Reflection by Sem. Johannjames Arada
What if love was never meant to be convenient?
Have you ever noticed that it’s easy to love people who love us back? Easy to be patient when people are kind. Easy to forgive when the mistake isn’t that big. Easy to stay when everything feels good. But what happens when love becomes inconvenient?
When someone disappoints you. When someone misunderstands you. When your kindness isn’t appreciated. When you’re the only one making the effort. Suddenly, love feels expensive.
And that’s where today’s Gospel speaks.
The disciples were hungry, so they picked some grain to eat while walking through the field. It wasn’t about breaking the law. It wasn’t about disrespect. They were simply hungry. But the Pharisees didn’t see their need; they only saw a rule that had been broken.
And honestly, don’t we do the same?
Sometimes we’re so busy pointing out people’s mistakes that we forget to ask what they’re going through. We see the attitude, but not the pain behind it. We see the failure, but not the battle they’re silently fighting. We judge the action without knowing the story.
But Jesus—Jesus always sees deeper.
Instead of condemning His disciples, He defended them. Instead of choosing legalism, He chose love. Instead of focusing on the law, He focused on the heart. Then He says something that changes everything: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
In other words, “I’d rather you have a loving heart than a perfect record.”
Because love has never been about being right all the time. Love is about seeing people the way God sees them. And maybe that’s the hardest kind of love.
Because loving people isn’t always easy. Sometimes it means forgiving someone who never apologized. Sometimes it means praying for someone who hurt you. Sometimes it means staying kind even when people misunderstand your intentions.
And that’s exactly what Jesus does for us.
He knows every part of us—the parts we show everyone and even the parts we try to hide. He knows our failures, our doubts, and our sins. Yet He never says, “You’re too broken for Me.” Instead, He keeps saying, “Come to Me.”
That’s love.
A love that doesn’t keep score. A love that doesn’t give up after one mistake. A love that chooses mercy again, and again, and again.
Maybe that’s why this Gospel is so challenging. Because Jesus isn’t just asking if we know how to love. He’s asking, “Does your love look like Mine?”
A love that understands before it judges. A love that listens before it speaks. A love that stays compassionate even when it’s difficult.
Because anyone can love when it’s convenient. But Christ-like love shows up even when it costs something.
So maybe today, before you correct someone, understand them. Before you judge someone, pray for them. Before you give up on someone, remember how many times God never gave up on you.
Because in the end, love isn’t proven by how we feel. It’s proven by how we choose.
And every single day, Jesus chooses us.
The question is: Will we choose to love like Him?
“Leaves” by Ben&Ben:
“All will be alright in time.”
This song beautifully reflects God’s patient and enduring love. Just as Jesus patiently loves us despite our imperfections, we’re invited to extend that same patient, compassionate love to others. Sometimes love isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about staying, trusting, and believing that God is still working in every heart.
Amen.
By Jan Ernest PÃ ting
A second-year AB Philosophy student and aspirant of the Society of Saint Paul. He is currently discerning his vocation to the religious life inspired by the footsteps of the great apostle Paul.