Saturday 5 July 2014

14th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME–A

I Reading: Zachariah 9:9-10: See now, your king comes humbly to you: 
The prophet sees the Messianic King entering Jerusalem on an animal of peace and in humility. War will be no more; universal peace will be established. The reading brings back thoughts of Passion (Palm) Sunday. The prophet Zachariah gives to the Jews a true picture of what the Messiah would be like.
II Reading: Romans 8:9.11-13: If by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body, you live:
Baptism with Christ creates a new life for the believers, a life directed by the indwelling Spirit, a word used nearly thirty times in this chapter alone. The word “Body” is not an easy word to define in Pauline usage. Here it means our lower self prone to sin. Man came to know the goodness of God through Jesus Christ.
Gospel: Matthew 11: 25-30: I am gentle and humble in heart:
Our Lord gives a self revelation that indicates a oneness with the Father. Then like Isaiah with his call to come to the waters and drink, our Lord issues a gracious invitation that has been accepted through the centuries by those who have sought relief from the burdens of life. The yoke to which our Lord refers is primarily the burden of the Pharisaic law. His yoke fits lightly and does not chafe. It is a personal appeal by Jesus Christ to all.

The Blindness of This Generation:
The generation was blind to three things:
1.     The people were blind to God’s truth:
a.     The wise are blind: self- sufficient
b.    The little children are not blind: teachable
2.     The people are blind to God’s will and purpose:
3.     The people were blind to the Messiah. Note: a man is blind to four facts about the Messiah:
a.     He is of God, His very own Son
b.    He has been given all things
c.      He is the Mediator
d.    He alone reveals God

The Great Invitation: Given to this Generation, Mt 11:28-30

Jesus paints two pictures in this passage. One picture is of extreme weariness. The other picture is of extreme pressure. This is the person who is about to explode; he cannot take anymore. Jesus did not say what caused the weariness or pressure (heavy burdens).
It does not matter, for his invitation is open to all. It is a simple invitation, requiring so little and offering so much.
1.     Come to Me (v.28)
a.     Who: The weary
b.    Why: He will give rest
c.      Condition: Must come to Jesus
2.     Take my yoke-learn of Me (v.29-30)
a.     Why:
1)    He is gentle and humble
2)    We will find rest
3)    His yoke is easy, his burden is light
b.    Condition: Must come to Jesus Christ
Thought: Some of the things that exhaust us are
·        Too much work
·        Worldliness and carnality (fleshy pleasure)
·        Sin and guilt
·        Unsatisfying spirit in money and material possession
·        Name and fame of emptiness in life
·        Power and lowliness of it
·        The rituals and traditions of religion
·        Rules and regulations
·        Not knowing the truth of life is one the major causes of exhaustion
Thought: Every person has his/her yoke that is his/her life to live and his/her task to do while on earth. Jesus is gentle and humble. He cares, looks after us. How far we can go to Jesus’ invitation (Come to ME) and how capable we are.
Thought: Spiritual truth is “hidden” where? In God. The only key to spiritual truth is faith and trust in God. What Christ condemns is not intelligence and wisdom but intellectual pride and self-sufficiency.
Gospel: Matthew 11: 28-30: I am gentle and humble in heart.

The Great Invitation: Given to This Generation, Mt 11:28-30
Christ paints two pictures in this passage. One picture is of extreme weariness. The other picture is of extreme pressure. Jesus does not say what caused the weariness or pressure (heavy burdens). It does not matter, for his invitation is open to all. It is a simple invitation, requiring so little and offering so much.
3.     Come to Me (v.28)
d.    Who: The weary
e.      Why: He will give rest
f.      Condition: Must come to Jesus
4.     Take my yoke-learn of Me (v.29-30)
c.      Why:
4)    He is gentle and humble
5)    We will find rest
6)    His yoke is easy, his burden is light
d.    Condition: Must come to Jesus Christ
Thought: Some of the things that exhaust us are
·        Too much work
·        Worldliness and carnality (fleshy pleasure)
·        Sin and guilt
·        Unsatisfying spirit in money and material possession
·        Name and fame of emptiness in life
·        Power and lowliness of it
·        The rituals and traditions of religion
·        Rules and regulations
·        Not knowing the truth of life is one the major causes of exhaustion
Thought: Every person has his/her yoke that is his/her life to live and his/her task to do while on earth. Jesus is gentle and humble. He cares, looks after us. How far we can go to Jesus’ invitation (Come to ME) and how capable we are.
Thought: The purpose of our life is to know Jesus and the Father who sent him: only those who strive to know them will have life eternal (Jn 17:3). Pride, greed, sin in all its forms, prevent us from knowing God; we must strive at all times to get rid of sin.
Jesus is a gentle and humble person so let us learn from him and try to resemble him in these two qualities (Ps 144:8-9)

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