In today's Gospel, Matthew 12: 1-8, the Pharisees confront Jesus about his disciples picking grain and eating it on the sabbath. Your "disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on sabbath," they complain. Jesus tells them that he "desires mercy, not sacrifice" of his followers. Yes, the disciples could have sacrificed themselves and not satisfied their hunger, but that is not what God was asking of them in Christ Jesus. At other times, throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus performs acts of mercy toward the sick and, then, too, the Pharisees rebuked Him.
In our spiritual or religious formation, many of us had it drummed into us that sacrifice is very important--in fact, I believe that I was led to perceiving sacrifice as far more important than mercy. "Mortify yourselves," we have been told. "Make sacrifices for Jesus," was an oft repeated refrain. How often did we hear: "Be merciful," toward others. "Be understanding!" "Be compassionate." And, as importantly: "Judge not!"
As I was bearing down upon myself for not spending more time in prayer, putting off meditation as I chose to relax in other ways and pray later, a friend said to me: "Dorothy, be gentle with yourself." In other words: "Dorothy, God desires mercy, not sacrifice." If I am harsh with myself, forever demanding more and more and more of myself, how am I am to be understanding, compassionate, merciful toward others? How about you?
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