Reflection for July 18 Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:14-21

Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 

Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

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Reflection:

Are we peace-loving people? Or are we lovers of conflict and chaos?

If we truly follow Jesus, we are called to be peace-loving, for He Himself is the Prince of Peace. Throughout His earthly life, Jesus chose the path of peace over violence.

He abhorred every form of violence because He knew that no one truly wins through it. Violence may appear to bring victory for a moment, but it ultimately leaves wounds, broken relationships, and hardened hearts.

When the Pharisees were looking for Jesus to arrest Him and put Him to death, He peacefully withdrew from their sight. It was not because He was afraid of them, but because He was a man of peace and because it was not yet the appointed time for Him to face His suffering. Jesus never allowed anger, hatred, or the desire for revenge to dictate His actions. Instead, He entrusted Himself completely to the Father's will and waited patiently for God's perfect timing.

Withdrawing from conflict is not always a sign of cowardice; often, it is a sign of wisdom, humility, and courage. Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is to walk away from an argument or a confrontation because we know that we have a higher calling than proving ourselves right or satisfying our pride. As followers of Christ, we are called not merely to avoid conflict but to become instruments of God's peace wherever we are.

What happens when we respond to violence with violence or anger with anger? We all become losers because no one truly wins through hatred or revenge. As Mahatma Gandhi wisely said, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." 

When we repay evil with evil, we only allow darkness to spread. But when we answer hostility with patience, forgiveness, and love, we allow the light of Christ to shine through us.

Whenever we encounter people who provoke us to anger, let us choose the higher road instead of stooping to their level. Rather than responding with harsh words, let us answer with gentleness.

Rather than seeking revenge, let us extend mercy. Rather than insisting on having the last word, let us humbly walk away when peace is better served by silence. In doing so, we not only spare ourselves from unnecessary trouble but also become living witnesses to the peace that Christ has planted within our hearts.

May we always remember that true strength is not found in overpowering others but in allowing the love of Christ to overcome our anger, pride, and desire to retaliate. 

Every day, God gives us opportunities to choose peace over conflict, forgiveness over revenge, and love over hatred. These choices may not always be easy, but they are the marks of those who truly belong to Christ.

Today, let us ask ourselves: When we are misunderstood, insulted, or provoked, will others see our wounded pride—or will they encounter the peace of Christ living within us? Will we choose to win an argument, or will we choose to win hearts for God by becoming instruments of His peace?— Marino J. Dasmarinas