LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:1-2;8-9;10-11;13cd-14 (R. see 1)
Second Reading: Romans 8:9;11-13
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 11:25
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30
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| Comfort Mary Edewor |
MY REFLECTION
St. Paul reminds me here that I can only claim to belong to Christ, if his Spirit dwells within me, for the presence of this spirit is seen in those who are walking in the light.
It is the Spirit who empowers you to demonstrate authority and to subdue everything contrary to God's law. It is impossible to put to death the things that the carnal man desires to give him pleasure, without the Spirit of Christ actively directing your life. No man can succeed in fighting the spirit at work in the carnal man because war is not physical or by willpower or might. No one either can be a true witness of Christ, walking in the flesh and so, of necessity, we must continue to keep alive and active that Spirit we received at baptism, that we may not end up dying from the poison of sin.
The decision to live in the spirit must be a choice, a personal choice accompanied by a deliberate effort to always put God first in all we do in order to enjoy the security that will always be ours.
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| Josephine Uzo |
MY REFLECTION
Dwelling In The Spirit Of Humility.
Our readings cut across Humility as the principal aspect of Christendom.
The first reading, lays emphasis on Christ's humility even unto riding on a common donkey despite being the King of Kings, as prophesied by the Prophet Zachariah.
Christ indeed was humble, as to bring peace unto all the nations of the world. His humility made him achieve the goal of granting everlasting grace unto all humanity, through his holy shameful death on the cross of Calvary.
No wonder He calls all those who are burden and heavy of heart, to come to Him and have rest. Anticipating them to learn from Him for He is gentle and lowly in Heart.
Jesus laying emphasis on His yoke being easy and His burden being light, signifies;
As a Christian, when you take up the spirit of humility and become willingly to serve, earthly vices and power, will never become a burden to you.
You will have inner peace of mind, as your heart will be free from worries and the race of trying to meet up with earthly goals.
N.B: God hates pride but exalts humility.
As our Psalmist will say, "The Lord supports all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down".
May Almighty God help us to have the spirit of humility- the spirit of Jesus, so we can belong entirely to Jesus and put to death the deeds of the flesh. Amen 🙏
Shalom!
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| Janefrances Udeh |
MY REFLECTION
In the Gospel passage, Jesus expresses gratitude to God the Father for revealing His truth to the humble and childlike, while concealing it from the wise and learned of the world. He then extends an invitation to all who are burdened and weary to come to Him and find rest.
One of the key aspects of this passage that stands out, is the emphasis on humility and childlike faith. Jesus thanked God the Father, for revealing His truth to those who approach Him with a humble and teachable spirit, contrasting it with the pride and self-sufficiency often associated with the wise and learned. This highlights an important aspect of the Christian journey- in order to truly understand and experience the deep truths of God, one must approach Him with an open heart, recognizing their own need for His guidance and wisdom.
Moreover, Jesus' invitation to those who are burdened and weary speaks directly to the human condition. Life can be filled with trials, challenges, and the weight of our own sin. In these verses, Jesus acknowledges the burdens we carry and offers Himself as the source of true rest. He promises that when we come to Him, taking His yoke upon ourselves, we will find rest for our souls. This imagery of the yoke is significant because it implies a partnership- Jesus invites us to join Him in the journey of life, to walk alongside Him, and to learn from Him. In doing so, we find not only rest for our weary bodies but also for our restless souls.
This passage also reveals the compassionate nature of Jesus. He is not a distant and indifferent deity but a loving and caring Saviour, who understands the struggles and hardships we face in our daily lives. He calls us to Himself, assuring us that He will provide the peace, comfort, and strength we need. In a world that often feels overwhelming and burdensome, these words bring immense comfort and hope.
As we ponder these verses, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining a childlike faith and humble disposition before God. We are called to cast our burdens upon Him, knowing that He cares for us. It is an invitation to let go of our worries, anxieties, and attempts to control our lives, and instead to surrender to God's loving embrace.
May God grant us the grace to embrace humility, seek to learn from Christ, and discover the profound peace that comes from yielding our lives to Him, through Christ our Lord, Amen 🙏
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