Homily (Reflection) for the Fourteenth
Sunday of the Year (A) (05th July, 2020) on the Gospel
Zech 9:9-10;
Ps
144:1-2.8-11.13-14 (R.v.1);Rom 8:9.11-13;
Matt 11:25:30.
A friend once asked Samuel B. Morse, the inventor of the
telegraph: “Professor, while you were at your experiments, did you ever come to
a stage when you did not know what to do next?”
“Oh, yes, more than once,” answered Morse. “And at such
times, what did you do next?” “I must answer you in confidence,” replied the
inventor modestly, “but it is a matter of which the public knows nothing.
Whenever I could not see my way clearly I knelt down and prayed to God for
light and understanding.”
“And did the light and understanding come”? asked the
friend. “Yes,” declared Morse, “And may I tell you that when flattering honours
came to me from America and Europe on account of the invention which bears my
name, I never felt I deserved them. I had made a valuable application of
electricity, not because I was superior to other men, but solely because God
who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone, and was pleased to reveal
it to me.”[1]
Topic: Christ’s burden.
Jesus tells us in today’s gospel,
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will
give you rest” (Matt 11:28). Again
in the psalms we read, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you;
he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Ps 55:22).
These and other similar verses considered in isolation may
lead to the conclusion many have today that following Christ shields one from
every evil. However, today’s gospel reads further, “Take my yoke upon you, and
learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt 11:29-30).
As those who belong to different Christian denominations are
increasing, it is important that we understand our calling lest we might run in
vain, cf. Gal 2:2. Christians are
free people but we must not use it as a pretext for evil, cf. 1Pt 2:16. The call to be Christians is
not a call to be freed from every evil but to self denial. Hence Jesus warned,
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their
cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23; cf.
Matt 16:24; Mk 8:34). Whoever picks his/her cross and follow Christ will
certainly learn from Him as He instructs us in today’s gospel, cf. Matt 11:29.
In this life, both the virtuous and the wicked may suffer.
However, the difference is that some crosses (burdens and yokes) have Christ’s
insignia on them whereas many have not. Christ’s insignia on any cross is a
mark quality. It is a mark that a cross is not worthless. Hence Jesus assures
us, “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for
my sake will find it” (Matt 10:39; cf. Matt
16:25; Mk 8:35; Lk 9:24). Again, He promises all who will lose anything for
His sake and for the sake of the gospel a hundredfold and most importantly
eternal life, cf. Mk 10:29.
Many often think they know better than Jesus Christ, the
Way, the Truth, and the Life, cf. (Jn
14:6). Whenever one lowers the burden of sin, he/she takes up that of
Christ. Christ warns, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will
hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise
the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Lk 16:13).
Sometimes it might look like all hope is lost. It will not
be bad to follow the example of Samuel B. Morse. You can never pray too much.
Rely wholly on Christ who enlightens every person especially when you think
that all hope is gone. Remember His response to Saint Paul, “My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2Cor 12:9).
Bible Reading: Is 1:2-20; 1Pt 3:8-22; 4:12-19; Phil 2:12-18; 2Cor
12:1-10.
Thought for today:
Which
burden do you bear – Christ’s or devils?
Let
us pray: God our Father help
us to remember always that we can have rest only in you. Give us also the grace
to be always in you – Amen.
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with others if you consider it worthy.
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[1] Sagayanathan, A., (2009). Launching
pad: Stories for Sunday homilies, year A,B&C. Bangalore: Asian
Trading Corporation, p. 92.
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