Word to the Wise
Saturday, July 17, 2010 - Saturday in the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
[Micah 2:1-5 and Matthew 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....... [Matthew]
A teacher whose followers eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners, who heals in the synagogue on the sabbath and reaps grain as well - this is all too much for the Pharisees. They are already beginning to look for a way to get rid of Jesus. Matthew has Jesus taking a lower profile for awhile and attributes it to the description of the "suffering servant" in Isaiah who does not rely on force and power. Jesus rejected that approach during the temptation in the desert! He continues his preaching and healing but begs the people to keep quiet about it - not an easy thing to do! I am put in mind here of the many Christian missionaries who work in areas where any outward manifestation of Christian faith could bring immediate harm. Their ministry becomes a very quiet one that has its influence in healing and supporting. I also think of those wonderful parishioners whose piety and faith are matched by their quiet good deeds and without any need to be in the limelight. For Jesus there would ultimately be a "showdown" with the powers of evil. For missionaries this is always a possibility. For the "quiet" disciples there may be skepticism about their motives. Nevertheless, God's Spirit accompanies them to accomplish God's purposes. AMEN
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