Todays Readings & Reflection: Saturday, July 19, 2014 (Memorial of Saint Justa, virgin and martyr) First Reading: Micah 2:1-5 Woe to those who plan iniquity, and work out evil on their couches; In the morning light they accomplish it when it lies within their power. They covet fields, and seize them; houses, and they take them; They cheat an owner of his house, a man of his inheritance. Therefore thus says the LORD: Behold, I am planning against this race an evil from which you shall not withdraw your necks; Nor shall you walk with head high, for it will be a time of evil. On that day a satire shall be sung over you, and there shall be a plaintive chant: “Our ruin is complete, our fields are portioned out among our captors, The fields of my people are measured out, and no one can get them back!” Thus you shall have no one to mark out boundaries by lot in the assembly of the LORD. Responsorial Psalm: (PS 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14) R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord! 1) Why, O LORD, do you stand aloof? Why hide in times of distress? Proudly the wicked harass the afflicted, who are caught in the devices the wicked have contrived. 2) For the wicked man glories in his greed, and the covetous blasphemes, sets the LORD at nought. The wicked man boasts, “He will not avenge it”; “There is no God,” sums up his thoughts. 3) His mouth is full of cursing, guile and deceit; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. He lurks in ambush near the villages; in hiding he murders the innocent; his eyes spy upon the unfortunate. 4) You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow, taking them in your hands. On you the unfortunate man depends; of the fatherless you are the helper. Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21 (THE CHOSEN SERVANT) 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: HE WITHDRAW. Because of controversy over the Sabbath, the Pharisees feel greatly offended and take control on how to put Jesus to death. Realizing this, Jesus withdraws and keep his distance, not for fear of the religious leaders or of his life. Neither does he abandon his preaching ministry. Matthew explains Jesus retreat as guided by Isaiahs prophecy about the mysterious Ebed YHWH or Gods Servant. This servant will accomplish Gods mission of liberating people not by the use of force or violence but by meekness and suffering. Scholars have debated on this historical figure Isaiah referred to. It is perhaps one of many prophetic oracles waiting for the right person to fulfill them. This person is no other than Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God. Jesus decision and movement are guided by God with whom he communes in prayer. Jesus does not recklessly put himself in danger. But when he knows that the time for him to suffer has come, again in the manner of Gods Servant, he will set his face to Jerusalem where he will fulfill his destiny: to suffer greatly, to die, but to rise again after three days. Prudence is the knowledge of what is to be sought and avoided (St. Augustine). - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops / 365 days w/ the Lord (Liturgical Biblical Diary 2014) Have a happy weekend everyone!
Posted on: Sat, 19 Jul 2014 05:43:39 +0000
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