14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Zechariah 9:9-10

Psalm 145

Romans 8:9.11-13

Matthew 11:25-30

REST FOR THE BURDENED

Today’s readings have a message of hope and consolation for us. In the first reading, the prophet Zechariah invites the people of Jerusalem to rejoice because the Messiah-King is coming to restore them. He is a just Saviour, meek and humble. He is coming to banish anything that serves for war and oppression so as to establish a kingdom of peace.

As we know, this prophecy was realized in Jesus of Nazareth, but not all recognized him. For instance, the Pharisees, the Scribes and the chief priests failed to recognize him as the long awaited Messiah. Thus, Jesus praised the Father for hiding this mystery from the wise and the learned, and yet revealed it to the little ones. In Jesus, God revealed his saving power to mankind. In him, God himself has come to save and give rest to his people: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” The “burden” refers to the burden of the pharisaic legalism as contrasted with the “yoke” of Jesus, which is easy to bear.

For us today, the « burden » may take different names : sickness, loss of a loved one, joblessness or hardships of life. For some, the burden is the family instability, disappointments or betrayals in relationships. For others, it may be the weight of their iniquities and past sins. Still for others, it may be oppression from evil spirits. 

In any case, Jesus wants to be at all times a true source of comfort, consolation, liberation to us. However, he is not inviting us only to find serenity and hope in him in time of trouble. He invites us also to take upon ourselves his yoke and learn from him. In other words, he invites us to be at his school and learn his humility, kindness, tenderness, compassion and his obedience to the Father. As we may deduce from the second reading, to be in the school of Jesus means also dying to the works of the flesh and living in the Spirit. May the Lord help us to recognize him as our King and Saviour so as to call upon him at all times. Amen 

ATTENTION: Expressing my gratitude to each one of you for your support of any kind, constructive remarks and prayers, I would like to inform you that, for technical and organisational reasons, the “Sowing the Seed” Sunday reflexions are suspended for an indefinite time. Thanks for your kind understanding.

13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

2 Kings 4:8-11,14-16

Psalm 88 (89)

Romans 6:3-4,8-11

Matthew 10:37-42

BLESSED FOR A CUP OF WATER

Barbara De Angelis once said: “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them; and they bless you, the giver.” Thus, Jesus’ teaching that anyone who welcomes a prophet, a just man or a disciple will not go unrewarded, is reflected by the hospitality offered to the prophet Elisha by the Shunemite woman and its consequent reward. Indeed, anyone who shows love, care and concern to another, little it may be, does so to the Lord (Matt. 25:40); and God will not be so unjust as to forget a good deed done. 

It is important therefore to reconsider how we lead our lives as Christians, for through baptism, we have been called to a newness of live in Christ (Rom. 6:3-4,8-11). And this newness of life has its own requirements and demands: service to others, detachment from many things, including one’s family relations, for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. In other words, commitment to Christ takes precedence over everything else, as he tells us in today’s gospel.

Equally important is the way we relate with those who preach the Word of God to us. For instance, the way we relate to our priests. Do we see them as men of God? Do we accept them as we would accept Jesus himself since they are his representatives among us? What about those who do us good, or sacrifice their time, talents, resources and energy in various ways to lead us in prayer and liturgical celebrations, instruct us in the faith? Do we show respect to our catechists or our leaders? Do we strive to make things easier for them like the Shunemite woman or we try to make life more difficult for them?

Moreover, as priests and leaders, how do we treat our catechists, Mass servers, choir masters, and all those who help us in diverse ways? Do we often take them for granted and take advantage of them or we show concern for their wellbeing? Do we pray for them? Let us all remember, any good deed done with a good heart will not go unnoticed by God. Like the prophet Elisha, let us learn to seek the good of those who help us and ask God to bless them. May God bless and keep all of us! Amen.

12TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Jeremiah 20:10-13

Psalm 68 (69)

Romans 5:12-15

Matthew 10:26-33

“FEAR NO ONE !”

Today’s readings speak about the right attitude which a missionary must have in the face of suffering and persecution. According to St Paul in the second reading, God’s grace in Christ Jesus overflows and outweighs human transgressions. In the gospel, Jesus gives instructions to his disciples for the mission entrusted to them. He invites them to have the audacity to proclaim the truth despite everything, because the truth itself is irresistible. He encourages them to overcome their fears and anxieties, and to place their trust in God who watches over every sparrow and protects his own.

The first reading is one of “the confessions of Jeremiah” which express the depth of Jeremiah’s sufferings on account of his prophetic mission. Considered as the prophet of doom, Jeremiah’s proclamation was bitter and disturbing to his contemporaries. He never ceased to say the truth to the people and to denounce their evil ways, calling them to conversion. For this reason, the people and their kings never liked him. They persecuted him and plotted various evils against him. This notwithstanding, Jeremiah remained faithful, fearless and resilient in his mission, putting his trust in God who would not let him down. 

The story of the prophet Jeremiah is still relevant today. In our churches, communities, homes, schools and work places, the people who always stand for the truth and justice are often victims of hatred and slander, unjustified criticisms and unfounded accusations, persecutions and other evil machinations. But this should not be the ground for fear or discouragement. If we trust in God and remain faithful in doing good and bearing witness to the truth, a great reward awaits us in heaven. Thus, we should never compromise the gospel values in order to save our image or achieve some personal gain. 

Moreover, if we give up because we want to please men, we will lose all. Or if we ourselves persecute others and plot evil against them because of their truthfulness and righteousness, then we must know that unforgettable shame and confusion await us. For God always rescues the life of the poor and the righteous from the power of the wicked! 

May God protect us and grant us the grace to remain faithful till the end. Amen

11TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Exodus 19:2-6

Psalm 100

Romans 5: 6-11

Matthew 9:36 – 10:8

CHOSEN TO BE SENT

Today’s readings may be summed up under the theme: chosen to be sent. In effect, the passage from Exodus is a kind of preamble to the great covenant-making event on Mount Sinai. It highlights two things. First, it reminds the Israelites of their experience of God’s closeness to them. God had liberated them from Egyptian slavery and led them to Sinai, bearing them up “on eagle wings”. As such, the people would hearken to God’s voice and keep his covenant on account of their experience of the solicitude of God who freed them and invited them to trust in him. Indeed, one cannot enter into a covenant without freedom and trust.

Second, through the covenant, Israel would become God’s chosen people: “Now therefore, if you listen to my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people…You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation”. Henceforth, Israel would be God’s personal portion. It is interesting to note that Saint Peter applies this divine election to Christians when he affirms: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the great deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). 

Thus, like the people of Israel, we have been chosen by God to be the people of the new covenant, a covenant sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ who died for us even when we were still sinners, as Saint Paul reminds us in the second reading. Like them, we need to keep the covenant and always remain faithful to God.

Moreover, we are to always remember that this divine election has a responsibility, that of making known to other people God’s goodness and compassion. Like the twelve disciples in the Gospel, we too have been summoned, chosen and sent out. Our mission is to proclaim the reign of God, to announce to the peoples that God has set us free in Jesus Christ. Thus, there is an urgent need to share with others what we have received without cost from God. By so doing, they may have a share in the love of our covenant-keeping God.

May God bless and keep all of us. Amen.