14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A, Year II)
Community Word: Those who come to Jesus find rest in Him.
Theme: We find rest in Jesus when we are meek and humble of hearts.
Promise: “The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” (Ps 145:14)
Reflection
The 1st reading (Zec. 9:10) gives us a glimpse of how it will be when we are restored to the reign of the Messiah. He shall proclaim peace to all; His dominion will be sweeping, covering the ends of the earth. Strongholds will be demolished, and there will be no more wars, or violence within and among ourselves.
However, there is a precondition which we find in the 2nd reading (Rom. 8:13), “for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Likewise, the Gospel, and our theme for the week admonishes us to be meek and humble, and to surrender everything to the Lord. As an example, Jesus cites the character of a child as being truly pleasing to God. The gospel explicitly tells us so. God reveals himself, not to sophisticated adults who think they know everything, but to innocent children who are open and eager to learn what God has to teach them. Because we labor so hard, we tend to forget the Giver and Source of life. Consequently, we find ourselves caught up in, and impressed, by our own successes. Hence our tendency is to glorify ourselves, undermining our gratitude and acknowledgement of the Father’s role in meeting and providing for all our needs. Ultimately, we displease him because of our pride, disobedience, arrogance, and lack of trust in His divine will.
Jesus invites us in this gospel, to come to him and rest in the knowledge that He is present, ever ready to help us in our daily struggles and challenges. He urges us not to carry our burdens alone. But to come to him, that he may help lighten our load, and find rest in His love. It pleases Him to have us come to Him and rely on Him for all our needs. As a child is dependent on his parents for everything, so is our Father in Heaven delighted to supply all our needs, and He is honored to bless us with a life worthy of our calling, as our promise for the week declares: “The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” (Ps 145:14)
Prayer:
Father, thank you for revealing to us Your Son who is a reflection of Your being. Thank you for the assurance that you are always with us, in us and for us, and for Your relentless invitation for us to come to you with all our burdens, prayers and supplications, as well as thanksgiving for answered prayers, as we claim victory and find rest in You.
Reflection Questions:
1.Have I surrendered my thoughts, my heart to Jesus?
2.In my work, in my studies, in my relationship with my family and community, do I seek His counsel first, or rush to do things my own way?
3.How am I to grow in my faith?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
July 6, 2014 (Sun) Zec 9:9-10/Ps 145:1-2,8-9,10-11,13-14/Rom 8:9,11-13/Mt 11:25-30
July 7, 2014 (Mon) Hos 2:16,17-18,21-22/Ps 145:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9/Mt 9:18-26
July 8, 2014 (Tues) Hos 8:47-7,11-13/Ps 115:3-4,5-6,7-8,9-10/Mt 9:32-38
July 9, 2014 (Wed) Hos 10:1-3,7-8,12/Ps 105:2-3,4-5,6-7/Mt 10:1-7
July 10, 2014 (Thur) Hos 11:1-4,8-9/Ps 80:2,3,15-16/Mt 10:7-15
July 11, 2014 (Fri) Hos 14:2-10/Ps 51:3-4,8-9,12-13,14,17/Mt 10:16-23
July 12, 2014 (Sat) Is 6:1-8/Ps 93:1,1-2,5/Mt 10:24-33
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
