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.
— Matthew 12:14-21
The peace of the Lord be with you. This Gospel today, and the reference to Isaiah, demonstrates the radical gentleness and great love of God the Father and Jesus. Not only does God the Father invite the Gentiles to become part of his family, but through the person of Jesus, he continues to heal — despite death threats and plots against his life. That is how radical the love of God is. Why would anyone want to reject such a loving offer?
Unfortunately, throughout the course of human history, a lot of evil has been conducted and done in God’s name, which has given people the wrong understanding of who and what God is. As Christian people and followers of Jesus, we need to be very careful not to scandalize the community or the wider world.
May the grace of God help us to think carefully about our choices and our actions so that we only become light in the darkness, not light that is overcome by darkness. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.