Gospel: Matthew 12: 1-8
"It is mercy I desire and not sacrifice."
Which measuring stick do we use in gauging our progress in the religious and spiritual life? If we use the measure of sacrifice, we take the time to make lists of all that we are doing in terms of prayer disciplines and activities. We look upon them as sacrifices of our time and treasure. Implicit in all of this is the element of ego that exists. The focus is primarily on what I am doing and what I am giving up, and not so much on the other person.
Mercy, however, is directed entirely to the care of others. It does not seek one's own welfare or consider what might be in it for me. There is no sense of ownership over one's actions or time or possessions. Mercy is entirely for the sake of others and their needs. Mercy in this sense does not measure at all, for everything is given entirely for the benefit of other people in need of mercy and compassion. Mercy is the only valid standard in religion and spirituality.
The entire life and ministry of Jesus was directed entirely to mercy extended to others. He went about healing other people, liberating them from their demons, and nourishing them at table. All our actions and disciplines have no value at all if they are not directed to and by mercy. Everything else is vanity and ego. So today is a day for committing ourselves to the measure of mercy, the standard by which Jesus lived and ministered to others on earth.
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