20 July, 2024 | Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

 Mi 2:1-5

Gospel Mt 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.

Reflection:

Jesus the powerful son of God, withdraws from the district because of the Pharisees who, instead of accepting him and being saved, were plotting to kill him. He went around preaching and healing the sick and driving out devils. Here we see that, unlike the Pharisees, the outcasts, the so-called sinners who knew that they needed Jesus, accept him and listen to him and so they receive graces and favours. Jesus withdrew because he came not to destroy but to save. He came not to dominate but to be a humble, “suffering servant,” as Isaiah spoke of him. Through suffering and death he would save the fallen humankind. He will only strengthen the weak and will never discourage them. He will lift up the fallen ones. Yes, Jesus came for you and me who are weary and broken- hearted; in him we shall always have hope and strength. 

Activity: 

Give hope and Justice to the underprivileged.