Daily Readings - Sun Jul 05 2020
Zechariah
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.
Romans
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.
Matthew
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.