SATURDAY, FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Ex 12: 37-42 Ps 136: 1,23-24,10-15 Mt 12: 14-21
THE KINGDOM OF MUTUAL ENCOURAGEMENT
Today’s gospel passage follows two significant incidents that reveal the growing tension between Jesus and the religious authorities. The first was yesterday’s account of the disciples plucking ears of grain to eat as they walked through the fields. The second, occurring immediately before today’s passage, showed Jesus performing a miraculous healing of the man with a withered hand. Both events took place on the Sabbath, but what truly angered the Pharisees wasn’t primarily the alleged Sabbath violations, it was the way large crowds, including many devout Jews, enthusiastically followed Jesus. Threatened by His growing influence, they feared losing their social standing, religious authority, and popular respect. This explains the ominous opening line of our passage: “The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus, how to destroy him.”
We witness similar motives throughout Scripture. Herod, driven by political convenience rather than justice, ordered John the Baptist’s execution to please Herodias and her daughter. Later, the same Herod would sacrifice justice again by yielding to pressure to crucify Jesus. What is remarkable is Jesus’ response to these threats; He never reacted in anger or fear, but maintained perfect composure, withdrawing when necessary according to the Father’s timing.
This passage holds up a mirror to our own hearts. How often do we, like the Pharisees, feel threatened when others succeed? When a colleague receives praise or a friend excels, do we celebrate, or secretly resent? Our legal systems overflow with cases prolonged by false testimony, while families suffer from needless conflicts rooted in envy. The damage is immeasurable – ruined reputations, broken relationships, and wounded souls. Jesus offers us a better way. First, He models how to face opposition with peaceful confidence, trusting in God’s timing rather than taking matters into our own hands. Second, He calls us to radical generosity of spirit – to genuinely rejoice in others’ blessings and actively support their growth. While the world operates on competition and comparison, Christ’s kingdom flourishes through mutual encouragement; it is this kingdom that we must work towards establishing.
Response: For his mercy endures forever.
Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water http://springs.carmelmedia.in