Word to the Wise
Saturday, July 21, 2012 - Saturday in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
[Mic 2:1-5 and Matt 12:14-21]The Pharisees went out and took counsel gainst 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...
Today's gospel scripture is an example of the reflection of the community after the death and resurrection of Jesus. They looked at all the aspects of his life as various members recalled them and also brought together the stories that were circulating among believers. The tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities was an example. The Gospel of Matthew sees this tension as occurring long before the cleansing of the temple and that the plot against Jesus was well underway by the time he went to Jerusalem. It needed only a "trigger" - the temple incident plus the treachery of Judas Iscariot. This is why Jesus tried to keep his reputation from becoming too public. The community saw it as a fulfillment of the description in Isaiah of the "Suffering Servant," which is quoted in today's gospel.
We, too, can read the stories of Jesus in the gospels and then consider how we can read the Old Testament in the light of these stories. Many of us simply leave the Old Testament aside, which impoverishes our understanding of God's plan of salvation. On Holy Saturday, this plan is laid out in great majesty at the Easter Vigil, but the length of the service discourages many from attending! We should remember that the first Christians had only the Old Testament to guide them in their understanding of Jesus. Much of this required good memory because only folks like the scribes and some of the Pharisees knew how to read! We do not have that excuse. St. Paul, a former Pharisee, appeals often to the Old Testament in his interpretation of Jesus' death and resurrection. Today's first scripture from MIcah offers us an opportunity. Read the first line from the gospel and then the first line from Micah. That will help get things going! AMEN
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