By Akshi Wary csc –
Readings: Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; Mt 12:1-8
For the Pharisees, finding fault with Jesus and his disciples was a common event. As per law, they found that the act of the disciples was wrong. Therefore, they pointed it out. There is nothing wrong in it as they said what was stated in the law. But the problem was that they put the law above everything (God, others, good actions).
There are some sorts of actions which are considered morally good if the intention and purpose behind the actions are acceptable and therefore do not need justification.
In today’s gospel, what disciples did was not wrong if we see with a deeper understanding. They were hungry and so they used their right to fill themselves. However, behind this act, there was no unhealthy purpose or perhaps, they were not even aware that they were breaking the law. But the Pharisees failed to understand them and there they became wrong by foolishly judging others.
Today’s message from the gospel is that all the rules and the laws are not to find faults and pass wrong judgement on others but to protect and make us soar high to lead us in the right ways. “An unjust law is no law at all” (St. Augustine).