July 21, 2018 Saturday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time-B
Micah 2:1-5
Psalm 10
Matthew 12:14-21
Woe to those who plan iniquity… Micah 2:1
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. Mt. 12:14
Lord, we have a saying that goes: “no good deed goes unpunished”. I think it means that we often suffer as a result of doing what is right and good. Why did the Pharisees want you dead? Was it because you healed the man with the deformed hand on the Sabbath? There must be a lot more to it than that. You had the power to silence them, even to strike back at them to defend yourself. Instead you chose to keep silent and walk away. Other times you did confront your adversaries and bravely continued your mission of healing and leading the people to your kingdom. You knew eventually you would surrender yourself to them and allow yourself to be sacrificed on the altar of the cross. Lord, guide our hearts to continue to be open to the will of God like you were. There is a huge need to serve you in the poor, the neglected, the handicapped and vulnerable. There is so much hunger in our world: physical and spiritual. Help me today to follow you and accept the effects of my good works both good and bad. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.