The gentle beloved servant
Matthew 12:14-21 | 19 July - Saturday of week 15 in Ordinary Time - Year C (I)
From the Gospel according to Matthew
At that time: The Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘Behold, 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 quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
This passage follows Jesus' healing on the Sabbath, which provoked the Pharisees to plot his destruction. Rather than confronting their hostility head-on, Jesus strategically withdraws while continuing his ministry of healing. Matthew presents this as the fulfilment of Isaiah 42:1-4, identifying Jesus as the Suffering Servant who brings justice through gentleness rather than force.
"Withdrew" - Strategic wisdom, not weakness
"Bruised reed" - Those who are fragile and vulnerable
"Smouldering wick" - Barely flickering faith or hope
"Justice to victory" - God's ultimate triumph through mercy
True strength lies not in retaliation but in gentle persistence. When faced with opposition, Jesus chooses compassion over confrontation, healing over hostility. He nurtures the broken rather than crushing His enemies. God's kingdom advances through tender care for the vulnerable, not through force or loud proclamation.
I remember a time when I felt frustrated by indifference, lack of dialogue and criticism at work. My instinct was to defend myself aggressively, but reflecting on this passage helped me choose a different path. Finding peace in Jesus while meditating in the Adoration chapel, I withdrew from the immediate conflict and focused on serving others quietly. This gentle approach led to fruitful collaboration even if my critics remain unchanged.
We live in a culture that equates strength with loudness, power with domination. Yet Jesus shows us that lasting change comes through patient love. When we feel like "bruised reeds" or "smouldering wicks," we can trust that Christ will not break us but will gently restore us to wholeness.
Act: When facing criticism or conflict today, pause and ask: "How can I respond with Jesus' gentleness rather than react with defensiveness?"
Reflection: Where am I trying to force outcomes instead of trusting God's gentle way? How can I nurture the "smouldering wick" of faith in someone today?
Let us pray: Lord, make me gentle like You.
From the sayings of Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia:
Mary is a mother! Therefore, when she denies something, it is because she is a mother.