Sunday Gospel Reflections14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Zechariah 9:9-10 II: Romans 8:9,11-13
Gospel Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes;
26 yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.
27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 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.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Interesting Details
- In the midst of a section largely devoted to the rejection of Jesus and his message (Mt 11-13), this passage contains three revelations:
- praise and thanksgiving to God for having revealed to the infants (vv.25-26),
- a declaration about Jesus' special relationship to the Father (v.27), and
- an invitation to share Jesus' wisdom teaching (vv.28-30). - (v.25) "The wise and understanding" refers to scribes and Pharisees who reject Jesus. In most Jewish writings of the time the recipients of divine revelations are wise and understanding. What God has hidden from them is the significance of Jesus' mighty deeds and the presence of God's kingdom in his ministry.
- (v.25) "The infants" refers to the disciples, simple and uneducated, who hear Jesus and perceive his significance despite their lack of social standing and expertise in religious matters.
- (v.27) Jesus asserts that God has granted him the revelation of himself as completely as a father discloses himself to a son. The revelation between God and Jesus is so close that the only adequate terms for it are Father and Son. Therefore, only Jesus can pass on to others the real knowledge and wisdom of God.
- (vv.28-30) Jesus expresses his invitation to discipleship in terms used in Sir 51:23-27. Using the traditional image of the law as a "yoke," Jesus, the authoritative interpreter of the law, promises refreshment and rest in his wisdom school. The burden is the Pharisees' approach to wisdom, the light burden is Jesus' teaching.
One Main Point Acceptance of Jesus' message depends upon the Father's revelation, but this is granted to those who are open to receive, and refused to the arrogant.
Reflections
- Do I always act solely based on my knowledge, or do I let my heart direct me in a meek and humble way? What type of person am I?
- What makes the relationship between the Father and the Son Jesus so close? How close is my relationship with God? How can I improve this relationship?
- Jesus' law and teaching is easy and light "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." What are the heavy burdens I am carrying? My job, my study, my family, my finance, my ambition...? Are they necessary? How can I make them lighter? How can He make them lighter?