In this pronouncement story involving a confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish authorities, it once again reminds us of the need to distinguish between the so-called “letter of the law” and the “spirit of the law.”

Obviously, the second is more important and is actually the real intent of the law. Indeed, there are times when laws can become obstructive and even oppressive when taken purely literally, whereas attendant circumstance and other factors may point to a more accurate or life-giving interpretation of the said law.

Jesus’ response and explanation to the Jews who objected to the disciples’ plucking grains on the Sabbath is precisely an attempt to lead them to the real “spirit” or intent of the law, namely, that the law is in the service of the human person and not the other way around. So that in this case, when people are hungry or in danger of death, they may “work” (pluck grains or beg, etc.) to avoid passing out or even die. Thus, people and their well-being are more important than rules; rules are, in the first place, created in order to attain such objectives.

There are dangers to making absolute what actually are not, making things appear to be “divine” when they are really human. Liturgical actions or practices, for example, are supposed to help us give “proper” worship to God, but we cannot make them absolute, as if they are divine laws. May we be discerning in our treatment or dealing with laws, always intent on furthering its spirit or real intent than its mere letter.

Gospel • Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.”

He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent? I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.