Daily Readings - Sun Jul 09 2017
Second Reading - Romans 8.9, 11-13
Romans
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Gospel - Matthew 11.25-30
Matthew
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between the Spirit of God and our daily lives. In the second reading from Romans, St. Paul contrasts living "in the flesh" with living "in the spirit." He reminds us that if the Spirit of Christ dwells within us, we are called to mortify the deeds of the flesh and instead live according to the Spirit. This is not about rejecting our humanity but about allowing God’s grace to transform us from within. The context of this passage is Paul’s broader discussion of the struggle between the flesh and the spirit, a theme central to the Christian life. He emphasizes that true freedom and life come not from indulging our selfish desires but from surrendering to the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the Father’s wisdom in revealing divine truths to "little ones" rather than to the wise and the proud. This reflects the humility required to follow Christ. Jesus then extends an invitation to all who are burdened, offering rest and refreshment. The yoke of Christ, though it may seem heavy, is actually "sweet and light" because it is rooted in love and humility. The context here is Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ hardness of heart, contrasting their pride with the simplicity and openness of those who are willing to learn from him. Together, the readings remind us that living in the Spirit and following Christ require humility and trust in God’s wisdom over human wisdom.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine how we approach challenges and burdens. Are we trying to carry our crosses alone, relying on our own strength, or are we turning to the Spirit for guidance and grace? Jesus invites us to yoke ourselves to him, not because he wants to add to our burdens, but because he desires to share them with us and give us rest. The moral lesson is clear: true freedom and peace come from living in the Spirit and embracing humility. Let us ask for the grace to let go of pride and self-reliance, and instead, trust in God’s wisdom and love to carry us through.