Greetings on this the Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ex 12:37-42; PS 136:1 and 23-24, 10-12, 13-15; Mt 12:14-21
Notes: Weekday continuous reading on the Exodus.
The 1619 Project was launched in August 2019 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Africans arriving in colonial Virginia. 430 years from 1619 is 2049. The African Exodus is almost over. Just something to consider.
First reading
The time the children of Israel had stayed in Egypt
was four hundred and thirty years.
At the end of four hundred and thirty years,
all the hosts of the LORD left the land of Egypt on this very date.
Responsorial Psalm
His mercy endures forever.
Alleluia Verse
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Gospel Portion
Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Jesus wants conversion. He doesn’t demand change as we might want him to do.
He encourages. A slower path and yet saves more souls.
Just this week we see the pattern of withdrawal, rest and refreshment:
- He went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns.
- Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
- He withdrew.
- Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while (16th Sunday).
Bringing Justice to Victory yet protecting the reed and wick is part of the divine mandate having been entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench.
- A bruised reed would be the soul of a person who has endured much agony.
- A smoldering wick would be the soul of a person conflicted in the right path.
We can contend or cry out, or yell our voice in the streets.
It is better to be gentle.
Gentle justice.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 