Zechariah 9:9-10
Romans 8:9, 11-13
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

Be Open

I’m sure we all know people who are very smart and have an image of themselves that places their importance above others. They are reluctant to learn something new from someone they believe to be inferior in some way. Their way of living is the way everyone should live.

This is the opposite of what Jesus tells us in Sunday’s gospel. He attributes who he is and all he knows to the Father. He shares who he is and all he knows with all who are open to him and his message. He is not impressed with know it all people and, in fact, has hidden these things from the wise and the learned. He even says that what’s of real importance has been revealed to little ones.

Jesus knows that striving to live a good and holy life is not easy. At times it’s even burdensome but always worth the effort. We need to spend time getting to know Jesus better each and every day. This requires time reading and praying with the gospels so that each word and deed of Jesus becomes our own. It means taking quiet time to reflect on how we are living our lives each day and seeking ways to live better and holy lives. Again, this is not easy. It calls for desire and commitment to be in a deep, loving relationship with Jesus.

We read in this gospel how Jesus praises his Father and then invites us to follow him. He helps us when we are stressed and overwhelmed, whether physically or spiritually. The closing words of the reading should give us hope.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Do we really believe this? Take some time this week to sit with these words and make them your own. Know that you are not alone. Our loving God is with you in the good times and difficult ones. Just be one of the little ones who is open to the message.

What image do you project to others? Are you one of the “learned” or one of the “little ones?”

What steps will you take this week to come to know Jesus better?