GOD IS ABLE TO SAVE YOU FROM ALL YOUR PROBLEMS

⏰Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

????Zech 9:9-10; Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13cd-14 (R.v.1); Rom 8:9,11-13; Matt 11:25-30

Are you a Christian? Then you must be a friend of Jesus, and if you are a friend of Jesus, you have nothing to worry about because Jesus always takes care of the worries of his friends.

The Gospel says that much. In the first place, Jesus thanks God for revealing the mysteries about God and salvation to those considered as the little ones of the world. Mark that word, little ones. That does not just mean little children as in childishness. It rather means a kind of lowliness. Remember the Beatitude, Blessed are the humble for they shall inherit the earth (Matt 5:5).

Before the pericope that forms todays Gospel, the disciples of John had come to Jesus to enquire about the identity of Jesus. It was there that the evangelist Matthew recorded some of the miracles of Jesus, The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life and good news is preached to the poor (Matt 11:5).

The prophet Zechariah, in the First Reading, had prophesied the appearance of a king that would appear triumphant and victorious and bring peace to all the nations. According to the prophet, the king shall exhibit a sign of humility, ride on a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey (Zech 9:9), a prophecy that is all fulfilled in Christ during his triumphant entry into Jerusalem (cf. Matt 21:2-9). Note that that entry brought joy to the people (Matt 21:9) just as the prophet said of the daughter of Zion (Zech 9:9).

Jesus wishes that all who follow him should experience such joy without worrying about anything. That is why he said, Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28). If he is not capable of giving such rest, he would not have called us to come to him. He would say later, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me (Matt 28:18). He has power to do everything.

All we need to do therefore is to allow his spirit to dwell in us as St. Paul encourages the Romans in the Second Reading. Jesus tells us how best to do this when he said also in the Gospel, 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 (Matt 11:29).

May the Lord lift up your burdens of life and grant you the desired rest from him. Amen.

Peace be with you.