My beloved, with whom my heart pleased

Ex. 12:37-42, Mt. 12:14-21. Today's first reading tells the story of how God led the people of Israel out of Egypt. The whole nation of over six hundred thousand people after four hundred and thirty years in Egypt. This journey became the climax of the story of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob-Israel and Joseph, as their descendants are finally leaving Egypt to journey to the land which had been promised to them. This event is so significant in Hebrew history, that it is commemorated each year as the Feast of Passover. It celebrates the freedom of the chosen people of God and the fulfilment of the promises to give the Israelites their own land. Jacob’s family alone, extending to over seventy people, had by then blossomed to a large nation, despite all the efforts by Pharaoh and the Egyptians to snuff them out. Despite the harsh treatments and slavery they experienced during the last decades of their stay in Egypt, the Israelites grew and spread ever more in numbers and God was with them all through the way.

In daily life we encounter all sorts of “crushed reeds” and “smouldering wicks”. At times indeed we ourselves can be the crushed reed or the smouldering wick. When we are at our most vulnerable, we need a power that can nurture, sustain and encourage us. Such is the power of the risen Lord, the power of the Spirit and our calling is to be the channels of that life-giving power and encouragement to each other. In today's Gospel, Jesus is presented to us as the fulfillment of the Suffering Servant of God as spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased." Filled with the Spirit of God, He is humble, faithful, merciful, gentle and caring. Obviously the Lord Jesus is virtues par excellence and we are challenged to imitate Him. To be gentle and humble does not mean we should a life denial, but knowing who we are and honestly living and acting in a way which demonstrates our God given potential. It means treating others in a way which respects them as children of God and inviting them into a closer relationship with God, just as Jesus did. If we ignore our neighbour’s troubles, we hardly deserve the name of Christian. Like Jesus we have some power to cure and heal, quietly, without ostentation. We cannot disregard the outsider without being called to account by God. As we open our hearts to people of mixed ancestry, according to the example of Jesus, we will be apostles of hope, not just for others but also for ourselves. In many ways, others can teach us how to be God’s chosen people.

May the Lord make our lives here on earth proclaim the glory of God, so that we may praise Him without ceasing in Heaven! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant weekend!!!