MERCY NOT SACRIFICE

We may all have experienced getting sick and undergone a lot of pain at the same time, one way or another. We must realize that going through difficult and painful times could serve as a testimony to the love and power of God. Our God is the Divine Healer but if we have never been sick and healed how can we attest to this truth. What's most important is that we focus on God's goodness rather on our pains and sicknesses and we could find meaning in all of these. Today's 1st reading tells us of this wonderful story of Hezekiah's repentance and God's response to him. No matter what we did in the past if we are to mend our ways and really turn away from our sins then God will surely hear our prayers, forgive us and make things right for us. When He acts on our behalf, He assures us constantly of His unfailing love by making it known to us in so many marvelous and mysterious ways. God speaks to us in a variety of ways, as the bible says: God’s ways are not man’s ways and His knowledge is beyond our reach. It is not surprising how many times already we have heard and seen people who have a lot of wonderful stories to tell which is all about the Almighty Power of God which is beyond our comprehension. We may not be able to fully understand the wisdom of God but we can never deny the fact that He utilizes all means possible which could be in the form of various signs and symbols just to get it across to us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 38: 1-6, 21-22, 7-8

...3 “O LORD, remember how faithfully and wholeheartedly I conducted myself in your presence, doing what was pleasing to you!” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah : 5 “Go, tell Hezekiah: Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David. I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, in three days you shall go up to the LORD’s temple; I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; I will be a shield to this city.” 7 [21] Isaiah then ordered a poultice of figs to be taken and applied to the boil, that he might recover. 8 [22] Then Hezekiah asked, “What is the sign that I shall go up to the temple of the LORD?” 9 [7] Isaiah answered: “This will be the sign for you from the LORD that he will do what he has promised. 10 [8] See, I will make the shadow cast by the sun on the stairway to the terrace of Ahaz go back the ten steps it has advanced.” So the sun came back the ten steps it had advanced.

If we have 100% confidence in our God then we can always hold on to His words which are all truth and life. Amen. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 38: 10, 11, 12abcd, 16

R: You save my life, O Lord; I shall not die.

18 [16] Those live whom the LORD protects; yours is the life of my spirit. You have given me health and life.

There is always a commitment to any relationship and what God desires of us most of all, is our genuine love and concern above anything else. It goes beyond what is seen and spoken from the heart. We should see that being merciful and offering a sacrifice goes hand in hand, it is very important that we renew ourselves constantly as we grow in virtue. It comes in stages and we'll just have to work on it one day at a time. We have to be conscious of our motives and intentions, bottom line is always think that whatever we do, imagine God watching us and honestly feel in our heart if it can elicit a smile on His face. Today's gospel has always been a very controversial issue for most people of all kinds of religion. A lot of people makes a big deal out of the Sabbath Day and sometimes fail to see what's most essential. We sometimes become very legalistic and scrupulous of a lot of things with regards to the faith that we end up defeating the purpose for what it is really meant for. Jesus tells us in today's gospel that although David and their companions violated the Sabbath they were justified. He emphasize that more than anything else it is mercy that pleases God more than sacrifice. We may be fulfilling all the dictates of the Sabbath but if we forget to have compassion and mercy to our fellowmen then we are not at all justified before God. The Sabbath is considered the rest day and is obviously made to serve its purpose which is for man's welfare. We need to fulfill the Sabbath, there is no doubt but we must not forget that the Sabbath is made for man and not the other way around. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 12:1-8

...“Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, 4 how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent? 6 I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these innocent men. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”