Universal Utterings

for July 17, 2026

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07-17-2026 Matthew 12 v0108 Son Of Man Is Lord Of The Sabbath

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The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 12 Verse 1 thru 8

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.”

In Matthew 12:1-8, Jesus confronts the Pharisees about their rigid adherence to the Sabbath law. As His disciples pick grain on the Sabbath, the Pharisees challenge them, accusing them of breaking the Law. Jesus responds by reminding them of a scriptural example where David and his companions ate the consecrated bread out of necessity. He emphasizes that mercy takes precedence over mere ritual compliance, stating, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

The phrase "Lord of the Sabbath" declares Jesus’ divine authority over the Sabbath, a day central to Jewish law and tradition, intended for rest and worship. Here, Jesus reveals that He has come to fulfill and redefine the purpose of the Sabbath. Instead of a burdened adherence to rules, the Sabbath should embody the mercy and compassion of God, reflecting His character.

When Jesus says, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," He underscores God's desire for love and kindness over ritualistic observance. The Pharisees were so focused on the law that they missed the heart of God’s intention: mercy and compassion should guide their actions. This was a radical shift from the legalistic mindset, emphasizing the spirit of the law rather than the letter.

Furthermore, Jesus’ actions and sayings challenge us today to evaluate our practices of faith. Are we prioritizing rules over relationships? Are we extending mercy to others in our communities, reflecting the heart of God? By embracing Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath, we learn that true devotion is marked not by strict adherence to rules but by an understanding of God’s love and a call to act with mercy towards others. In our worship and daily lives, we are invited to embody this mercy, reflecting the character of Christ. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,

Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®

Ephesians 6:17-20

07-17-2026 Matthew 12 v0108

**Son Of Man Is Lord Of The Sabbath**

In fields of grain, on a Sabbath day,

The hungry walked, in the light's soft ray.

With hands outstretched, they plucked the grain,

And in their hunger, found solace from pain.

Pharisees watched with a furrowed brow,

“Why do they toil? It’s forbidden now!”

Yet love draped the actions of those who crave,

For mercy, not sacrifice, is what He gave.

"Have you not read?" the Teacher replied,

Of David's need, and the bread he did provide.

In sacred space, where hunger is real,

The heart of the law is to love and to heal.

For greater than temples is kindness bestowed,

And mercy and compassion, the true heart's road.

So let not the law bind your spirit in chains;

For the Son of Man, in love forever reigns.

Oh, lessons unveiled in the grain-filled fields,

The hungry are fed, and the broken are healed.

In the silence of love, let our hearts resonate,

For mercy is greater; it is never too late. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

July 17, 2026 @ 05:11 AM EST

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