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.

How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the LORD. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 12:1-8, today’s readings).

“I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.”

The Pharisees criticize the disciples for picking the heads of grain on the sabbath and then eating them. Jesus tells the Pharisees about the time when David and his companions ate the consecrated bread to show that human need can take precedence over Mosaic law. With his authority and the new covenant he brings as the Lord of the sabbath, Jesus makes clear to the Pharisees that he is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. The mercy of God is something greater than the temple.

God, help me learn what Jesus desired that the Pharisees should know in his call for mercy over sacrifice. You know my every need and would not withhold from me what you freely give. The psalmist sings, “I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds.” Your gift of freedom is an innate gift; through obedience to your will, Jesus shows the way to experience it in its fullness. Father in heaven, guide me in the way of your Son.

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.

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:28-30, today's readings).

Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Jesus invites everyone who labors and is burdened to come to him. The labor and the burden of each of us is unique and known only to the Lord. Yet, to each person, Jesus invites us to take his yoke upon us and learn from him. In his meekness and humility, he adds no weight of sin and suffering but instead relieves us of it. What might it mean that a yoke is easy? As an actual yoke that pairs two animals, a yoke that is easy conforms to the shape of the neck and shoulders and allows freedom of movement while carrying the burden. The yoke that Jesus invites us to take upon us does the same: it is shaped uniquely to each person so that we choose freely to walk with Christ as we labor to become more like him.

God, help me understand that to labor and be burdened is a reality of this life and that, realistically, there is no escape from it. When I face the difficulties of the day and the certainty of its burdens, help me remember the first words of Jesus in today's Gospel as a way to take to heart what follows: "Come to me." Twice, Jesus makes clear what his purpose is in inviting me to come to him. He says, "I will give you rest." Stay with me, Lord. Give me the grace to find rest for myself as you make your presence known.

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.