Vindication Of The Just Man

First reading
Numbers 12:1-13

Miriam, and Aaron too, spoke against Moses in connection with the Cushite woman he had taken. (For he had married a Cushite woman.) They said, ‘Has the Lord spoken to Moses only? Has he not spoken to us too?’

 

The Lord heard this. Now Moses was the most humble of men, the humblest man on earth. Suddenly, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron and Miriam, ‘Come, all three of you, to the Tent of Meeting.’ They went, all three of them, and the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tent. He called Aaron and Miriam and they both came forward. The Lord said, ‘Listen now to my words: If any man among you is a prophet I make myself known to him in a vision, I speak to him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses: he is at home in my house; I speak with him face to face, plainly and not in riddles, and he sees the form of the Lord. How then have you dared to speak against my servant Moses?’ The anger of the Lord blazed out against them. He departed, and as soon as the cloud withdrew from the Tent, there was Miriam a leper, white as snow! Aaron turned to look at her; she had become a leper.

Aaron said to Moses: ‘Help me, my lord! Do not punish us for a sin committed in folly of which we are guilty. I entreat you, do not let her be like a monster, coming from its mother’s womb with flesh half corrupted.’ Moses cried to the Lord, ‘O God,’ he said ‘please heal her, I beg you!’ The word of the Lord!
 
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 50(51):3-7,12-13
 
Gospel
Matthew 14:22-36

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’

Having made the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the local people recognised him they spread the news through the whole neighbourhood and took all that were sick to him, begging him just to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched it were completely cured. The gospel of the Lord!
Reflection
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous man, but the Lord delivers him from them all” Psalm 34;19. Moses receives lashing and condemnation from the Israelites, even his elder Brother Aaron and Sister Miriam, do not spare him. How do we behave when we have been accorded little privileges? Moses is described as an epitome of humility! His relationship with God and constant presence before God didn’t make him proud. Like Miriam and Aaron, do you feel that your little knowledge about God gives you a right to judge or condemn others; even the servants of God – working tirelessly in God’s vineyard? Please, God vindicates the just man, and punishes his accusers. Be careful! 

To be just you need to exercise much faith like Moses did. Remember, the just shall live by faith – Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:33. The disciples experience Jesus in a totally different way. What would you have done if you were in that boat? Well, Jesus tells us today to have faith and we can equally walk on water when he invites us to. That is exactly what the local people did in the gospel; with faith they sought to touch the fringe of Jesus cloak and were completely cured. Have faith, be just and enjoys God’s vindication from evil men and from the accuser of the brethren.
Prayer
Thank you father for today and all that today brings: your peace, prosperity and perfection. You are the strong tower I run to, defend me; from the thousand that surround me, protect me; and put your hedge all around me and forgive my numerous sins. May I continue to grow in faith and love for you, in Jesus name I pray, Amen!

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