Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (12: 1-8) in which the disciples of Jesus were hungry and began pick and eat some corn as they were going through the cornfields with him on the Sabbath.

Fr Paul says, this Gospel is again another example of Jesus challenging the rigid mindset of the Pharisees when it comes to the Law.

Yes, the disciples were walking in the cornfields and yes, they were eating ears of corn. By applying the strict letter of the Law, the Pharisees complain that the disciples are doing something illegal but in fact it was allowed for hungry people to pluck and eat ears of corn by hand (not using a tool of any kind) while walking through a field.

Ultimately, in striving to be good the Pharisees had become really narrow minded and got their priorities all wrong.

Jesus makes it clear that the Law should be followed but the Law should not be used to enslave people. The Law should rather be used to promote goodness, justice and peace.

For our reflection, Fr Paul says we might ask ourselves, ‘In my life, do I weigh down and burden others around me like the Pharisees? Or do I make my priority to do, and to promote doing good?