Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

 

In today’s Gospel we see that there are many conflicts between Jesus and the religious authority of that time. They are conflicts regarding the religious practices of that time.  To live life without conflicts is impossible!  Conflict is part of life and starts at birth. Conflicts are not accidents along the way, but form part of the journey, of the process of conversion. What strikes us is the way in which Jesus faces the conflicts. 

 

In the discussion with His enemies, He was not trying to show them that He was right, but wished to make the experience which He, Jesus, had of God, prevail. The image of God which others had was that of a severe Judge who only threatened and condemned. Jesus tries to have mercy prevail, since the objective of the Law is the practice of Love.  

 

The Pharisees arrived and invoke the Bible to say that the disciples were transgressing the law of the Sabbath.  Jesus also uses the Bible and responds invoking three examples taken from Scripture: that of David, (he quotes a historical book) that of the legislation on work of the priests in the temple and (a legislative book) from the action of the Prophet Hosea (a prophetic book).

 

The Son of Man is the master of the Sabbath. Jesus ends with this statement: the Son of Man is the master of the Sabbath!  Jesus Himself is the criterion for interpretation of the Law of God.