Word to the Wise
Saturday, July 20, 2024 - Saturday in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
[Mic 2:1-5 and Matt 12:14-21]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......[Matthew quoting Isaiah]
The gospels are not mere biographies or journalism. They are, in so many ways, individual preachings of the Kingdom. The quotation in today's gospel scripture from Isaiah shows the purpose the evangelist Matthew had in mind in writing his gospel. Jesus is consistently portrayed as the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies. The particular quotation is taken from one of the "songs of the suffering servant" in Isaiah. We hear those in the daily scripture during Holy Week. But Matthew is writing for a Jewish-Christian audience and means to put forward Jesus' credentials as Messiah.
At the same time, the rejection by the Pharisees and the acceptance by ordinary folks is portrayed. The plotting of the Pharisees is underway and it will eventually result in the lethal events of Holy Week. The synoptic gospels, unlike the Gospel According to John, present a ministry that lasted only a year, which means the opposition to Jesus was working from the very outset and saw its opportunity in Jerusalem at Passover. Jesus' efforts to maintain a low profile were to no avail.
All of this makes for great drama and storytelling on the part of the evangelists, but it is the work of the Holy Spirit, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are invited to join in it through our own efforts to share that Good News as missionary disciples. AMEN