AN INVITATION OF JESUS TO REST A WHILE
First Reading: Zechariah 9: 9-10
Second Reading: Romans 8: 9 and 11-13
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11: 25-30
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Zechariah. Zechariah urges the people of Israel to rejoice because their promised leader - the Messiah - is coming. The Messiah is not coming as a proud warrior but he is full of humility. He is victorious but peace-loving. He is triumphant yet very humble. This prophecy of Zechariah finds its fulfillment in the person Jesus.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul instructs the Christian community at Rome and all of us that we have Holy Spirit living in us. He further clarifies that authentic and genuine Christian life is lived in union with the Spirit of Christ and it results in the fullness of life. He warns us that a sinful and sensual life is a living death and results in the destruction of the divine life in us.
Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. Jesus lovingly invites everyone who is humble, gentle and are overburdened to have rest in His caring presence. All of us in some way are burdened due to various life situations and worries. Jesus is the embodiment of the heavenly Father's goodness. All those who follow Him finds true rest and reassurance that He alone can dispense with. 'Come to me' is a great invitation of Jesus which is totally open to everyone of us-in various age groups and all classes of people in the society. It is an invitation to all people: Those working, the struggling, the oppressed and the persecuted. It is an invitation to those who do manual works or intellectual works. Jesus offers true rest to everyone no matter who we are or what we do. We all get weakened, tired and enfeebled. Rest is a universal need: We need physical, mental and spiritual rest for our true growth. Jesus is always ready to give us that rest.
"Lord, you have made our hearts for you and they are restless until they rest in you." - St. Augustine
"We find rest in those we love and we provide a resting place in ourselves for those who love us." - St. Bernard Clairaux
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
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