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” . . . . Jesus said to them: 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.” (Mt 12:1-2, 7-8)

Jesus not only sets aside the Law of God . . . he declares the guilty, innocent. Mercy indeed . . . not sacrifice.