SUNDAY READINGS REFLECTIONS
from our Carmelite Friars
Image by Cheryl Holt from Pixabay
GENTLE AND HUMBLE HEART
14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Reading 1: Zechariah 9:9-10
The gentle and humble heart is the one who has authority and yet comes in gentleness, riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass. Despite His kingship, there is no need for any grand entrance… He comes unassumingly, no pretense, only gentleness.
“See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass.”
His authority is not employed to threatened the weak but as their strength.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14
When are we truly grateful? When do we really break into songs of praise? It is when we realize that there is someone who lifts us up when we fall, when we are bowed down… We are not abandoned. And God do not just stay… He lifts us up.
“The LORD is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works. The LORD lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.”
Reading 2: Romans 8:9, 11-13
To belong to someone does not only mean recognizing that person… but allowing that person to stay with you… be your strength in moments that you are weak.
“Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 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.”
Gospel: Matthew 11: 25-30
What kind of heart does God have? Not threatening… Not forceful… Not agitating… rather giving rest.
What does it mean to find rest in God? It is neither non-action, idleness nor laziness… but finding that One who only understands you; but finding the one who truly loves you.
Rest is the fullness of movement. When everything is done and fulfilled, rest follows. Such completion only happens in God.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you 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.”