The Pharisees went out and took counsel against him 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."
The Word in other words
A big number of people of various sorts (about 600,000 men) left Egypt to escape from the dictatorship of the Pharaoh. This represents the Church and the diversity of its members all over the world. The Church today has been under attack in countries where Christians are minorities, especially in Muslim countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Most of them have been forced to leave their homes in haste to save their lives and families when attacked by the aggressors. Symbolic of this is the unleavened bread that they brought with them on their journey. Because of their unexpected departure, they had to leave the material comforts of their homes to seek freedom and liberty. But they always bring their faith with them wherever they go and bear witness to the people whom they meet. It is amazing to see how the Christian migrant workers bear witness to their faith in the affluent countries where the practice of religion is no longer a priority. Filipino migrants for example fill their churches on Sundays. Without them, many churches would have been closed and would serve only as museums. Because of their faith, the Christians are always available to answer the call of their God, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ.
The gospel shows the Pharisees plotting to kill Jesus. Their jealous hearts blinded their eyes from seeing the good things Jesus was doing. Their minds were closed to Jesus' new interpretation of the law. Jesus avoided them but continued to cure the sick and warned them not to make him known. Was Jesus afraid of them? St. Matthew answered this question by long citation from the prophet Isaiah which is an important key to the understanding of the personality of the Savior. Jesus Christ is the true "servant" of God, the "beloved" of the Father! Does this reality give us joy and inspire us to become true servants of God?
The saving role of Jesus is not only for those people who have the chance to receive the gospel; it is for all the nations who are loved by God in Jesus Christ whose mission is universal. What marvelous vocation of Jesus: the vocation to love. His role is to heal wounds, to give hope, not to let a small flame in one's life die, and to encourage sinners to go back to God.
- Fr. Popo Perey, SVD (DWST, Tagaytay City)
