A MEEK SAVIOR - 14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (7/9/2023)

14^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
July 9, 2023

Zechariah 9:9-10
Psalm 145
Romans 8:9, 11-13
Matthew 11:25-30

A MEEK SAVIOR

What do you think of when you hear the word "meek?" Perhaps, instinctively, thoughts of weakness? Unfortunately, that is commonly the case. Today, however, meekness or gentleness is presented as a characteristic of the Messiah.

ZECHARIAH

Zechariah prophesied around 520-518 BC. His major concern was the building of the Second Temple. However, our reading today is taken from the second part of Zechariah, containing messianic visions of the coming Prince of Peace - a humble king entering Jerusalem on a donkey. The gospels of Matthew and John quote these verses in reference to Jesus' triumphal procession into Jerusalem prior to his passion, death and resurrection.

The Responsorial, Psalm 145, is a great song of praise to our God and King.

GOSPEL

Both St. Matthew and St. Luke have the verses in which Jesus praises the Father for revealing the hidden wisdom of the kingdom to "little ones."

The next three verses, however, are found only in Matthew's gospel. Jesus invites us to come to him and find rest. He challenges us to assume his "yoke" and to learn from him, because he is meek and humble of heart. Jesus promises that his yoke is easy and his burden light. May we all have the grace to learn from him and be yoked to him.

ROMANS

In today's second reading, St. Paul presents the opposition between flesh and spirit. He tells us that we are in the spirit only if the Spirit of God dwells in us. We must have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ to truly belong to Christ.

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us life, just as it brought Jesus back from the dead!

Since we have the Holy Spirit in us, we should no longer be "debtors" or servants of the flesh - which leads to death. Only the Holy Spirit will bring us to eternal life with the Lord.

MEEKNESS IS NOT WEAKNESS

Meekness is listed in Galatians 5:23 as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word can be also translated as "gentleness." The best understanding of this virtue is "strength under control." A good illustration is that of a team of very strong horses pulling a carriage. The horses would instinctively want to break away and run free, but are reined in and guided by the driver to accomplish a task or purpose.

Meekness is even-tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, having passions in check. So meekness is definitely not weakness, but rather power under control, or better, power exercising control.

Jesus is described as "meek and humble of heart," and we are to learn from him. Meekness is presented to us today as something to be highly prized and prayed for.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like unto thine!