Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever; Who remembered us in our abjection, for his mercy endures forever; And freed us from our foes, for his mercy endures forever. His mercy endures forever.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 12:14-21, today's readings).

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.

In today's Gospel, Jesus withdraws from the Pharisees who seek to kill him. In the first reading from Exodus, we hear how the Israelites flee from Egypt and slavery under Pharaoh to the desert. Under the scrutiny of the Pharisees, Jesus answers their questions about what is lawful to do on the sabbath. The disciples pick the heads of grain on the sabbath, and Jesus cures a man with a withered hand on the sabbath. So Jesus flees from them because they seek to kill him, and it is not yet his time. In flight from them, Jesus continues to do what he has been doing in his earthly mission: teaching, healing, fulfilling all of the Old Testament prophecies, and establishing his Church.

God, help me consider the works Jesus did on earth to prepare all who hear and follow him for eternal life. I read in the Gospel acclamation: "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." Just as Jesus understood and accomplished your will, strengthen me to do the same. As Jesus responded to the Pharisees by withdrawing from them, I have by this the example that doing your will sometimes means retreating from hostility to continue to serve you elsewhere. Give me, Lord, a heart able to discern your will, aware that at all times through Christ you entrust to me your message of reconciliation. Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.