“A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory.” ( MT 12: 20)
It is natural for us to look for victory in many situations: to be right in conflict or to look for the best solution in our business. Even in daily simple situations like looking for directions—we think our option is the best, of course. Our Lord teaches us how to think about victory without fighting, bringing “justice to victory,” not by force.
“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”
“If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.” (MT 12: 7-8)
The civilization of love and life is based on four principles: the person over thing, to be more over to have more, ethic over technique, and, mentioned today, mercy over justice. When we respect these principles, we respect God and His creation.
“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (MT 11: 28)
Our Lord knows everything about work-life balance. The Creator of the world and Creator of the sabbath knows how important rest is. The most important part of our rest is not only how often to rest but also where to go to receive the best rest—“come to me and I will give you rest.”
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” (MT 11: 27)
When we live as a total and unconditional gift of selves, we share everything. What is mine becomes yours; what’s yours becomes mine. The Father is totally with His Son, and “all things have been handed over to Him by His Father.” They know each other, in a very specific way, and because They love each other, there is perfect reciprocity of knowledge between Them. We can know the Father because we are loved by the Son—we are the ones “to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.”
“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.” (MT 11: 20)
Whatever Our Lord does for us is always to improve our relationship with Him. All “of His mighty deeds [that] had been done” were signs of His love for us. This was and always is His main concern. Repentance is the proper answer on our part to bring us closer to Him.
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (MT 10: 40)
How important we are to Our Lord—all who receive the disciples of Jesus receive him and God who sent him, and they will be rewarded accordingly. He identifies with us and connects us with His Father. We can bring Him not only to our homes but also to our friends and communities. Sometimes this could bring some persecution to us, but the reward is greater than the danger—“for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.” (DT 30: 14)
Again and again God reminds us how important His word is for us. When “in our mouths,” we can memorize it and recite it, and when “in our hearts,” we can internalize it and appropriate it. When we invite into our mouths and hearts God’s words, which are “Spirit and life,” we can discover better the beauty of His love.
“Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ ‘Here I am,’ I said; ‘send me!’” (IS 6: 8)
Being “called” and being “in mission” are part of our identity. We were called to live, called to marriage or called to the consecrated life/priesthood; we have a mission among our families and in society. The only thing Our Lord expects from us is our free choice: “whom shall I send? Who will go for us? ‘Here I am,’ I said, ‘send me!’”
“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. Take with you words, and return to the LORD.” (HOS 14: 2-3)
God sent his Son, the Word made flesh, to reveal His love for us. He beckons us to “take with us our words” of love for Him and “return to the Lord.” He is ever waiting to forgive us, keeping us always in His heart.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you to all truth and remind you of all I told you.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer.” (HOS 11: 3-4)
Our Lord “draws us with human cords, with bands of love.” He draws not by rules, obligations or orders, but “with bands of love.” He doesn’t imitate father’s love, He IS our Father.
“The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)
