Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Lectionary: 393

“I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice”

Have you ever found yourself clinging to a rule so tightly that you missed the heart behind it? Today’s readings invite us to a deeper understanding of God’s mercy—one that shatters rigid legalism and leads to true freedom. From the blood-stained doorposts of Egypt to a grain field on the Sabbath, we witness a God who rescues, redeems, and redefines what it means to be in right relationship with Him. At the center of it all is not a ritual for its own sake, but a covenant of love marked by obedience, gratitude, and mercy.

In Exodus 11:10–12:14, we’re transported to the night of the first Passover—a moment of profound deliverance where the blood of a spotless lamb shields the Israelites from the angel of death. This isn’t just a historical event; it’s the foundation of Jewish identity and the prototype of Christian salvation. God institutes a ritual, yes—but one rooted in remembrance, urgency, and liberation. The lamb prefigures Christ, whose blood marks the true exodus from sin. Psalm 116 echoes this response to salvation with heartfelt thanksgiving: “You have loosed my bonds”, the psalmist cries, offering a “sacrifice of praise” instead of mere ritual observance. Here, worship is intimate and relational—an offering from the heart.

Then, in The Gospel of Matthew 12:1–8, Jesus confronts the Pharisees for exalting the Sabbath law above human need. His disciples are hungry, and their simple act of picking grain becomes a scandal in the eyes of those who have forgotten the purpose of the law. Jesus recalls the example of David and the temple priests, then declares with authority: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”, and “the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath”. In doing so, He reveals the fullness of God’s mercy—one that values love over legalism, compassion over condemnation. These readings together remind us that God’s ultimate desire is not empty ritual, but a heart moved by mercy and a life shaped by liberation. How is God inviting you to prioritize love over law in your own walk of faith today?

First Reading – Exodus 11:10–12:14

Marked by Mercy

The Book of Exodus is the epic narrative of God’s deliverance of His chosen people from slavery in Egypt—a foundational moment not only for the Jewish people but for the Christian understanding of salvation. This passage brings us to the climax of the conflict between Pharaoh and God, where ten plagues have failed to soften Pharaoh’s hardened heart. In response, God institutes the Passover, a ritual of remembrance and protection, rooted in faith and obedience. Culturally, this moment is the birth of Israel as a people set apart, whose freedom is sealed by the blood of a spotless lamb. Religiously, it is a sacred threshold—God does not merely free Israel; He makes a covenant family out of them, one that lives in remembrance and gratitude. Within today’s theme of deliverance through divine mercy, the Passover stands as a foreshadowing of Christ, the true Paschal Lamb, whose blood delivers us not from Pharaoh, but from sin and death itself.

Exodus 11:10-12:14
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

¹⁰ Thus, although Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders in Pharaoh’s presence, the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go from his land.

The Passover Ritual Prescribed. ^12:1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: ² This month will stand at the head of your calendar; you will reckon it the first month of the year. ³ Tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth of this month every family must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household. ⁴ If a household is too small for a lamb, it along with its nearest neighbor will procure one, and apportion the lamb’s cost in proportion to the number of persons, according to what each household consumes. ⁵ Your lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish. You may take it from either the sheep or the goats. ⁶ You will keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and then, with the whole community of Israel assembled, it will be slaughtered during the evening twilight. ⁷ They will take some of its blood and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. ⁸ They will consume its meat that same night, eating it roasted with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. ⁹ Do not eat any of it raw or even boiled in water, but roasted, with its head and shanks and inner organs. ¹⁰ You must not keep any of it beyond the morning; whatever is left over in the morning must be burned up.

¹¹ This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you will eat it in a hurry. It is the Lord’s Passover. ¹² For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every firstborn in the land, human being and beast alike, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the Lord! ¹³ But for you the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thereby, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you.

¹⁴ This day will be a day of remembrance for you, which your future generations will celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord; you will celebrate it as a statute forever.

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 10 – “Thus, although Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders in Pharaoh’s presence, the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go from his land.”
This verse concludes the buildup of the previous nine plagues. Pharaoh’s refusal is not mere political stubbornness—it becomes a theological revelation of human pride in opposition to divine will. The “hardening” of Pharaoh’s heart is permitted by God to reveal His power and justice, and to prepare for an act of redemption that no human force could prevent or claim credit for.

Verse 12:1 – “The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt:”
The chapter opens with a divine command spoken in the very land of oppression. God’s presence is not distant—He speaks directly into the place of suffering. This establishes the authority and immediacy of what follows: a new beginning initiated by God’s word.

Verse 2 – “This month will stand at the head of your calendar; you will reckon it the first month of the year.”
Time itself is reordered around the act of deliverance. God defines a new calendar for His people, marking this moment as the beginning of a new life. Redemption is not just spiritual but historical—it resets everything.

Verse 3 – “Tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth of this month every family must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household.”
Every household must participate. Salvation is both communal and personal, and the lamb becomes the sacrificial center of their deliverance. This echoes in Christian tradition, where each soul is called to personally receive Christ, the Lamb of God.

Verse 4 – “If a household is too small for a lamb, it along with its nearest neighbor will procure one, and apportion the lamb’s cost in proportion to the number of persons, according to what each household consumes.”
No one is to be left out. God’s mercy makes room for the weak, the poor, and the small. The sharing of the lamb among households prefigures the Eucharist, which is also shared so that none go spiritually hungry.

Verse 5 – “Your lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish. You may take it from either the sheep or the goats.”
Only a perfect, unblemished lamb is acceptable—symbolizing purity, innocence, and total offering. This requirement directly foreshadows Christ, “a lamb without blemish or defilement” (1 Peter 1:19), the only one worthy to take away the sins of the world.

Verse 6 – “You will keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and then, with the whole community of Israel assembled, it will be slaughtered during the evening twilight.”
The delay between selecting and sacrificing the lamb builds anticipation and solemnity. The timing—twilight—marks the transition from darkness to light, death to life, old to new. It parallels the timing of Christ’s Passion, when the true Lamb was slain.

Verse 7 – “They will take some of its blood and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.”
Blood becomes a sign of protection. Applied to the doorposts, it marks the homes as belonging to God. This external sign of faith saves them from destruction, just as the Cross, marked with Christ’s blood, becomes our shield.

Verse 8 – “They will consume its meat that same night, eating it roasted with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”
The meal is immediate and symbolic. Roasting emphasizes urgency, unleavened bread recalls haste, and bitter herbs evoke the suffering of slavery. This sacred meal becomes the first Passover, and later, the Last Supper’s echo.

Verse 9 – “Do not eat any of it raw or even boiled in water, but roasted, with its head and shanks and inner organs.”
This total consumption underscores the totality of the offering—nothing is held back. The roasted preparation is simple and direct, emphasizing action, purity, and communal participation.

Verse 10 – “You must not keep any of it beyond the morning; whatever is left over in the morning must be burned up.”
This command reinforces the idea that the sacrifice is complete and sacred—leftovers are not to be profaned or casually saved. It’s a call to full commitment and reverence.

Verse 11 – “This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you will eat it in a hurry. It is the Lord’s Passover.”
This verse highlights the urgency of deliverance. The people must be ready to move—ready for freedom. Faith demands not only belief but readiness to act when God calls. The phrase “the Lord’s Passover” consecrates the act as His definitive intervention in history.

Verse 12 – “For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every firstborn in the land, human being and beast alike, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the Lord!”
God’s judgment is total and just. He acts not only against Pharaoh but against the false gods of Egypt. This isn’t mere punishment—it’s divine justice revealing His supremacy and power.

Verse 13 – “But for you the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thereby, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you.”
This is the theological heart of the passage: mercy marked by blood. The blood is not magical but sacramental—it’s a sign of faith, obedience, and belonging. This “passing over” prefigures our own deliverance through Christ’s blood.

Verse 14 – “This day will be a day of remembrance for you, which your future generations will celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord; you will celebrate it as a statute forever.”
God commands remembrance. The Passover becomes a perpetual liturgy, not merely of memory, but of ongoing participation in God’s saving power. Christians inherit this through the Eucharist, where we celebrate the eternal Passover in Christ.

Teachings

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that “the Paschal feast of the Old Covenant was ordered to the remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt” and that “the New Passover of Jesus fulfills the Jewish Passover and anticipates the final Passover of the Church in the glory of the kingdom” (CCC 1340). This passage is a cornerstone of sacramental theology, especially regarding the Eucharist, where the Church sees Jesus as the fulfillment of the Paschal Lamb and the Mass as the new memorial of our deliverance.

Saint Thomas Aquinas affirms this typology in his Summa Theologiae, saying, “The Old Law had figures of future things; the New Law has those things in reality” (ST III, q.73, a.1). This profound continuity between Testaments shows that God’s plan of salvation is not reactionary but eternal—woven through history and sacrament. The lamb, the blood, the meal—all point to Christ, whose Passion becomes the ultimate Exodus, not from one nation’s bondage but from the slavery of sin and death.

Saint Augustine writes, “In the Passion of our Lord, the slaughtering of the Paschal Lamb was fulfilled; and the application of its blood is now accomplished through faith in the blood of Christ” (Tractates on the Gospel of John, 55.1). His words reflect the Church’s ancient understanding: what began in Egypt finds its perfection in Calvary. This context enriches our appreciation of the Mass, especially as we receive the Lamb of God and are called to live in the freedom of His love.

Reflection

This reading speaks powerfully into our lives today. We may not face Pharaoh, but we each face forms of slavery—addictions, fear, unforgiveness, or spiritual apathy. God calls us to be marked by His mercy, to trust the blood of the Lamb, and to be ready to follow Him into freedom. Are we living as people set apart? Are we consuming the Lamb of God with reverence and readiness? Do we remember our own deliverance every time we participate in the Mass, or has it become routine? What would it look like to live each day “with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand”? Let us not merely remember the Passover but live it—daily, gratefully, and with hearts full of praise.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 116:12–13, 15–18

Love’s Response to Mercy

Psalm 116 belongs to the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113–118), which were traditionally sung during Jewish feasts such as the Passover. This makes it especially fitting in light of today’s first reading from Exodus 12, where the Lord institutes the Passover meal as a memorial of Israel’s deliverance from slavery. In Psalm 116, the psalmist offers a deeply personal and communal response to God’s saving action. It is a song of thanksgiving, rooted in the experience of near-death, and the realization that only God can save. Culturally, the Israelites would have sung this psalm after surviving a crisis, making vows in the Temple, and offering a public sacrifice of gratitude. Spiritually, it shows us how to respond when we’ve been “passed over” by death and given new life—not with empty rituals, but with a heart of praise. This beautifully reinforces the theme of today’s readings: true worship flows from mercy received, not merely sacrifice rendered.

Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

¹² How can I repay the Lord
    for all the great good done for me?
¹³ I will raise the cup of salvation
    and call on the name of the Lord.

¹⁵ Dear in the eyes of the Lord
    is the death of his devoted.
¹⁶ Lord, I am your servant,
    your servant, the child of your maidservant;
    you have loosed my bonds.
¹⁷ I will offer a sacrifice of praise
    and call on the name of the Lord.
¹⁸ I will pay my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people,

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 12 – “How can I repay the Lord for all the great good done for me?”
The psalmist begins with a rhetorical question that expresses awe and humility. God’s mercy is so immense, it cannot be repaid in kind. This line sets the tone for a grateful heart that seeks to respond—not out of obligation, but out of love. It echoes the Eucharistic mindset: we can never “repay” the Lord, but we can give ourselves as a living offering (Romans 12:1).

Verse 13 – “I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”
This is both a literal and symbolic gesture. In Jewish tradition, raising the “cup of salvation” referred to a thank offering made in the Temple. For Christians, this verse resonates deeply with the Chalice of the Eucharist. Jesus Himself uses the imagery of a cup to speak of His Passion (Matthew 26:39) and offers the cup of His Blood at the Last Supper. Calling on the Lord’s name is a sign of covenant fidelity and worship.

Verse 15 – “Dear in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his devoted.”
This verse offers tremendous consolation. It tells us that God does not treat our suffering or death as insignificant—He sees, He values, and He is present. This is particularly poignant for persecuted believers, martyrs, and anyone who suffers for the faith. It also reminds us that even death is not the end, but a precious moment under God’s watchful care.

Verse 16 – “Lord, I am your servant, your servant, the child of your maidservant; you have loosed my bonds.”
The repetition here reflects devotion and identity. To be a “servant” of the Lord is not a position of degradation but of honor and purpose. By mentioning his mother—the “maidservant”—the psalmist situates his life within a legacy of covenant faith. And the phrase “you have loosed my bonds” connects directly to the theme of deliverance: God’s mercy frees us from physical, emotional, and spiritual chains.

Verse 17 – “I will offer a sacrifice of praise and call on the name of the Lord.”
This phrase shifts the focus from ritual sacrifice to a spiritual one. A “sacrifice of praise” is not a burnt offering but heartfelt worship—a theme repeated in Hebrews 13:15, which says, “Let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess His name.” The psalmist models how true worship is born from relationship, not ritualism.

Verse 18 – “I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,”
Gratitude must become visible. The psalmist doesn’t just feel thankful—he makes a public witness of it. This verse calls believers to communal worship and accountability. The fulfillment of vows in public worship reflects a life of integrity, devotion, and trust in God’s continued faithfulness.

Teachings

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reflects this psalm’s spirit of worship in its teaching on the Eucharist: “The Eucharist is an act of thanksgiving to God. The very word ‘Eucharist’ means thanksgiving” (CCC 1328). Just as the psalmist lifts the “cup of salvation,” the Church lifts the Chalice at every Mass, uniting our praise with Christ’s perfect offering. This is how we respond to God’s mercy—not by trying to “repay” Him, but by entering into the divine liturgy with reverence, humility, and joy.

Saint Irenaeus speaks to this as well: “The glory of God is man fully alive; and the life of man is the vision of God” (Against Heresies, IV, 20, 7). A life that has been loosed from bondage becomes a living song of praise. The psalmist is not merely speaking about external worship—he is embodying a life transformed by love. This aligns with Romans 12:1, where Saint Paul exhorts us to present our bodies as “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.”

Historically, this psalm has been prayed by countless saints and martyrs. Tradition holds that Jesus Himself may have sung this psalm with His disciples during the Last Supper, just before entering His Passion. Imagine the weight of verse 15—“Dear in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his devoted”—on the lips of Christ, knowing the Cross awaited Him. In that moment, the “cup of salvation” became the Cup of His Blood. This transforms the psalm from a song of thanksgiving into a prophetic anticipation of the New Covenant.

Reflection

What can we give to the Lord in return for all He has done for us? Like the psalmist, we must begin with humility. We raise the cup of salvation every time we approach the altar, every time we utter His name with trust, and every time we respond to grace with love. In moments of doubt or despair, this psalm reminds us: God sees us, values us, and delivers us. Are we offering Him a “sacrifice of praise,” or just going through the motions? Are our lives public witnesses of His mercy, or have we kept our gratitude private and silent? What vows have you made to the Lord—and are you living them out “in the presence of all His people”? Let this psalm be your anthem today: one of thanksgiving, freedom, and unshakable hope in the God who saves.

Holy Gospel – Matthew 12:1–8

Mercy Over Sacrifice

In The Gospel of Matthew, we encounter Jesus as both the promised Messiah and the authoritative interpreter of the Law. Written primarily for a Jewish-Christian audience, Matthew continually portrays Jesus as the fulfillment—not the abolition—of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). Today’s Gospel presents a striking confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath, a day deeply embedded in Jewish religious identity and cultural life. Observance of the Sabbath was a sign of fidelity to God’s covenant, rooted in the commandment of Exodus 20:8-11. Yet, over time, layers of human interpretation were added to protect its sanctity, sometimes to the point of obscuring its original purpose. In this scene, Jesus is not dismissing the Sabbath, but reclaiming its true meaning. He points beyond external rule-following to the heart of divine intention: mercy, not mere ritual. In doing so, He not only defends His disciples—He reveals Himself as the Lord of the Sabbath, the One who reorders our understanding of holiness, justice, and compassion. This passage ties perfectly into today’s theme: deliverance through divine mercy and the priority of relationship over legalism.

Matthew 12:1-8
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Picking Grain on the Sabbath. ¹ At that time 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. ² When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.” ³ He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, ⁴ 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? ⁵ Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent? ⁶ I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. ⁷ If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these innocent men. ⁸ For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 1 – “At that time 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.”
The disciples’ action—picking grain—would have been considered work according to strict rabbinical interpretations of the Sabbath law. Yet their hunger places the act within a context of human need. This verse sets up a tension between legal observance and compassionate response.

Verse 2 – “When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, ‘See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.’”
The Pharisees here function as guardians of the law, but their zeal for ritual purity blinds them to mercy. They do not address the disciples directly, but accuse them through Jesus, holding Him responsible as their teacher. This moment highlights the rigidity that legalism can breed—where concern for the rule overrides concern for the person.

Verse 3 – “He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry,’”
Jesus begins His defense by appealing to Scripture—specifically 1 Samuel 21:1-6. He invites the Pharisees to re-examine the Word they claim to master. David, the anointed king, was not condemned for taking the bread of the Presence in a moment of necessity. By invoking David, Jesus subtly aligns Himself with royal authority and divine purpose.

Verse 4 – “‘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?’”
Jesus underscores that even within the Law, there were exceptions when mercy or necessity took precedence. The consecrated bread, reserved for priests, was given to David and his men to preserve life. This example makes clear that legal norms are meant to serve human flourishing, not to be weapons of condemnation.

Verse 5 – “‘Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath and are innocent?’”
This is a brilliant turn. Jesus reminds them that the priests themselves “work” on the Sabbath by performing temple duties—yet they are guiltless because their service is for the sake of worship. This further dismantles the Pharisees’ rigid interpretation, showing that the Law is not absolute in isolation but finds its meaning in context.

Verse 6 – “‘I say to you, something greater than the temple is here.’”
This is a stunning claim. Jesus identifies Himself as greater than the Temple—the very heart of Jewish worship and identity. If the priests are innocent because they serve in the Temple, how much more are the disciples innocent, who walk with the living God? This verse invites a radical reordering of priorities: Jesus is the new center of worship.

Verse 7 – “‘If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these innocent men.’”
Quoting Hosea 6:6, Jesus critiques not only their interpretation of the Law, but their failure to grasp its essence. Mercy is not opposed to sacrifice—it’s what gives sacrifice its meaning. Without love, worship becomes empty. These words should shake any heart tempted to judge before showing compassion.

Verse 8 – “‘For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.’”
Jesus concludes with full authority. The Sabbath is not abolished, but its lordship belongs to Christ. As Lord of the Sabbath, He has the right to interpret its purpose and to act according to divine mercy. This declaration anchors His earlier actions: it is not the Law that defines Jesus—it is Jesus who fulfills and reveals the Law’s deepest truth.

Teachings

The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that Jesus “is the Lord of the Sabbath” and that His actions “give this day its full meaning” (CCC 2173). It explains: “Jesus’ healings on the Sabbath and His interpretation of the law of the Sabbath show the power of the Son of Man to dispense it, as He is Lord of the Sabbath”. Thus, the Sabbath is not merely a day of rest, but a sign of the covenant fulfilled in Christ, who brings rest for the soul through divine mercy.

Saint John Paul II, in his apostolic letter Dies Domini, writes: “The day of the Lord is a day of joy, rest, and solidarity. It is not a time of mere inactivity but of heartfelt worship and acts of mercy” (Dies Domini, 67). This echoes Jesus’ own teaching that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). The Gospel calls us to a Sabbath spirituality—one that is animated by mercy, not paralyzed by scrupulosity.

Saint Augustine also offers a profound insight when he writes: “Love, and do what you will. If you hold your peace, do it out of love; if you cry out, do it out of love… let the root of love be within, and from that root nothing can spring but what is good” (Sermon on 1 John 4:4-12). Jesus’ correction of the Pharisees is not a dismissal of the law, but an invitation to deeper love. The heart of the Gospel is not a list of prohibitions, but a Person who is Love incarnate.

Reflection

How often do we measure holiness by our ability to follow rules instead of our capacity to love? The Pharisees thought they were defending God’s law, but they missed the God standing right in front of them. Jesus invites us to reexamine how we relate to law, worship, and other people. Are we clinging to external observance while overlooking interior transformation? Are we quick to judge the hunger of others, or do we offer them mercy first? How is Jesus asking you to see others through the lens of mercy today—especially those you are tempted to criticize or control? The Lord of the Sabbath stands before us not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it through love. Let us walk with Him—not as fearful servants bound by ritual, but as disciples set free by mercy.

Living Marked by Mercy

Today’s readings draw us into the heart of God’s covenant—a covenant not built on mere performance, but on love, memory, and mercy. In Exodus 12, the Israelites are invited into a new life marked by the blood of the lamb and the urgency of trust. In Psalm 116, we learn how to respond to that saving love: with a heart that offers “a sacrifice of praise” and lifts “the cup of salvation” in thanksgiving. And in Matthew 12, Jesus, the true Lamb and Lord of the Sabbath, reminds us that the law was always meant to lead us to love—that “mercy, not sacrifice” is the beating heart of divine worship.

Each reading reveals a different facet of God’s saving power. He delivers us from slavery, not just of a nation, but of sin. He invites us not just to remember, but to participate in His ongoing work of redemption through the Eucharist, through mercy, through lives transformed by compassion. Jesus fulfills the Passover by becoming our Paschal Lamb. He fulfills the Sabbath by becoming our rest. And He fulfills the cry of the psalmist by loosing our bonds and drawing us into praise.

What might it look like today to eat in haste, spiritually ready to follow the Lord wherever He leads? How can you lift the cup of salvation with a grateful heart? Who in your life needs mercy more than judgment? Let God’s Word transform your worship. Let your life be more than sacrifice—let it be love in action. May we, like the Israelites, be marked by the Lamb. Like the psalmist, may we sing our thanks. And like the disciples, may we follow the Lord of the Sabbath into a deeper freedom—one shaped not by law alone, but by the mercy that saves.

Engage with Us!

We’d love to hear how God is speaking to you through today’s readings. Share your reflections in the comments below—your insights could be the encouragement someone else needs today. Whether it’s a verse that moved your heart, a new understanding of God’s mercy, or a challenge you’re wrestling with, let’s grow together in faith and love.

Reflection Questions
First Reading – Exodus 11:10–12:14
What does it mean for your life to be “marked by the blood of the Lamb”? Are there areas of bondage in your life that God is asking you to prepare to leave behind? How can you live each day with your “loins girt,” spiritually ready for God’s call?

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 116:12–13, 15–18
How has God “loosed your bonds,” and how are you responding in gratitude? What does it look like to offer a “sacrifice of praise” in your current circumstances? Are you living your faith openly, “in the presence of all His people”?

Holy Gospel – Matthew 12:1–8
Have you ever been more focused on rules than on love or mercy? Where might Jesus be inviting you to show mercy rather than judgment? What does it mean to you personally that the Son of Man is “Lord of the Sabbath”?

May these questions stir your heart, deepen your trust, and inspire you to live each moment with faith. Go forth today marked by mercy, nourished by gratitude, and guided by the love of Christ. Let every thought, word, and action reflect the compassion and freedom of the One who fulfilled the law not with condemnation, but with a Cross.

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