“And in his name the Gentiles will hope.” MT 12:14-21

Humbly submit your will to God (Thy Will be done) and consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary and Joseph.

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.

When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

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.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope. MT 12:14-21

At first glance, today’s Gospel does not look like it is saying much or Jesus is not teaching us something. He also taught us not too long ago, “So do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” MT 10:26 This was in reference to those who can kill the body but not the soul. He asked us to pay attention and focus on the things that we cannot see, because they are eternal and infinite. Today’s Gospel is teaching us that Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah to be born, has arrived! The world has been changed forever and will never be the same. This is our HOPE in a fallen world full of sin, violence, and hatred.

“And in his name the Gentiles will hope.” MT 12:14-21 In His Name, stood out to me as I was thinking in silence. It reminded me of one of my favorite verses of the Bible.

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any ^[a]affection and compassion, ² make my joy complete ^[b]by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. ³ Do nothing ^[c]from ^[d]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Have this attitude ^[e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be ^[f]grasped, ⁷ but ^[g]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. ⁸ Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death ^[h]on a cross. ⁹ For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:1-11

So, what’s the point of today’s Gospel? Isaiah’s prophecy is being fulfilled and a Savior has been born. God the Father has reconciled the world to Himself in His Son Jesus Christ. He is not far away, but here right now, living in us, with us. God wants intimacy with His Creation. He loves them and chases after them with such love that He would send His only Son to die for them. Today, a radical revelation is being made, God, a deity, the most powerful Being in the universe, stooped so low to partake in the struggles of His creation, and made us in His image and likeness. This is madness, radical love, a love that I strive for but fall short from each day. Can this really be True?

Today’s challenge: Take some time in silence to allow God to love you. Then, love yourself because God loves you. Share this love with whoever God has put into your life, right next to you. Bend your knee to Jesus.

Be a servant, become a saint!

#Christian YOLO