+ It is amazing, but we have such timely readings in the
light of what is going on in the world as a result of spineless, cowardly
terrorism. The first reading from the Prophet Micah proclaims woe to those who plan iniquity, and work out evil on
their couches: in the morning light
they accomplish it when it lies within their power. This is a chilling
reminder of what premeditated murder looks like up-close.
In the gospel passage, on the
other hand, Jesus himself is the object of killing counsel plotted by the
Pharisees. And even on his way to live out his final Passion (a very slow kind
of execution), Jesus cured people and showed compassion and he asked that at
this point news about him not be spread: so that as was prophesied by Isaiah
may be fulfilled: the servant of the Lord
will have my Spirit placed on him to help him in his trials, and he himself
shall be as gentle as can be: he will not cry out so as to disturb anyone, his
presence will not even be enough to break a bruised reed, nor extinguish a
smoldering wick – BUT HE WILL BRING JUSTICE TO VICTORY! and in his name the
Gentiles will hope!
This means that we must leave
all avenging and revenging (and our desire for it) up to the One alone who is
most qualified to accomplish true and definitive JUSTICE, and to turn all
iniquity into VICTORY by means of his Cross of Suffering!
We pray today for the victims
of terror attacks, we pray for their families and we pray for the one who
actually are the perpetrators: but even they will have the benefit of crying
out for God’s mercy and forgiveness, if only in the secret recess of their own
hearts, and it will up to God and to God alone to conduct that court of appeal!
God
was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the
message of reconciliation!
No comments:
Post a Comment