Daily Readings - Sun Jul 09 2017
Romans
9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
Matthew
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30For 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.