Jumat 20 Juli 2018
Hari Biasa, Pekan Biasa XV

Bacaan 1 : Yes  38:1-6.21-22.7-8
Mazmur : Yes 38:10.11.12abcd.16
Injil : Mat  12:1-8

"Yang kukehendaki ialah belas kasihan dan bukan persembahan"

Persembahan kepada Tuhan dan derma kepada sesama tentu saja merupakan perbuatan yang baik dan terpuji. Namun, hal itu tidak bermakna sama sekali di hadapan Tuhan, jika tidak dilakukan atas dasar belas kasih. Maka, Yesus mengingatkan agar belas kasih menjadi dasar, alasan dan pendorong bagi kita dalam melakukan apa saja: bekerja, memberikan persembahan, berderma, menolong orang lain. Bahkan, kalau kita mengingatkan dan menegur orang lain pun, harus didasari oleh cinta kasih, bukan oleh kebencian, iri hati, rasa tidak suka, dan perasaan-perasaan negatif lainnya.

Doa: Tuhan, Engkau menghendaki agar cinta dan belas kasih selalu menjadi dasar dari setiap tindakan kami. Maka, kami mohon, berilah kami hati yang penuh belas kasih, seperti hati-Mu sendiri. Amin. -agawpr-


Friday July 20
Matthew 12:1-8

"I desire mercy and not sacrifice"

Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the Scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom. In their hunger, David and his men ate of the holy bread offered in the Temple. Jesus also quoted of the Sabbath work involved in worship in the Temple. This kind of work was usually double the work of worship on weekdays. Jesus then quotes from the prophet Hosea (6:6): I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. While the claims of ritual sacrifice are important to God, mercy and kindness in response to human need are even more important. Do you honor the Lord in the way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord's Day?

"Lord, make us to walk in your way: Where there is love and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance; where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor annoyance; where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice; where there is peace and contemplation, there is neither care nor restlessness; where there is the fear of God to guard the dwelling, there no enemy can enter; where there is mercy and prudence, there is neither excess nor harshness; this we know through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)

Salam Damai Kristus