FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Exodus (Exodus 12:37-42)
This is the night when the Lord brought Israel out of the land of Egypt.
In those days: The sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very many cattle, both flocks and herds. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt, for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any provisions. The time that the sons of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. It was a night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the Lord by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 136:1 and 23-24.10-12. 13-15 (R. 1b)
R/. For his mercy endures forever.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
He remembered us in our distress,
for his mercy endures forever.
And he snatched us away from our foes,
for his mercy endures for ever. R.
The firstborn of the Egyptians he smote,
for his mercy endures forever.
He brought Israel out from their midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
with mighty hand and outstretched arm,
for his mercy endures forever. R.
R/. For his mercy endures forever.
The Red Sea he divided in two,
for his mercy endures forever;
he made Israel pass through the midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
he flung Pharaoh and his force in the Red Sea,
for his mercy endures forever. R.
ALLELUIA 2 Corinthians 5 :19
Alleluia. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“He ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 12:14-21)
At that time: The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus, how to destroy him. Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all, and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will any one hear his voice in the streets; he will not break a bruised reed or quench a smouldering wick, till he brings justice to victory; and in his name will the Gentiles hope.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Jesus knowing of the plot to destroy him, withdraws from the district, but continues his mission of curing the sick. A simple, itinerant preacher and son of a humble carpenter and followed by a few fishermen, he has no place to lay his head, no power, no authority, no weaponry and no wealth. As Isaiah had foretold, “He will no brawl or cry out, his voice is not heard in the streets; he will not break the crushed reed, or snuff the faltering wick….” And yet, he becomes a threat to the establishment and inconvenient to the ruling and religious classes. Their position of power gets shaky with his new brand of teaching. They thought it best to do away with him. The only power that Jesus exercises is the power from God; as Isaiah foretells again, “I will send my spirit upon him, and he will present judgement to the nations” he becomes the hope of the nations by the power of God. My life and destiny depend on him.