Readings:
Micah 2:1 – 5
Matthew 12: 14 – 21
Reflection:
The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor
In our world today, we see how the poor suffer continually from the evil plans of the rich and powerful. Whether we see the many men, women and children slaughtered almost daily in Gaza, in the West Bank, in Sudan in the fighting between the Army and the paramilitary Force where many innocent people have been forced to flee or are killed, or in the ongoing War in Ukraine where many people on both sides are killed or injured, or in the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, we ask the Lord:
“How long, O Lord, how long will the poor suffer and suffer grievously at the hands of the powerful and evildoers?”
In the first reading from the prophet Micah, God assures his people that those who plot evil on the innocent will themselves incur judgement and punishment for their evil deeds.
In the Psalm, Ps. 9B, we give our Response:
“Do not forget the poor, Lord!”
In the last stanza, we say with confidence to God:
“You have seen the trouble and sorrow, you note it and take it in hand.
The helpless trusts himself to you,
for you are the helper of the orphan.”
In the Gospel passage from Matthew, the Pharisees begin to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him. Jesus is the Poor one, the Suffering Servant who puts on the condition of the innocent poor, “the anawhim”.
He does not retaliate or raise an army to defend himself. He takes on the lifestyle of the Suffering Servant portrayed in the prophet Isaiah (cf Is. 42:1 – 4).
So the first answer to our question is that God has sent his very Son to take the condition of a slave (or servant) and was humbler yet – being obedient until death –death on a Cross.
But God hears the cry of the poor, the innocent and the suffering. Our prayers too can be powerful calling for justice for those who suffer today. Does not Mary, whom we honour especially today, not grieve for her children ? We join our prayers and our heartache with hers.
Jesus is the one who: –
“He will not break the crushed reed,
nor put out the smouldering wick
till he has led the truth to victory;
in his name the nations will put their hope.”
We must put our confidence in God and in Jesus his Son. In the meantime, we are called to practice gentleness, patience, and a healing love to one another.
“In his name the nations will put their hope!”
Pat McIndoe CP, a Passionist at St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Boroko, Port Moresby