Daily Readings - Sun Jul 05 2020
Zechariah
9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.10And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
Romans
9But 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.11But 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.12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13For 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.
Matthew
25At 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.26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.27All 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.28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto 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.