July 21, 2018
Saturday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
Exodus 12:37-42 ;
Psalm 136:1, 23-24, 10-15;
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
"Suffering Servant"
Today Gospel passage is very important in the life of Jesus. It is a turning point in his ministry. Until now he was ministering to the Israel. He preached, cured and presented himself as the expected one of Israel. But in today’s Gospel we see that the leaders of Israel became intolerant of Jesus because of their prejudice. Nothing that Jesus would do or say from this point on would be right in their eyes. They conspired, not simply to oppose Jesus but to eliminate him. This becomes a cycle that continues throughout the life of Jesus that whenever Jesus would perform a miracle, the religious leaders would plot his death, and he would withdraw to safety. Jesus not just withdraws to safety but he continues his ministry of establishing the Kingdom of God by his preaching and miracles. He did not compromise with the religious leaders, nor did he shy away from his mission.
The reaction of Jesus towards this situation is summarized by Matthew by quoting from the "Suffering Servant" prophecies of Isaiah to explain how Jesus the Messiah would accomplish his mission of establishing the Kingdom of God – not through crushing power – but through love and sacrificial service. He does not bruise the weak or treat them with contempt, but rather shows understanding and compassion. He does not discourage the fainthearted but gives hope, courage, and the strength to persevere through trying circumstances. In place of a throne Jesus chose to mount the cross and wear a crown of thorns. He was crucified as our Lord and King. Jesus died not only for the Jews but for all the Gentile nations as well.
Sometimes we also find ourselves in similar situations. May be we find ourselves in the shoes of Pharisees when we are confronted with people who does not fit our way of thinking. Do we then behave like the Pharisees? We are also confronted with difficult situations like where we are opposed due our commitment to Jesus. Do we then react like Jesus?
Fr. Cyril Kuttiyanikkal CMI
