Reflection for 14th
Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
(Zech 9:9-10; Rm
8:9,11-13; Mt 11:25-30)
1.0. Introduction
What sorts of knowledge do we rely
on when faced with challenges of life? These days motivational speakers feed us
with such knowledge that tends to bring out the best in us and inspire us with
positive thinking. Though such self-seeking knowledge is good, but it is highly
limited! Sooner or later, we discover that the self has little or no resources
to take us outside of itself and to persevere in its search. Worse still,
self-motivated knowledge can hardly conquer the self, which is often our number one burden.
2.0. Knowledge for the Humble
In the first reading, the prophet Zachariah steps in to feed us with the knowledge of the expected Saviour. He
described Him as “Triumphant and victorious”, and “humble.” This is how He
shall bring peace to the nations. In the Gospel this knowledge of God and of
the Saviour is given as a reward to the humble of heart. Jesus declared, “I
thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things
from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants.” Jesus the
Saviour, in whom dwells divinity in all fullness (Col 2:9), is the most humble
(Phil 2:6-8). The truly humble, therefore, shall be filled with the living
knowledge of God. That is why a humble person reflects the life of Christ.
Jesus says only the Father knows the
Son. But knowledge of the Father belongs to the Son and “any one to whom the
Son chooses to reveal Him.” To be humble, therefore, is to dispose oneself such
that He can be found worthy to receive this divine illumination. It is to put on Christ (Rm 13:14; Col 3:10) in
our thoughts and actions so that He can reveal to us that knowledge that flesh and blood cannot give (Mt 16:17). Yes,
the flesh itself is a burden unto a spiritual life. Hence, the second reading
encourages us not to live in the flesh so that the spirit of Christ can dwell
in us. According to St Paul, to be chosen
by the Son would then mean to have
the Holy Spirit in us, and we too will become triumphant and victorious in
every situation, including death.
3.0. Come and Learn
“Come to me, all who labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Imagine the burden of the ignorance of
God we bear! Zachariah in the first reading says, “Your king comes to you” in
humility. Now He asks us to come to
Him. Humility is our way of going forward to meet Jesus that He may reward us
with the knowledge of God. Once this laden of ignorance is lifted, we shall
have peace and rest of soul.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn
from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart.” The yoke
of acquiring the knowledge of God in humility through Jesus Christ will always
be light and easy. Within this knowledge, every burden we bear becomes light
too. While knowledge of ourselves and human capabilities can be helpful at some
length, they cannot guarantee peace and rest of soul. Imagine having such peace
of mind that no challenges in life can alter! So when our minds are burdened,
fear grips our souls, tensions rise in the heart, strength begins to fail,
uncertainties becloud our vision, etc, it is time to crawl to Jesus in humility.
This is time to rely on the knowledge of God for solutions.
Jesus has already humbled Himself
down to our every burden; He was laden with the yoke of our sorrows that we
might be relieved. He is not a motivational
speaker to boost one's self-image and promises him life without suffering. No! But Jesus invites us to locate ourselves
and our burdens in Him. The humble of heart are unstoppable; they have rest in
their labours and peace in their struggles.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday, July 5th, 2020.
