Walking with Jesus: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, July 9, 2023

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

The Jews are expecting a messiah. Unanimously they anticipate a strong, military type. They want to be free from the tyranny of Rome. But when Jesus comes, He just doesn’t fit their expectations: He comes into Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a warhorse. He submits to a violent execution. There's nothing in his life and death that would suggest a violent revolution and fulfill their far-fetched dream. Imagine living in their time. Perhaps watching The Chosen helps us appreciate their times and troubles. They have few rights or privileges. Their lives are dominated by foreigners and are tyrannized by religious leaders.

In reflecting on Jesus, imagine the strength found in His meekness. His patience and gentleness are complemented by His deep care for the suffering and compassion for all who dream of freedom but are bound by the fetters of those in power. It would seem that every encouraging word, every act of kindness, every story of God’s love and presence should help to drown out their horrible existence. Could He be the Messiah? He’s telling us of a God of love, but we can’t see any love around us from those who have the power and authority to rule over us. In their position of prominence, the Pharisees should understand the “messiah in Jesus.” But their comfort in their knowledge of God, coupled with their certainty that their ways are right and everyone else’s are wrong, can’t budge them. Let’s prove this fake miracle worker wrong … we’ll have to get rid of Him … He’s ruining our control, power and prestige with the commoners — and we’re losing money to this upstart. Today’s readings counteract these so-called guides and interpreters of God’s ways.

Zechariah is the prophet when Israel returns from their exile to the Promised Land. He describes a wonderful change in the people: Their worship of God has become sincere. The prophet spells out clear examples of what discipleship entails: kindness, mercy, care for the needy, and big-heartedness toward others. He describes how the ideal king — the messiah — differs greatly from contemporary monarchs. Not a warrior, this one is a herald of peace. He is a humble leader serving the God of Israel. He will rule in justice and bring salvation. The ways of securing a kingdom have failed with the exile, and now is the right time for establishing a kingdom founded on a right relationship with God. This messiah king secures His kingdom by spreading the message of peace that only God can give. Do I reflect on the kingdom I want, or the kingdom of God based on love, justice, peace and forgiveness?

Paul asks us to reflect on how the Holy Spirit has given us new life. In our growing years we were bound by the limitations of the flesh. In our Baptism, the Spirit has taken up residence and made its dwelling place in us. Nothing is more important than knowing who we now are: God’s beloved. If we know who we are, we are at peace with ourselves and we can be at peace with others. In knowing this, we know what we must do and how to act. In this way we begin to understand something of our future and our destiny, which is to be with God forever.

Today's beautiful Gospel brings comfort to many and frequently is chosen by families to read at the funeral of a loved one. It is a thanksgiving prayer addressed to God by Jesus. He’s echoing how the scribes and Pharisees consistently have rejected His teaching and misunderstood His actions. Although these so-called wise and learned guides have rejected Jesus, childlike people have accepted Him. This is all part of God’s plan. The so-called “leaders” have set up many yokes that are burdensome, but Jesus’ yokes of peace, love, kindness, caring, and forgiveness show us deeply and accurately that God is a God of love.

I reflect on a prayer from Matthew, A Devotional Commentary:

“Lord, you are sovereign over all the universe, yet You are meek and humble of heart. You have sent Your own Spirit to live in us, and You want to reveal the Father to us. Protect us, Jesus, from the confusion that results when we seek answers for our lives apart from You. Shield us from the domain of self rule. Instead, establish us under Your governance where You have beckoned us to come. Yes, let us be yoked to You.”

Sacred Space 2023 states:

“Think of a public figure who leaves a press conference and goes home to be greeted by her child: She is known and recognized in very different ways. Theologians can become scientists who are experts about God, but without prayer, God remains unknown. Here you are, drawn to prayer, called into relationship with your living God; this gladdens Jesus’ heart more than any library, thesis or ecclesiastical pronouncement. Listen for what God wants to reveal to you now.”