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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