PATHWAYS OF HOPE: “MERCY, NOT SACRIFICE”

FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary TimeMemorial of Saint Bruno, Bishop Memorial of Saint Aemillanus, martyrPATHWAYS OF HOPE: “MERCY, NOT SACRIFICE”[GOSPEL OF THE DAY]: MATTHEW 12 : 1 - 8Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath.His disciples were hungryand began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him,"See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath."He said to them, "Have you not read what David didwhen he and his companions were hungry,how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering,which neither he nor his companionsbut only the priests could lawfully eat?Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbaththe priests serving in the temple violate the sabbathand are innocent?I say to you, something greater than the temple is here.If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice,you would not have condemned these innocent men.For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath."Reflection by Peter Lino : National Health, Safety, and Environment Manager. Senior Leader for God's Light Community in Sydney, Australia.#POHopegiver #LandasngPagasa #catholic #biblereadings #jesus #catholicchurch #christian #church #faith #god #jesuschrist #love #pray #bible #christianity #prayer #hope #gospel