From the responsorial psalm: “You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow, taking them in your hands. On you the unfortunate man depends; of the fatherless you are the helper. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 12:14-21)
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.
As Jesus cures the people who come to him, he warns them to keep quiet about the miracles he performs. Matthew tells us that this is to fulfill what the LORD had spoken through Isaiah. As the Pharisees sought to put Jesus to death, the prophecy of Isaiah has the Son of God proclaiming justice and hope to the Gentiles with a voice that does “not contend or cry out” and is not heard in the streets. The justice and victory Jesus brings to Gentiles and to every person is his passion, death, and resurrection in obedience to the Father, who delights in his beloved Son.
God, here we see Jesus hushing the people he cares for and cures. Jesus withdrew when he learned the Pharisees sought his death, yet people followed him. For every one he heals, he tells them to keep quiet about his miraculous works. Your beloved Son remained hidden to completely fulfill what you had spoken through the prophets. Let me see this today as a dual example: Jesus completely fulfills all of the Old Testament prophecies as the Servant of the Lord, and he does this through complete trust in your will and obedience to it. By way of the cross, he brings salvation to all.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.