Exodus 12:37-42 / Matthew 12:14-21
When it comes to talking about power and authority, we cannot deny that power and authority is mighty.
It can acquire status and wealth and even mobilize armies to go to war.
But besides the high and mighty, there are also ordinary people who fall into the temptation of resorting to power and might to get things going their way and also to get people to accept their ways.
They will either brawl and shout to get their ideas and their ways across.
That was the way of the Pharisees which we heard about in the gospel. They used their authority and influence to plot against Jesus and how to destroy him.
It is a typical case of power and authority being abused and misused.
What about Jesus? As quoted from the prophet Isaiah: "He will not break the crushed reed, nor put out the smouldering wick until He has led the truth to victory".
Indeed the way of Jesus is gentleness and compassion.
Let us remember that whatever power and authority we might have over others must be exercised with gentleness and compassion.
With power and authority comes the obligation to serve with love and truth.
May our lives be rooted in love and truth so that the crushed may be healed and the faltering may be strengthened.