Saturday of week 22 in Ordinary Time
First Saturday: Let us entrust ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Gospel – Luke 6:1-5
“The Son of Man is master of the sabbath”. That is a fundamental principle to remember whenever we uphold our principles or man-made principles more than the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus positions Himself as the ultimate authority, even over all religious traditions. He fulfills and transcends all traditions and principles. This is a reminder that His person and mission are greater than any human or religious regulations. Jesus points out that man-made rules, when rigidly enforced without compassion, can overshadow the law’s original intent. The Pharisees’ strict interpretation had lost sight of the human need behind the Sabbath. His healing on the Sabbath and other actions reflect this, showing that love, mercy, and compassion must be at the center of any practice. Upholding principles should never come at the cost of neglecting the needs of people. When we prioritize our own principles or man-made traditions above the person and mission of Jesus Christ, we risk losing His way. We will not be following Him but ourselves. We must not lose sight of Jesus Christ, while we follow human customs, especially under social pressures. Let’s reflect: Do I prioritize Jesus Christ or human customs under social pressures?
Don Giorgio