The man and His mission – Saturday, 15th Week in ordinary time – Mt 12:14-21

The man and His mission – Saturday, 15th Week in ordinary time – Mt 12:14-21

Chapters 11 and 12 of the Gospel of Matthew see the unfolding hatred for Jesus. Verse 14 makes their intention abundantly clear; “the Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.” Interestingly Jesus is least bothered about being on the popularity charts of the Pharisees. He is literally a man for the masses, a man on a mission and that’s what he does in the face of constant opposition.

Human tendency, by and large, responds negatively to criticism often causing one to withdraw. For Jesus that was a luxury he could not afford. He had a mission and doing the will of the father was paramount for him. Scripture tells us that, “When Jesus realized this (the plot of the Pharisees), he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all.”

Perhaps there is something for us to ponder about. It is essential to reflect both on the message and the man, for Jesus’ words were backed by his actions. Jesus is fully human and fully divine and hence Jesus surely experienced the rejection, hate and animosity. He was not protected by a divine shield that sanitized him from human emotions of pain and suffering, yet he chose to focus on the positive, he chose to move on and do not merely good work but God’s work.

If in any way you are experiencing rejection, pain or anxiety, look to the Lord Jesus. Often pain makes us wallow in self-pity. We end up looking at our loss rather than the possibility of making others gain. If you want to step out of negative emotions then fill your life with positive ones. Jesus stepped out and healed people, he continued to bring light to others despite the darkness of men that surrounded him.

Fr Warner D’souza  

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2 thoughts on “The man and His mission – Saturday, 15th Week in ordinary time – Mt 12:14-21”

  • Studious and deep reflection on the daily Gospel. What I appreciate is the different line of thought that is offered. Keep it up Father!

    Reply
  • So true Fr., Most of us wouldn’t be able to act positively while surrounded by negativity.

    Yet in today’s Gospel Jesus shows us how He responds to a negative situation he is faced with…

    🙏

    Reply

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