First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10
Reflection:
This prophecy from the book of Zechariah speaks of the coming Messiah, who we know to be Jesus. The LORD speaks here to the people of Israel (referred to as “daughter Zion”), commanding them to “rejoice” because of what He has in store for their future, when the Messiah comes. The Messiah is referred to here as “king” and “savior.” He is also described as “meek” and the one who will “proclaim peace to the nations.” All of these are fulfilled in Jesus. He is the King of Kings, who came to establish His eternal kingdom, the Church. His “dominion” is over all of creation, for Jesus is God, the Creator. He is also our Savior, who came to take away the sins of the world. In this Sunday’s gospel reading, we will see Jesus describe Himself as “meek” and offer His followers “rest,” which is equivalent to the peace promised here. Thus, Jesus is the one promised here in Zechariah. We do not have to wait any longer, for Jesus has come and He is present in His Church. Thus, let us also heed the commandment given here to “rejoice!”
Second Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13
Reflection:
Here the Apostle Paul contrasts the flesh and the spirit. By flesh, he does not mean our bodies. Rather, the “flesh” refers to our sinful nature. Paul opposes the flesh to the Spirit because sin is contrary to God’s law. Before baptism, we were slaves to sin (i.e. “debtors to the flesh”) and, as a result, we were spiritually dead, for “the wages of sin is death,” as Paul says earlier in Romans (6:23). But as baptized Christians, we have the Spirit of God dwelling within us. The Spirit brings life. In fact, the Spirit who dwells in us also raised Jesus from the dead. By that same power, the same Spirit can raise us out of our spiritual death caused by sin and bring us to new life in Christ. As a result, we need not be “debtors to the flesh” any longer. We can be free from our bondage to sin and live a new life in the Spirit, allowing God to transform our lives and lead us to life everlasting.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:25-30
Reflection:
In this prayer of thanksgiving, we see the intimacy of the relationship between the Father and the Son. God is a perfect Father, pouring himself out to the Son; and the Son, in return, pours himself out fully to the Father. In fact, the Father and the Son (along with the Holy Spirit) are one. To know Jesus, the Son, is to know the Father. Jesus came to reveal this intimate filial relationship within the Godhead. In fact, He came to invite us to participate in it. This invitation may be accepted through faith. By faith, we can come to know God and find rest in Him. But faith requires humility. God reveals Himself to “the little ones,” not “the wise and the learned.” In other words, those who think they have it all together and know it all, are not open to seeing the truth about God with the eyes of faith. But those who make themselves “little,” can humbly receive Him like a child. Jesus offers “rest” to those “who labor and are burdened.” His rest is not merely a temporary reprieve but true and lasting peace. He then calls us to imitate His humility. As His disciples, we are to take up His “yoke.” In Jesus’ day, a yoke was used to connect two animals for pulling a plow, wagon, etc. To take up His yoke, then, means for us to be connected to Jesus and walk instep with Him. We are to learn from Him and work beside Him. To do so, we must welcome Him with humility.
Application:
- “The Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you” by virtue of your baptism. The Spirit wants to raise you to new spiritual life, freeing you from sin, and leading you to life everlasting. There is no doubt that He has the power to transform you, but will you let Him?
- Do you ever feel “burdened”? Jesus invites us to come to Him and find rest for our weary souls. He offers us true and lasting peace, which is much more than the fleeting, circumstantial peace of the world. Will you come to Him, take His “yoke” upon you, and learn from Him?
