GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW

THE QUESTION ABOUT THE SABBATH

“Not long afterwards Jesus was walking through some cornfields on the Sabbath.  His disciples were hungry, so they began to pick ears of corn and eat the grain.  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Jesus, “Look it is against our law for your disciples to do this on the Sabbath.”

Jesus answered, “Have you never read what David did that time when he and his men were hungry? He went into the house of God and he and his men ate the bread offered to God, even though it was against the law for them to eat it – only the priest were allowed to eat that bread.  Have you not read in the Law of Moses that every Sabbath the priests in the temple actually break the Sabbath law, yet they are not guilty?  I tell you that there is something here greater than the Temple.  The scripture says that it is kindness that I want not animal sacrifices.  If you really knew what this means you would not condemn people who are not guilty.  For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.”

THE MAN WITH A PARALYZED HAND

Jesus left that place and went to a synagogue where there was a man who had a paralyzed hand. Some people were there who wanted to accuse Jesus of doing wrong. So they asked him, “Is it against our law to heal on the Sabbath.” 

Jesus answered, “What if one of you has a sheep and it falls into a deep hole on the Sabbath?  Will he not take hold of it and lift it out? And a man is worth much more than a sheep!   So then, our Law does allow us to help someone on the Sabbath.”  Then he said to the man with the paralyzed hand, “Stretch out your hand.”

He stretched it out, and it became well again, just like the other one.  Then the Pharisees left and made plans to kill Jesus.

GOD’S CHOSEN SERVANT

When Jesus heard about the plot against Him, He went away from that place and large crowds followed Him.  He healed all those who were ill and gave them orders not to tell others about Him.  He did this so as to make what God had said through the prophet Isaiah come true:

“Here is my servant, whom I have chosen.

The one I love, and with whom I am pleased.

I will send my Spirit upon him,

and he will announce my judgment to the nations.

He will not argue or shout,

or make loud speech in the streets.

He will not break off a bent reed

or put out a flickering lamp.

He will persist until he causes justice to triumph,

and in him all peoples will put their hope.”

(Matthew 12:1–21)

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God!