Reflection on Today's Readings, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 5th July, 2020
Texts: Zech. 9:9-10; Ps. 145:1-2,8-14; Rom. 9,11-13; Matt. 11:25-30
St. Paul, in the second reading, says, "Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him". Having the Spirit of Christ is having the same driving force and sense of purpose with Christ in whatever we do. It entails having the attitude and disposition of Jesus Christ to things; loving what he loves and doing what he does with the same purpose, zeal, attitude and disposition he himself does them. Hence, Jesus Christ, in today's gospel, says, "Come to me, all who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls". Having the Spirit of Christ means taking his yoke upon ourselves and carrying his burden. Yoke is a term used to describe submission. Being yoked to Christ means submitting ourselves to him. Burden means responsibility and duty. The burden of Christ is his laws and regulations, the responsibility and duty we have in him. Carrying his burden means obeying his laws and regulations, accepting responsibility and call to duty in Jesus Christ. The first reading reminds us that Jesus Christ as King has come to establish peace on earth. It says, "I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations". Whoever has the Spirit of Christ also seek to promote peace on earth.
Texts: Zech. 9:9-10; Ps. 145:1-2,8-14; Rom. 9,11-13; Matt. 11:25-30
St. Paul, in the second reading, says, "Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him". Having the Spirit of Christ is having the same driving force and sense of purpose with Christ in whatever we do. It entails having the attitude and disposition of Jesus Christ to things; loving what he loves and doing what he does with the same purpose, zeal, attitude and disposition he himself does them. Hence, Jesus Christ, in today's gospel, says, "Come to me, all who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls". Having the Spirit of Christ means taking his yoke upon ourselves and carrying his burden. Yoke is a term used to describe submission. Being yoked to Christ means submitting ourselves to him. Burden means responsibility and duty. The burden of Christ is his laws and regulations, the responsibility and duty we have in him. Carrying his burden means obeying his laws and regulations, accepting responsibility and call to duty in Jesus Christ. The first reading reminds us that Jesus Christ as King has come to establish peace on earth. It says, "I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations". Whoever has the Spirit of Christ also seek to promote peace on earth.
It also becomes clear in his own words that to have his Spirit we have to learn from him and as such having his Spirit requires being his disciples. Dear friends, let us sit at the feet of Jesus Christ to learn from him; each time we read our Bible, study the Word of God, meditate on God's Word, attend Bible studies, listen to homilies or read and study sacred books, we sit at the feet of Jesus Christ to learn.
When we have the Spirit of Christ, then we will no longer live in the flesh and we will have peace and rest for our souls.
Lord Jesus Christ, fill us with your Spirit that we may be able to do your will. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
Posts
0 Comments