Matthew 12:14-21

Exodus 12:37-42

Psalm 136:1 and 23-24, 10-12, 13-15

Matthew 12:14-21

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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you knew that many would reject the message and work of your Son. You also knew they would plot his death. But you were able to draw forth the greatest good from the greatest evil. You did not break the reed or quench the wick but brought righteousness to the world through your Son.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Plotting Death on the Sabbath: There is a stark contrast between Jesus, who saved life and restored humanity to new life on the sabbath, and the Pharisees, who plotted to kill Jesus on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were quick to violate the Sabbath rest by gathering together in a council. They wanted to destroy the Lord of Life. The Pharisees represented those who rejected the Kingdom announced by Jesus. The Kingdom of Heaven brought healing and release from the power of the devil. And the Pharisees opposed this. They held fast to their human traditions and were truly blind guides. Instead of shouldering the burden of the Old Law and helping the people carry it, they added to the burden and did not lift a finger to help. They plotted to kill the one sent by God to free the people from the yoke of the Law of Moses and introduce them into the freedom of the children of God.

2. The Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecy: Matthew hinted at the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1-4 at Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration. Jesus is the servant of the Lord, chosen by the Lord God, beloved by God, and the one in whom God delights. Jesus, the servant of the Lord, will be a light to the nations and will extend God’s covenant to the Gentiles. This mission to the nations of the Gentiles will not be accomplished through the sword but through humility and gentleness. “Indeed, reading about how the servant of the Lord will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets sheds light on Jesus’ withdrawal from the Pharisees, suggesting that he is seeking to avoid escalating conflict with them (Matthew 12:14-15). Moreover, the concluding line – in his name the Gentiles will hope – hints at the theme of outsiders accepting Christ’s kingdom even though many in Israel, such as the Pharisees, reject it (see Matthew 8:10-12)” (Mitch and Sri,The Gospel of Matthew, 167).

3. The Exodus: The First Reading narrates the departure (exodus) of the people of Israel from Egypt on the night of the Passover. While the English translation of Exodus speaks of 600,000 people departing, it is also possible that the phrase means 600 families, clans, or military units (see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 230). The departure from slavery in Egypt through the waters of the sea to the freedom of the promised land looks forward to our departure (exodus) from the slavery of sin through the waters of baptism to the freedom enjoyed by the children of God. We have crossed through the baptismal waters and still wander through the desert on our way to the promised land of heaven. We are led, not by the old Moses, but by the New Moses, Jesus Christ. We are fed not with manna, but with the Eucharist, the New Manna, the Bread of Eternal Life. We are given to drink water, not from a rock in the desert, but to drink of the life-giving water of the Holy Spirit. Like Israel in the desert, we are surrounded by enemies and tempted to return to our former way of life, but we know that we are protected by Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and that our former life of sin does not bring true joy and happiness.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I hope in your name. I trust in you and your promises and know that you will grant me eternal life. Lead me always and help me to practice justice and mercy in all that I do.

Living the Word of God: How am I called to act as a servant of the Lord today? Do I rejoice in God’s call and God’s Spirit? How am I proclaiming justice to the world? How do I treat those in material and spiritual need? Do I show through my actions that I hope in the name of the Lord?