’
Had the Pharisees gone and learned the meaning of these words, the Lord would not be repeating them now. For Our Lord clearly demonstrates, that He and his disciples, picking grain because they were hungry, were not violating the Sabbath. For their hunger, their human need trumped the Pharisees interpretation of the 3rd commandment. The Pharisees had forgotten, or missed the point, for the whole purpose of the commandments.
The Pharisees began to hunger not righteousness, just the appearance of it. They hungered, not for God, they acted not for love, but for their own egos. Jesus teaches Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and to be righteous, to be in right relationship with God—we seek to fulfill God’s commandments not simply out of blind legalism, but out of love, for Him and our neighbor. Our Lord isn’t saying that we should ignore the commandments of course, but to follow them for the right reasons, reasonably and with a pure heart.
Our Blessed Lord opens us to rediscover that the deepest meaning of life is found when we love God and neighbor attentive to our neighbors real human needs and the desire to obey God out of love. Love of God and neighbor is the road to our deepest human flourishing and to eternal life.
Charity is appropriate anytime, anywhere, for God is Love always and everywhere. When we engage in Charity—in the works of mercy—and follow God’s commandments out of love for Him, we enter into the life of God.
May we be attentive to the call to mercy and love in every dimension of life and become living reflections of God's love in the world for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the members of the Body of Christ may manifest God’s love for the world by engaging in the works of mercy always and everywhere.
That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and seek the peace and justice that only he can bring.
That our young people may be preserved from the evil and perversions of the world and seek to grow in holiness.
For all whose lives are marked by suffering, sickness, disease or debilitation, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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