2020/07/05 — 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time — Year A

First Reading — Zechariah 9:9-10
Second Reading — Romans 8:9, 11-13
Gospel — Matthew 11:25-30



As is usually the case, the first reading has been chosen to accompany the gospel passage, while the second reading is independent of the other two.


The Meek Savior Who Gives Us Rest

Jesus tells us that he is meek and humble of heart, that his yoke is easy and his burden light. He is also the one who reveals the Father to us. Zechariah tells us that this meek man is our savior and our king. He will have a world-wide rule that will be one of peace. In other words, he will bring rest to our souls.

We should understand this rest ultimately in an eschatological sense. Certainly there is comfort in the hope given by our faith, but we still have trials and troubles of many different kinds in the present life. Genesis tells us that God rested from the work of creation on the seventh day. It is when we join him in the new creation that we fully enjoy the rest for our souls which Jesus promises to those who come to him



Living by the Spirit

The second reading also reminds us that the ultimate fulfillment of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is our resurrection. But for now, there is a struggle going on between the flesh and the spirit.

It's not that the body is bad. After all, it is to be raised as Jesus was. It's that we have sinful tendencies — tendencies which draw us away from God and from living holy lives such as the Spirit inspires.


Conclusion

Jesus reveals God the Father to us, and gives us the Holy Spirit to enable us to live according to his example and teachings. We have the promise of the rest that is eternal life with God.