Word to the Wise
Saturday, July 16, 2011 - Saturday in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
[Exod 12:37-42 and Matt 12:14-21,1018]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......
The action of the Pharisees and Jesus' response come at the end of two contentious encounters involving what kinds of activity were permitted on the Sabbath. In the first of these encounters, Jesus' disciples picked grain from a field. In the second, Jesus cured a man with a withered hand in the synagogue. In both cases, in response to the Pharisees' objections, Jesus confronts them with values that place human need over social/religious observance. To relieve hunger and human suffering is a greater priority than strict observance of the sabbath. He points out the values of mercy and the fact that even Pharisees might rescue a farm animal on the sabbath. Is not a suffering human of greater value?
The response of the Pharisees is contrasted with that of Jesus. They start plotting violence. He takes a low profile, for which Matthew finds support in Isaiah 42:1-4, one of the Songs of the Suffering Servant. Jesus is as determined and gentle as the prophet describes. The Pharisees are determined but violent. The Gospel of Matthew makes the contrast rather dramatic. I find in this contrast some food for thought. How do we react when we feel our religious beliefs and conduct are threatened? The threat may not necessarily come from the "outside." During the last presidential campaign, there were very vocal calls by some Catholics for excommunication of Catholic politicians who were seen to be supportive of abortion. A provision of the Code of Canon Law, C. 915, was continually quoted and the language on the internet and blogs was nothing like the response we see from Jesus! Similar language and conduct could be found from those who protested the use of torture by Catholic military and civilian authorities in regard to prisoners of war. Both abortion and torture are considered "intrinsic evils" in Catholic teaching! The Pharisees were acting in response to what they considered a major threat to their faith! This response ultimately led to the arrest and death of Jesus. Do we seek "excommunication" in the same way? I dread the next round of elections next year!
Jesus' gentle but determined continuation of his ministry in the face of determined opposition is a model for all of us, no matter what the issue may be. AMEN