A homily on Matthew 14:13–21: He Withdrew from There: A Wounded Heart That Still Gives(4-8-25)

A touching homily on Matthew 14:13–21, showing how Jesus’ grief leads Him into prayer, and how His broken heart becomes a source of healing, just like the sandalwood tree, (4-8-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

In the India forest, there is a special tree called sandalwood. We know it, not only because it is valuable, but because of something hidden in its nature. When this tree is cut or wounded, it doesn’t release bitterness. Instead, it gives out fragrance; the deeper the wound, the sweeter the smell. And the beauty of this tree is that it does not keep its goodness to itself. The trees growing near it, and even the air around it, carry its scent. It suffers quietly, but it gives beautifully.

In today’s Gospel, we meet Jesus at a moment of deep sorrow. He had just heard that John the Baptist was dead, not only dead, but murdered. And not just murdered, but killed without justice in a drunken palace over a foolish promise. This was not just any man, but John the Baptist who was His cousin, His forerunner, the voice crying out in the wilderness. He was the one who had pointed to Jesus and prepared the way for Him. The news would have shaken His human heart. And then the Gospel tells us, with great gentleness, “He withdrew from there.”

Jesus withdrew, not because He was afraid or discouraged, but because His heart was full of sorrow. He needed to bring that grief into the quiet presence of the Father. His retreat into silence was not a sign of weakness. It was a moment of love, of prayer, of resting His pain in the arms of God. That movement of Jesus is something deeply human, yet also divine. It shows us that grief, when taken to God, becomes holy and healing.

Many of us have moments like this. We hear painful news. Someone we love is taken away. The home becomes filled with stress or silence. The seminary or convent, once full of joy, starts to feel dry or lonely, and when those moments come, our first reaction is often to get angry. We may want to stop what we are doing, or turn cold, or shut our hearts completely. Some fall into sadness that feels too heavy to speak about. But what do we really need to do?

Jesus shows us. He withdrew from there. He stepped away, not to escape life, but to be with His Father. He teaches us that sometimes, when our hearts are too full to speak, we must go into the quiet, and place our pain in God’s hands.

In the Old Testament, we find a beautiful example in the Book of Tobit. There we meet a young woman named Sara, the daughter of Raguel. She had been married seven times, but each of her husbands died on the wedding night, killed by a demon named Asmodeus. People began to whisper about her and blame her. She was filled with shame and sorrow. She even thought of ending her life. But instead of falling into despair, she withdrew into prayer. She poured out her heart to God, honestly and humbly. And God heard her cry. He sent the angel Raphael to heal her and change her story (Tobit 3:7–17).

Now let us come back to the Gospel. Even though Jesus had gone to a lonely place to be by Himself, the people followed Him. They came carrying their pain and their burdens. Mothers brought sick children. Fathers came walking silently, tired and worried. People came with their hunger, their fears, their questions. And Jesus, even in His own sorrow, looked at them with love. He did not turn them away. He did not say, “Come back later.” He did not hide His heart. He opened it. The Gospel says, “He had compassion on them.”

That is the hidden miracle behind the miracle. Before the loaves were multiplied, His heart was broken open. From sorrow came service. From silence came healing. From pain came love. Like the sandalwood tree, Jesus allowed His wounds to release goodness. His grief did not make Him hard. It made Him gentle.

Today, many of us carry quiet wounds. Some of us are tired. Some feel forgotten. Some are grieving silently. Some are simply holding on, without much joy. Dear friends, if your heart is heavy, take time to withdraw. Find that quiet place where you can be with the Father. Let your prayer hold your pain. And when you return, come back with compassion, just like Jesus, just like Sara, and just like the sandalwood tree.

Jesus withdrew from there, not to stay away, but to return with love and healing for others.

Lord, when I don’t understand anything, let me withdraw into You, Amen.

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