RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES AND THE PLACE OF HUMAN NEEDS

FRIDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR (A)

1st: Isaiah 38:1-6.7-8.21-22
Ps 38:10.11.12abcd.16 (R. 17cd)
Accl: John 10:27
Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

Any religion that does not take human needs as her priority is not worthy of the name.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to free and save the world and not to build religious structures that enslave. Every religious system must take the fulfilment of human needs as a primary assignment.

The Lord proclaimed, “if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the son of man is the lord of the Sabbath.”

The Lord wants us to learn how to be compassionate. He wants us to  be sensitive to the tears of others. He wants us to share in their inner cries.

If God could listen to the prayers of Hezekiah, if he could allow himself to be touched by his tears, who are we not to listen to the cry of our neighbour who needs our help? Isaiah 38:1-6.7-8.21-22

Whatever we seek to do as God’s children must be at the service of others. We must act with kindness and must show the mercy of God to those we meet.

*PRAYERS*
O Lord, in your infinite mercy, show me your ways. Help that I may see your face in the needs of the people around me. Give me your own kind of heart that I may draw people closer to you. Thy kingdom come.