The leaders in ancient Israel forgot the source of their blessings, the Giver of their own gifts, and so they have inflicted injustice on the poor because they can: “They covet fields, and seize them; houses, and they take them” (Mic. 2:2).
Today’s reading reminds me of King Ahab. He coveted the vineyard of Naboth and, when Naboth would not sell his family heritage, Ahab stood by as his wicked wife Jezebel had Naboth falsely accused and executed, clearing the way for Ahab’s acquisition (1 Kings 21:1–16).
The prophet Micah proclaims to the Israelites that just as they have gravely wronged their own kinsmen, so too their enemies will do to them.
Years before, the Lord had divided the promised land among the twelve tribes of Israel (Jos. 13—21). But one day, Micah proclaims, there will not be anyone to “mark out boundaries by lot in the assembly of the LORD” (Mic. 2:5). For these and other sins, including idolatry, the northern kingdom of Israel would fall in 722 B.C. and the southern kingdom of Judah in 587 B.C.
Care for the Poor
The Responsorial Psalm is a cry for God not to overlook the poor in their grave mistreatment.
God answers that call in various ways, most importantly in sending his Son Jesus to liberate us from sin, death, and the devil (John 3:16–17). As St. Matthew tells us in today’s Gospel, Jesus fulfills the words of the prophet Isaiah: “A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory” (Isa. 42:3; Matt. 12:20).
In contrast to the unjust leaders, Jesus does not crush or destroy the downtrodden. He lifts them up, reminding them of their God-given dignity (Gen. 1:26–27). The poor need to experience Jesus in a three-dimensional way to reinforce his life-giving words through the loving witness of his disciples. That is the lesson and challenge for us: to defend the poor and others in need; to use the gifts and other blessings Jesus has given us to serve others less fortunate than we.
In doing so we will be reminded of the words of Jesus recorded in the Acts of the Apostles: “‘It is more blessed to give than to receive'” (Acts. 12:35). And yet, in the process, we will receive back, growing in the surpassing peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the peace which the world cannot give (John 14:27).
[Readings: Micah 2:1-5; Matthew 12:14-21]
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