Loins girt

Greetings on this the Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ex 11:10—12:14; Ps 116:12-13, 15 and 16bc, 17-18; Mt 12:1-8
Notes: Loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand means to be ready to journey immediately.

We are on a peregrinos journey like Abraham moving from one place to another.
We are on an Exodus journey like Moses moving from prison to freedom.
We are on a transformative journey like the disciples moving from sacrifice to mercy.

Place to place.
Slavery to freedom.
Sacrifice to mercy.
Walk with the Lord.

For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it; a burnt offering you would not accept. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn (PS 51:18-19).

There is an urgency to this journey.
The urgency is from our need for the Lord, for healing and for peace on Earth.
Like the disciples in today’s gospel portion, we are invited to walk before [with] the LORD.

For my soul has been freed from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the LORD in the land of the living (PS116:8-9)

First Reading
This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you shall eat like those who are in flight.
It is the Passover of the LORD.

Responsorial
I will take [raise] the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord, I know them, and they follow me.

Gospel
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.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry