The Time of Peace

 

We have in Christ the peace of God. 

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, July 9th, 2023
Texts: Zechariah9:9-10; Psalm 145:1 -2.8- 14; Roman 8:9.11-13; Matthew 11:25-30

Today’s message is about the time of peace. God tells us in today’s first reading that a king is coming who will usher in the time of peace. The king is described as a triumphant and victorious king, humble and a riding on a donkey. The king is Jesus Christ who is victorious over death by his resurrection and conquered hatred by love. By His commandment of love He brings war to a halt and ushers in peace. Hence, we read, “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”. 

It is clear in the first reading that only God that can give us peace. There is no peace anywhere, apart from God. God wills that we have peace through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the revelation that is hidden from the wise and understanding. In Jesus Christ we have peace. In His words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27). St. Paul says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). We have in Christ the peace of God.  

Jesus Christ invites us today: “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy 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.” To have peace we have to learn from Him, becoming gentle and lowly in heart. He also ask us to take up His yoke to have peace. It is by obedience that we yoke ourselves to Him. This means we are to live by His commandment of love. Love and being gentle and lowly in heart become the path of peace. Let us follow this path to have peace.  

Apostle Paul tells us today what it means to answer the invitation Christ offers us. It is living in the Spirit. Living in the Spirit brings peace, for apostle Paul says, “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). He who lives in the flesh cannot please God (Rom. 8:8). In today’s second reading, Apostle Paul says, “you are not in the flesh, you are in the spirit, if the spirit of God really dwells in you. Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

What does it mean to be in the Spirit? We are in the Spirit when our focus is on God, rather than the things of the flesh. Apostle Paul says,  “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:5). In today’s second reading, he says, “if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.” Hence, being the in spirit is putting to death the things of the flesh, being conscious of God and pleasing Him. It is also keeping Christ’s commandment of love.  

Prayer

O God, who in the abasement of your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin you bestow eternal gladness and peace. Amen  

 Fr. Andrew Olowomuke