Daily Reflection – Sep 3, 2016

Saturday 3 September 2016

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Responsorial Psalm:
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord
Psalm 36(37):3-6, 27-28, 39-40
Gospel Reading: Luke 5:33-39

Today’s Saint: St Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

Gospel Reading:

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath,
his disciples were picking the heads of grain,
rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.
Some Pharisees said,
“Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Have you not read what David did
when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering,
which only the priests could lawfully eat,
ate of it, and shared it with his companions?”
Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”

Reflection:

Why are you doing what is unlawful? (Luke 6:2)

Don’t you love how Jesus comes to his disciples’ defense? Even though he himself is not accused, he speaks up on their behalf. He doesn’t want their accusers to misunderstand his well-meaning disciples or his gospel message. So he tells them that more than anything else, acts of mercy and kindness done on the Sabbath bring honor to God.

This is one of the greatest promises of the gospel: Jesus will always come to your defense. He knows how easy it can be to get caught up in guilt or self-condemnation, so he is always ready to step in as our advocate to silence these accusing voices.

• He defends us from recurring feelings of guilt, shame, and sadness for sins that he has already forgiven.

• He defends us from the devil, who exploits our fears by whispering lies and half-truths to us.

• He lifts us up when feelings of guilt beat us down.

• He reminds us that we belong to him and not to sin or the world.

• He helps us to stand firm when fear buckles our knees.

• He tells us that we are not alone when anxiety threatens to overwhelm us.

• He strengthens us even when repeated struggles sap our energy.

If you want to know what it’s like to have Jesus defending you, then do what his disciples did in the grain field: let him speak up for you. In prayer, let him tell you, “Neither do I condemn you” (John 8:11). At night, gaze up at the starry sky, and remember his promise of faithfulness. In Confession, let him draw you into his warm embrace and assure you of his love.

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, is your Advocate! May we all learn to silence the accusing voices in our hearts so that we can be convinced of his loving protection.

“Jesus, your voice brings conviction and life. You never condemn. With you as my Defender, I know I can walk in joy and freedom.”