SAINT CAMILLUS DE LELLIS, PRIEST (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. 

We all know about the “fight or flight” reaction.   It’s triggered when a person encounters a dangerous situation, and it energizes that person to either combat the threat or flee from it.   In today’s Gospel (Matthew 12:14 – 21), Jesus learns of a plot against his life and seems to choose “flight.”   He leaves the synagogue and withdraws from the town.

Jesus certainly doesn’t fight these Pharisees, but he doesn’t flee either.   He chooses to avoid confrontation and press on to advance his mission.   He continues preaching the good news to Jews and Gentiles alike—and “he cured them all” (Matthew 12:15).   He shows patience rather than confronting his detractors, probably hoping they will come to believe in him.   And so by withdrawing, he fulfills Isaiah’s words about the Servant of the Lord.   Let’s take a look at what that means for us.

He will not contend or cry out (Matthew 12:19; Isaiah 42:2).   Jesus could have corrected these Pharisees on the spot.   He had all the authority and wisdom to win every argument—but he didn’t.   He simply backed away.   Jesus knew their hearts; he gave them time.   Sometimes Jesus’ message causes us to struggle, as it did those Pharisees.   But Jesus will give us space too.   He doesn’t contend with us or heap condemning words on us.   He is patient; he allows us time to learn his ways.

A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench (Matthew 12:20; Isaiah 42:3).   Jesus must have felt angry when the Jewish leaders rejected him.   But he didn’t want to crush what little openness they had.   We too might feel bruised when God shows us our sin.   Our faith might be smoldering too, rather than blazing brightly.   How comforting that Jesus does not reject us in our brokenness or abandon us because of our weak faith!   He wants only to bring us closer to himself.   He is ready to heal our wounds and strengthen our faith.

Today, the same Jesus who was patient with the Pharisees waits for you.   Open your heart to him.

“Jesus, heal my bruises and fan my smoldering wick into flame.”

Micah 2:1-5
Psalm 10:1-4, 7-8, 14