Homily for 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (Your Rest Downloader)

COMMENTARIES FROM THE HEART (By Fr. Anthony Agnes)

14^th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (09.07.2023)

First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14

Second Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

Theme: “Your Rest Downloader”

Our First Reading presents us with the image of a king who comes to his own riding on a donkey, simple and unnoticed, bringing with him peace for the nations. This image of humility and of peace is in contrast with that of the kings at the time of the prophet Zechariah and we can add, the “kings” in our own days, who seek to be seen, to be noticed and always desiring to  show their power and influence. It is the image of the true King of the world, Jesus Christ, who comes to our level, to be like us in all things but sin. Jesus teaches us how we should act when, by grace, we are placed in offices and positions of power and authority in Church and outside Church. We should be reachable and available to our brothers and sisters for whom we are called to serve.

Jesus prays in the Gospel Reading: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.” Indeed, sometimes we are tempted to think that all that we are and all that we have are due our own works and efforts or even due to our successes. The response of Jesus is “no”. Nothing comes to us due to our own achievements. Every good gift that we have; a good marriage or relationship, a good job, children, property, and even our faith, are all from God. That is what it pleases Him to do. He gives to that person and keeps from another. God is in control of life and all its benefits and blessings. We are therefore to respond with thanksgiving; thanking Him for what we are and for what we receive.

The Gospel also reminds us that God knows our needs; the things that worry us and the things that we desire in our hearts. Seeing the crowd gathered around him, like our gathered community at every Mass, Jesus could see the sadness and pains on their faces, their struggles, etc. and so he invites them: “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest”. Today, he gives us the same invitation: “Come to me”.  It is an open invitation, a free invitation to all with no barriers and exemptions.

Jesus wants to us to handover to him our labours and burdens and he will replace them with his rest. The word “rest” that Jesus uses does not only mean a pause or an end to our labours and burdens but it also means a refreshment, a renewal of our strength. When we upload our worries and cares to God, he downloads them and then refreshes us, re-strengthens us to carry on with life. This is the rest that we receive at every Mass in Holy Communion. When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass, we are strengthened with spiritual energy to help us live our Christian calling the more.

Jesus ends with another invitation: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart”. This is a heartwarming invitation. The yoke was a piece of metal that was used to join two animals together to pull a load. Jesus is telling us he wants to yoke with us, to share in the carrying of our burdens and worries.. With Jesus there is no personal problems. It is no longer my burden, my worry but our burden, our worry. In Jesus we have a companion in our most difficult moments, with our most difficult burdens of life. It is only when God carries our burdens with us that they truly become easy and light. Let us pray that today we will find the true rest that we need and be found in the company of Jesus when our burdens become too difficult to handle.

Praise be Jesus Christ!

My Prayer: Almighty Father, you see all my cares and burdens, my worries and pains. May you give me the grace to accept your invitation to find rest in you. In Jesus name. Amen!

© Ask The Catholic Priest