"Suffering Servant"
Jesus’ integrity and powerful message of love a real threat to their power. The reaction of the Pharisees: they decide to kill Jesus.
He brings us hope by curing our ills. How can I walk in Jesus’ footsteps?

Our Lady of Mount Carmel 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

Micah 2:1-5

 Woe to those who plot wickedness and

Plan evil even on their beds! When morning comes they do it, as soon as it is within their reach.  If they covet fields, they seize them. Do they like houses? They take them. They seize the owner and his household, both the man and his property.

 This is why Yahweh speaks, “I am plotting evil against this whole brood, from which your necks cannot escape. No more shall you walk with head held high for it will be an evil time.”

 On that day they will sing a taunt­ing song against you and a bitter lamentation will be heard, “We have been stripped of our property in our homeland. Who will free us from the wicked who allots our fields.”   Truly, no one will be found in the assembly of Yahweh to keep a field for you.

 

Ps 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14

Do not forget the poor, O Lord!

 

  ＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

Matthew 12:14-21

Then the Pharisees went out and made plans to get rid of him.  As Jesus was aware of the plot, he went away from that place. Many people followed him and he cured all who were sick.   Then 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. He will persist until justice is made victorious and in him all the nations will put their hope.”

   

Gospel Reflection：

Pastoral Prudence

Jesus was not a coward to withdraw from the town where his enemies were plotting against him. Being a reader of hearts, he knew what they were up to; but he also knew that it was yet “the hour” of confrontation or Passion. When the “appointed time” came, he would go directly to Jerusalem, but not now.

So, he left the town, but continued to do fearlessly what he had always done: bringing healing and joy into the lives of the people. Matthew tells us specifically that Jesus cured all who came to him. He did not discriminate or look at the eligibilities of those who came to him.

His service was for all. In the midst of suffering and opposition, Christians should take heart from this example: We do not have to add fire to every antagonism; but we must also not cease from our God-given mission to build up the lives of the people. Pastoral prudence is what we need.