One to the things that impressed me the most about our Gospel today was the gentle nature of Jesus. He quietly cured people who followed Him. But, He knew the notoriety of these cures was securing His death sentence. He told people not to tell anyone because He had work to do: establish His Church on earth and the job was not complete.
“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.” These are the words from Isaiah 42:1-4 quoted in today’s gospel.
Did you notice the phrase the Gentiles will hope? In Isaiah’s time Gentiles were outcasts. The people of Isaiah’s day must have questioned his prophesies because of that statement. Isaiah was describing the person of Jesus. A bruised reed he will not break. Jesus will never force us to do the right thing but He does lead in a careful, gentle way to do the right thing as a nation and as a people. We have problems all around us. Just as the summer breeze blows over our faces so does the gentle nature of Jesus, that encourages us and cures not only our bodies, but our souls.
In our first reading from Micah 2:1 “Woe to those who plan iniquity, and work out evil on their couches;” How do we conquer evil but with justice? The Spirit that is working in us does not force someone to do the right thing but to convince them by quiet actions and prayer. Sometimes we have disagreements in all personal relationships including marriages and nations.
My ten year-old granddaughter, Victoria, has been visiting her dad in Oklahoma. Her dad and stepmother go to a Pentecostal Church and members of this church tried to tell her that Catholics were not a Christians. This attitude is something everyone who is a Catholic uncovers in their lives from time to time. It is not only with Protestants but with those who do not believe in God at all. The example of Jesus is simply to show them we are Christians by our actions. This little girl politely said that she disagreed.
This Pentecostal church also said that if you are a lesbian or a gay that you are automatically going to hell. We all are critical of others sometimes, who are open sinners but please, please do not tell me about the plank in my own eye. My granddaughter, Victoria, simply said that it is not up to us to throw the first stone but we are told to love one another. My granddaughter was not saying something wrong was right. She was saying that we can not judge anyone, but to love them and guide them – where they are. That gentle voice, that bruised reed is our example. I do not think my granddaughter changed the minds of the members of her father’s church, but she did stand her ground and is wise beyond her years. Jesus also said to be more like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. I see what Jesus sees in her.
In Ezekiel 33:7-9 “You, son of man—I have appointed you as a sentinel for the house of Israel; when you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them for me. When I say to the wicked, “You wicked, you must die,” and you do not speak up to warn the wicked about their ways, they shall die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their blood. If, however, you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, but they do not, then they shall die in their sins, but you shall save your life.”
Jesus will never tell us that it is okay to sin. Sin is our separation from God and Jesus could never tell us this. He will tell us He loves us and wants us to love everyone, even the sinner who is hard to love. We have a duty to warn the wicked of their ways but not to judge. This is hard for adults who are trying to do the right thing and teach their children right from wrong. Micah and Ezekiel also are both warning against evil but how do we accomplish this goal? How did Jesus, our model of Christianity, convert sinners? A bruised reed he shall not break. He loved the sinner and told them not to sin again. Soft and gentle, not loud and accusing, but in no way did Jesus change His message.
In Isaiah we hear the gentle spirit of Jesus as Hope to the gentiles. My prayer is that in our comings and goings as we spread the word of Jesus in a gentle way that as the song goes, ” they will know we are Christians by our love.” The lives of the Saints are full of stories of gentle loving people. Hopefully today, I can give the hope of Jesus in all that I do, and they will know I am a Catholic and a Christian when I do it.
God Bless
Bob Burford
