Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 5, 2020
First Reading: Zechariah 9.9-10
9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.10I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 145
1I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.2Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.4One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.5On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.6They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.7They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.10All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,12to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]14The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.16You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Second Reading: Romans 8.9, 11-13
9You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.11If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.12So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.13For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Gospel: Matthew 11.25-30
25At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.27All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound messages of humility, peace, and the invitation to a life guided by the Spirit. The prophet Zechariah announces the arrival of a humble King, who comes not in power or splendor, but on a donkey, symbolizing meekness and peace. This King will bring an end to war and extend His dominion universally. In Romans, Paul contrasts life in the flesh with life in the Spirit, urging believers to mortify the flesh and live according to the Spirit, promising life and peace. Jesus, in Matthew, invites the weary to come to Him, offering rest and a light burden, emphasizing meekness and humility as the path to true freedom.
These readings are deeply interconnected. Zechariah's prophecy finds fulfillment in Jesus, who embodies the humility and peace the prophet foretold. Paul's exhortation to live by the Spirit aligns with Jesus' invitation to take on His yoke, which is light and sweet. Together, they call us to embrace a life of humility and trust in God's Spirit, rejecting the burdens of the flesh.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we approach challenges and burdens. Jesus' invitation to come to Him reminds us that true strength lies in humility and trust. By living according to the Spirit, as Paul encourages, we can find the peace and rest that Jesus offers. Let us turn to Him in our weariness, embracing humility and meekness, and allow His Spirit to guide us, leading us to a life of lightness and joy.