Change of Attitude

Today’s Gospel Text:  At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath." 3 He said to them, "Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the law how on the sabbath the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is lord of the sabbath." Matt 12:1-8

Reflection: Unlawful practices, isn’t this action, on the part of the disciples, come under the category of stealing and robbery. Whose grain field was it, that they should walk feely and eat of someone else’s labor?

What would we have done if we had a grain field or any of our modern possessions beginning with money?  Would we have welcomed somebody helping themselves with it or having a portion of it?

The Jewish culture was different; they were trained to put God into right perspectives in all things and in everything. 

When we work it is indeed our labor but who has given us the job, the strength to work, the health to continue, the brains to accomplish it, if not God.  If not for the natural resources provided by God, such as rain, water, soil, air and sunshine we would not been surviving. Hence above all, the very life we have, comes from God.

The care and concern for the poor and stranger was ingrained in the people of God; “And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.”  Lev 19:10 (also read: Lev. 23:22; Ex 23:10-11)

Likewise they knew and believed what God had to teach them; “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” Deut 8:18

If God indeed is the giver of all talents, abilities, opportunities and power, then believing this our lifestyle and thinking would be different. This will also be seen in our attitude towards the human person, especially the less endowed and poor. 

Above all, our lives would be a constant gratitude to a God who provides, praising him always for his immeasurable giving. It should not so much be according to the measure he gives nor according to the measure we have grown in understanding his goodness and love towards us but much more than what we have understood concerning his generosity.  

Prayer:  Lord, may I always recognize that all I have comes from you, out of your great merciful love and abundance of your blessings.

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