If the Spirit doesn't move you, what's the use in making plans...?

...Reflections on the Lectio Divina 18th July 2025

Introduction

Today, the 18th July, I will give references and quotes from Lectio Divina of the day before sharing some personal thoughts and reflections. I highlight in bold the the words in the passage that appeared to prompt reflection.

The Word speaks to us:

Matthew 12:1-8

At that time:

Jesus went through the cornfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears of corn and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.’

He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?

I tell you, something greater than the Temple is here. And if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.’

My personal reflections and thoughts as this part of the passage struck me

Years ago there was a Police Officer whom we shall refer to as Arthur. His sole aim upon joining was to become a Traffic Officer at the end of his two year probationary period. I should add, that this was a personal mission and that, it bears no reflection on policing priorities now, or even then. In order to raise his profile as a potential candidate, he would spend his time stopping motorists to check whether there was enough water in their windscreen washer and, whether the washer itself was in good working order. If not, then Arthur saw it as his duty to report them. Tick.!

Technically of course, Arthur was correct as there was then and probably is now a Construction and Use regulation requiring an efficient means of clearing a screen. It serves the greater purpose of road safety.

Whilst Arthur was busy earning brownie points, the rest of his colleagues were even busier dealing with incidents, preventing and reporting crimes and, protecting the public.

Arthur didn’t seem to care about the public protection roles. He had found this easily proved minor offence and wanted to pursue it for his own ends.

The Pharisees in this passage come across as being pathetic and petty and, soley with the aim of undermining Jesus, seize on what was a technical infringement of the Law of the time, whilst ignoring the greater purpose of serving the One who made the Law, even failing to recognise the “Temple” of the Lord in their presence, Jesus. They are swiftly brought to task.

We too are reminded here not to focus on and judge others for minor failings and annoyances that seem to rub us up the wrong way or, because they don’t seem to comply with our plans and the way we like to live. Rather, we are reminded to live the Spirit of the faith which we profess to believe in and, so to serve its greater purpose of being considerate and forgiving, showing forbearance, kindness and love to those with whom we live and move and have our being.

“…if the Spirit doesn’t move you, what’s the use in making plans?”