THE BLESSING OF THE OPPOSITE REACTION!

Saturday, July 16, 2011 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Optional Memorial) 

by Lorenz S. Centino, Jr.

Matthew 12: 14 - 21

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14  But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him. 

15  Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all, 

16  and ordered them not to make him known. 

17  This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 

18  "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 shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 

19  He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will any one hear his voice in the streets; 

20  he will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, till he brings justice to victory; 

21  and in his name will the Gentiles hope." 

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:

A BLESSED SATURDAY TO ALL!

It is being said always that every action has its corresponding reaction. In physics, as in the Newton’s Third Law of Motion, it is said that forces always take place in pairs, and so we have the principle that says every action has always a reaction of equal magnitude to its opposite direction. This principle is not brought up here, however, as to explain this law of motion nor clarify its varying misinterpretations but to lead us to see how Jesus REACTED in the OPPOSITE direction to the action made by the Pharisees. To the physicist, this could either be a distorted or correct application of the law of motion mentioned. Whatever it would be, certainly it will be a reaction to my action. Therefore, I just want to bring out the issue about REACTION.

The senate hearing on the so-called “Pajero-Bishops” has lead to many reactions from the people, as could be seen on what we can read in the newspapers. There are those who took a condemning stand against the bishops. Others have expressed some kind of appreciation and commendation of the humility the bishops have shown in accepting some “mistakes” or “lapse in judgment” in their dealing with the PSCO. The best reaction the Church hierarchy to the controversy is best expressed in the CBCP’s Pastoral Statement “A Time of Pain, A Time of Grace” which says in part, “We shall examine our values in the light of our vocation to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We commit ourselves to the long journey of personal and social transformation required of all disciples of the Lord. We plead with you to walk with us in this path of constant renewal.” Indeed, such reaction somehow reflects the One who the Bishops intend to follow—Jesus. They reacted in HUMILITY and CHARITY, rather than in VENDICTIVENESS and DEFENSE against those who drag them into the controversy that somehow clouded their moral ascendancy as leaders of the Church.

In the Gospel today we see Jesus confronting with those who accused him of many allegations of doing something against their Law and Tradition. Most of his accusers are very vindictive against him. In fact, before any proper investigation done in the most appropriate forum such as the court, the Sanhedrin, they already plotted something evil against him. They conspired to find a way how to destroy or kill him. Jesus, however, was very much aware of the evil intention they have in their hearts. But, instead of doing something against them, Jesus reacted in a very humble and charitable way. Instead of confronting them face to face, and command fire from heaven to strike and destroy all his adversaries, Jesus rather confronts those who suffer and heals them. Jesus reacted to his antagonists and foes by showing LOVE and MERCY.

Jesus REACTS to OPPOSITION with MISSION—GOOD ACTIONS! And so Matthew fittingly quoted the prophecy on the SUFFERING SERVANT as to describe how Jesus would carryout his messianic mission in the midst of oppositions and hostilities. This kind of opposite reaction is seen in the many exhortations of Jesus as to how his followers should behave in situations where they will be persecuted or confronted with hostility in carrying out their mission. For example, Jesus has said: “When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well… love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you… (Matthew 5).” Also he said, “do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28). St. Peter expressed this kind of opposite reaction well when he said, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1Peter 3:9). Christians are called to sow BLESSINGS to everyone.