MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 18 JULY
July 18, 2025
FEAST OF SAINT JOHN PLESSINGTON, PRIEST AND MARTYR – 19th JULY
July 19, 2025
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
18 JULY, 2025
Matthew 12:1-8
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.
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him,
“See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.”
He said to the them, “Have you not read what David did
when he and his companions were hungry,
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?
Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath
the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath
and are innocent?
I say to you, something greater than the temple is here.
If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
you would not have condemned these innocent men.
For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
Laws are good. They help to keep society in order and maintain security of life and property. However, tied to the law is the spirit of the law. Beyond order and security, the law looks out for the good of human beings. Any law that stands against this good is not a just law. We are a fortunate people. We are guided not just by laws in our journey to salvation; we are guided by laws and grace. Every day we are confronted with choices between good and evil. Our choices daily should be informed by the laws of God and also by complete reliance on the grace of God.
PRAYER
O Lord, I am weak and broken, surrounded on all sides by corruption and perversion. Lord have mercy on me: protect me from my enemies who devour me, and guide me in the way of perfection. No matter what happens to me, whether it be an attack or a seduction, may my love for you protect me from falling into sin. May I live a holy life no matter what others do around me. Amen
