Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 09 July 2023 Homily for 09 July 2023 – Sunday
First Reading: Zechariah 9: 9-10
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (9)
Alleluia, we rejoice at our Lord’s imminent arrival! We must also remember that He arrives triumphant yet humbly. Therefore, we will not be discouraged when arrogance seems to rule over us now. Our eyes are fixed on the Blessed Lamb of God!
Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145: 1-2, 8-11, 13-14
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. (1)
The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. (14)
Alleluia!
Second Reading: Romans 8: 9, 11-13
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. (11)
We believe that Christ lives in us, especially when we receive him in the Holy Eucharist. The same Lord Jesus Christ raises our mortal bodies, here and now! The healing of our physical ailments can be achieved through Christ in us! We need to repent and turn to him daily. Even our thought life is sanctified the moment we let Christ into our minds! We must lean into his promptings each time he whispers in our hearts! Every moment we will find a new reckoning and a new beginning. We thus will be raised in our spiritual and physical life every time we turn to the Son, just like the sunflower!
In Jesus’ name, Amen, Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 11: 25-30
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. (29)
This sentence seems to hold the key to peaceful living and a life in the Spirit. But how must one live out this principle? It is not an easy task! When there is so much negativity around us, when there is falsehood being paraded and celebrated as good; following the precepts of Christ doesn’t come as a first choice! There is a certain urge to rectify all the wrong by voicing out or taking quick action. Sometimes it is imperative to do so. But we must also choose our battles. Humbly taking a step back, choosing silence, and taking time to sort one’s thoughts seem to bolster us against the ravages on our soul. It is in those moments that we must turn our gaze to the eyes of the Lord Saviour, who is walking alongside us in the storm. His hand on our shoulder and firm grip of our hand will help us tread upon those murky waters, in quite confidence! We can voice our opinion to Him, and watch the Lord of the Universe take control of the situation. After all, HE has the victory!
Amen, In Jesus’ name, Alleluia!
