DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Monday, September 3, 2018

When Jesus became aware of this, He departed. Many crowds followed him, and He cured all of them, and He ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 
“Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.  I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick until he brings justice to victory.  And in his name the Gentiles will hope.” – Matthew 12:5-21

So many ways to describe Christ and Christ’s Way.  The writer of Matthew’s Gospel chooses to quote a description found in the writings of the prophet Isaiah.  There “He” is described as a servant, a proclaimer of justice not only to the people of Israel but to those other than Jewish.  There “He” is described as a quiet voice, a gentle soul who somehow brings about justice to both Jews and Gentiles.  He will be a Jewish man who will bring hope to the Gentiles.

The historical Isaiah spoke during the Assyrian control of the Jewish nation; the historical Jesus spoke during the Roman control of the Jewish nation.  In certain ways, Jesus was much akin to Isaiah, and we often view Christ in the images that Isaiah brought forth.

I find I am much in the spirit of Isaiah’s  and Matthew’s description of Christ … a servant, a proclaimer of justice, a quiet, steady voice, a gentle soul in his manner of peaceful overcoming, a bringer of nations together, even if those nations were neighbors much like today’s Israel and Palestine.

My Loved Ones, it is easier for a preacher to galvanize a following by providing them an enemy to hate.  It is far, far more challenging for a preacher to persuade a people to become peacemakers.  But I believe … and I will stand before the Lord believing … that we as Christians are called not to trigger an Armageddon but rather we are called to be about the family business of peacemaking.  Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall called the children of God.

Always in Christ Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz