My reflection is from Living Faith:
I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. Matthew 12:6
I read a story once about a man whose children were running around a train car. The other passengers frowned and harrumphed to no avail. Finally, one of them told the father his children were a disturbance and needed to be disciplined. The father looked at the passenger in surprise and apologized. He explained the family had just come from the hospital, where their mother had died.
“I don’t know about you, but my judgy gene is easily activated. In today’s gospel, Jesus reminds us to temper that tendency with mercy, for we never know the full story behind another’s actions or words. Fear may show itself as anger. Insecurity may show itself as bragging. When we judge rather than show mercy and compassion, we lose sight of what’s greater than the moment or the temple, and that’s Christ desire for mercy.
Jesus, may I show the same Mercy that I hope to receive from you.” Melanie Rigney