Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Matthew 12: 14-21
July 19, 2025 | Saturday

Today’s Gospel

Then the Pharisees went out, and made plans to get rid of Jesus. As Jesus was aware of their plans, he left that place. Many people followed him, and he cured all who were sick. But he gave them strict orders not to make him known.

In this way, Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled:

Here is my servant, whom I have chosen; the one I love, and with whom I am pleased. I will put my spirit upon him; and he will announce my judgment to the nations.

He will not argue or shout, nor will his voice be heard in the streets. The bruised reed he will not crush, nor snuff out the smoldering wick until he brings justice to victory, and in him, all the nations will put their hope.

Today’s Reflection

The Pharisees made plans to get rid of Jesus. It is a tragic reality that many of those in power or position would often go to great lengths, oftentimes even by committing crimes, to crush or eliminate those that they perceive as a threat to them. Christ’s message of love and compassion is so opposed to their rigid interpretation of the law and their worldly values that they were now willing to kill to do away with Him.

When in life, there are these powerful forces arrayed against the good that we are doing, what are we to do? Let us learn from Jesus. When He became aware of the conspiracy “to put him to death . . . he withdrew from that place.” He distanced Himself from the threat, for it is important to be prudent and to know when to leave. We should steer clear of confrontation or conflict if we can. Jesus momentarily took Himself out of the public eye not out of fear or anger but to ensure that He could continue His mission of salvation. Many people followed Him, and He cured them all, but He warned them not to make Him known. “We must toil for Jesus following His loving way – peaceful, patient, purposive, persevering – while ever trustful of His protection. We should be like Jesus, who is so gentle that “He will not contend or cry out . . . a bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench until he brings justice to victory.”

However, the time came when Jesus courageously faced His adversaries to actualize His redemptive love by surrendering Himself to suffer and die on the Cross. When we, too, must stand up for our faith, let us directly meet our detractors peaceably, placidly, and poised as we persistently proclaim our faith in Christ, our Lord.

/Vulnerasti, 2025