Reflection for Saturday, 15th Week of Ordinary Time 

By

 

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest, Bidar

Today's WORD of GOD 

Matthew 12  :14-21 

But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. 

God’s Chosen Servant 

Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 

He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him, 

and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 

He will not quarrel or cry out; 

no one will hear his voice in the streets. 

A bruised reed he will not break,

and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, 

till he has brought justice through to victory. 

In his name the nations will put their hope.” 

Reflection for the day 

“Conspiracy” or “Devising Wickedness” is One Common Thread that Runs in Both the Readings. 

1st Reading, Tells About the Wicked who are Evil-Minded. 

The Prophet Micah Describes the Perfect Life-Situation of the Wicked Person. He Doesn’t Act on the Spur of the Moment, He Takes Time to Make Out Plans & He Thinks through These Plans Carefully Before Executing Them.

Similarly in the Gospel, the Pharisees Conspired Against JESUS how to Destroy HIM. HE was Day by Day Becoming for Them a Thorn in the Flesh. 

Their Self-Righteousness, Stubbornness, & Self-Glory Led Them to Heights of Jealousy Against JESUS. 

JESUS Withdrew from Their Sight. HIS Withdrawal However was in No Way an Act of Cowardice or Compromise. 

It was just an Act of Prudence & Patience Waiting for HIS Appointed “Hour”. HE Had so Much to Do & Complete. 

Merely Opposing or Confronting the Pharisees was Not HIS Main Agenda. It was only a Part of HIS Larger Mission of Authentic Living.

HE would have Stopped All HIS Ministry. But HE Continues HIS Mission.

It was Not a Mission of Destruction but Reconstruction of New Hearts & Lives. 

It was a Mission of Justice Coupled with Charity. 

The Success of a Righteous Person is Always a Threat to the Wicked who Never Stops Making Plans & to Destroy the Righteous Person.

Our Responsorial Psalm Today Asks: “O LORD, Why Do YOU Stand Afar Off, & Hide in Times of Distress?”

The Wicked May Reign for a While, but They Cannot Reign Forever. 

We Only See the Wickedness of Others, We Never See Our Own Wickedness. We may be Suffering the Pains of Other People’s Wickedness but Most Often, We too are Not Immune from Inflicting Pain on Others.

It is Not the Case that GOD is Powerless to Destroy the Wicked, It is rather the Case that GOD is Giving Us Ample Time to Repent. 

When Opposition & Afflictions Come on Our Way, when Evil Forces Join Together to Trouble Us & Put Us Down, what is Our Attitude & Reaction? 

Do We Persevere Undauntedly or Do We Succumb to the Pressure & Give Up?

LORD JESUS, Save Me from the Hands of the Wicked & Give Me the Grace that I Never Become a Source of Pain & Tears to Anyone. Amen.


JULY 16 | Our Lady of Mount Carmel 

Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah in northern Israel in the 12th century. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They soon celebrated a special Mass and Office in honor of Mary. In 1726, it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as specially related to Mary. Their great saints and theologians have promoted devotion to her and often championed the mystery of her Immaculate Conception.

Saint Teresa of Avila called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” Saint John of the Cross credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel, and helping him escape from prison. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion day, Thérèse dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life she frequently spoke of Mary.

There is a tradition—which may not be historical—that Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance—a call that Mary models in a splendid way.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us.

Good Morning

Have an amazing day and a fruitful weekend

Happy feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel.