July 18: The Way of Mercy / El Camino de la Misericordia

Jesus’ disciples were surprised when He called Himself “something greater than the Temple.” (Matthew 12, 1-8) They could not imagine anything greater than the magnificent Temple built by Herod in Jerusalem, considered to be one of the wonders of the world. For centuries, it was the focal point of God’s presence to His people. But Jesus was and remains greater than the Temple because He is the new focus of God’s presence. The Living God is present no longer in a building, but through a person, His Son Jesus, who also has the title Emmanuel, “God with us.”

As the New Temple, Jesus is also Lord of the Sabbath, the Lord of the Church, and the Lord of our lives. Are we willing, however, to submit to His Word so that His priorities become our priorities? He declares, for example, that feeding the hungry takes priority over any narrow understanding of the Sabbath Law. His hungry disciples were entitled to pick ears of grain to satisfy their hunger, even on the Sabbath.

A daily challenge for us is this: Jesus’ Word and His whole life can lead us along His way of mercy. His Word and His life can help us discern what is really important from what is less important. Do we trust that He is, indeed, Lord of our lives?

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Cuando somos niños, solemos decir a todo que “sí” (por convencimiento o por obligación). Cuando entramos en la adolescencia, solemos decir a todo que “no” (por afán de oposición, para distinguirnos de los demás). Ser adulto significa decir “sí” o “no,” según corresponda a la verdad y al bien. Ese es el camino de la auténtica libertad.

Naturalmente, hay mandamientos. Pero el Señor mismo nos dice que nunca deben interponerse como obstáculo en el camino de la misericordia y del cariñoso servicio a los hermanos y hermanas. Que l nos haga servidores libres y sinceros, siempre motivados por el amor.