Blessed Virgin Mary

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     
Exodus 12:37-42

 The Israelites left Rameses for Succoth,

About six hundred thou­sand of them on the march, counting the men only, and not the children. A great number of other people of all descriptions went with them, as well as sheep and cattle in droves.

 With the dough they had brought with them from Egypt, they made cakes of unleavened bread. It had not risen, for when they were driven from Egypt they could not delay and had not even provided themselves with food.

 The Israelites had been in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years.   It was at the end of these four hundred and thirty years to the very day that the armies of Yahweh left Egypt.  This is the watch for Yahweh who brought Israel out of Egypt. This night is for Yahweh, and all the Israelites are also to keep vigil on this night, year after year, for all time.

 

Ps 136:1 & 23-24, 10-12, 13-15

His mercy endures forever.

 

＊＊＊＊ 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：

Prudence is the greater part of valor. Jesus knowing that the Pharisees had plans to eliminate Him went to the countryside where the powers of religious authorities is not that strong. In here, we see that the hostilities of others do not hinder Jesus from doing His work.

It only needs creative adjustment for Him to continue what He is doing. For obstacles need not paralyze us. We need to flow around it like water and continue our course unhindered. And so, Jesus went to other places still safe for Him to continue His ministry. He also cautioned people not to broadcast His presence.

And so, Jesus stays in the peripheries because the heat is in the center. It is not yet time to confront the powers that be headlong. The movement has to mature before it would confront powerful enemies.