14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A, Year II)

Community Word: Jesus invites us to find rest in Him.

Theme: We find rest in Jesus when we are meek and humble of heart.

Promise: “The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” (Ps 145:14)

Reflection:
We live in a world of restlessness and uncertainty. We are people who struggle with unrest, burdened by difficulties of life, sickness, marriage and family problems. We are overwhelmed by fear, anxiety and despair especially in this time of pandemic where everything seems to be uncertain. We have moments when we feel restless and burdened. We are loaded with problems and we are bending beneath their weight. These are all physical burdens, yet the greatest daily burden that we experience is that of our own sinfulness.

Whatever the case may be, Jesus wants us to hear and believe in these words: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light,” (Mt 11:28-30). This invitation from Jesus is beautiful and so re-assuring, more so during this time of the world health crisis. It means to approach Jesus and give Him all our burdens and everything that bothers us, without hesitation and fear. For He is the only answer to our questions, doubts and distresses… to hope and to rest.

But how can we draw near to Jesus, and what virtues should we possess, if we want to rest in Him? Our theme for this will tells us – We find rest in Jesus when we are meek and humble of heart. Christ says, “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart,” (Mt 11:29a). We are greatly in need of meekness of heart for without it, we will easily succumb to fear. The meekness of Jesus teaches us how to be serene in the midst of adversity, to be patient and have a hopeful endurance of not giving up; to trust Him and experience inner peace.

Sometimes, we have the tendency to judge persons and things from a biased point of view or from our personal definition of success. We crush those who oppose us if they hurt our ego. Many times, we give in to anger, forgetting that it can destroy many things, including ones relationship with a brother. This is opposite to meekness. Meekness unites, but anger separates and destroys unity. Meekness can conquer many things. It is capable of winning the heart and saving friendship.

We choose meekness because Jesus is meek, and we are His followers. We become meek through the Holy Spirit, for meekness is fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). The Lord reveals Himself to the meek (cf Mt 11:25) and give them rest (Mt 11:29).

Jesus also invites us to have a humble heart like Him. For He knows that our pride is the root of our sins and the source of all our burden. Pride is the strong influence that propels us to rebel against God and commit wrongdoing to others. We cannot experience spiritual rest and peace if we live in the darkness of sin. Therefore, we need to empty ourselves and remove the burden of guilt and oppression of a sinful way of life. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord and ask His forgiveness. Only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and the weight of hopelessness, give us love and rest that we have been longing for. Our assurance comes from Psalms – “The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down,” (Ps 145:14).

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, teach us to be meek and have a humble heart like You. Grant us the grace to maintain our serenity and peace in the midst of this pandemic, trusting that You are with us, keeping us safe and protected. Help us to always realize that we are nothing and we cannot do anything without You. Only in You, Lord Jesus, where we will truly find rest.
Reflection Guide Questions:
1. How can I develop the attitude of being meek and humble of heart like Jesus? What steps should I take to correct if I have the tendency to be judgmental or self-centered?
2. During this time of uncertainty, how can I put myself at rest in Jesus? Do I strengthen my relationship with the Lord thru persevering prayer and reflection on His word?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
July 5, 2020 (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 6, 2020 (Mon) – Hos 2:16. 17-18, 21-22/ Ps 145:2-9/ Mt 9:18-26
July 7, 2020 (Tues) – Hos 8:4-7, 11-13/ Ps 115:3-10/ Mt 9:32-38
July 8, 2020 (Wed) – Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12/ Ps 105:2-7/ Mt 10:1-7
July 9, 2020 (Thurs) – Hos 11:1-4, 8-9/ Ps 80: 2, 3, 15-16/ Mk 10: 7-15
July 10, 2020 (Fri) – Hos 14:2-10/ Ps 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17/ Mt 10:16-23
July 11, 2020 (Sat) – Is 6:1-8/ Ps93: 1, 2, 5/ Mt 10:24-33

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”