Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Foreword: Please join me this week on a journey, as we follow the Church’s readings through the Book of Hosea, an ancient prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel. I think you and I both will discover that the life and message of Hosea are still relevant and needed today. Reading Hosea can help us to understand and appreciate more God’s love for us in Christ Jesus.

Imagine a world without guns—a world where the production and sale of all weapons have been banned: pistols and bombs; even swords and arrows. Imagine if the people in that world did not have weapons at all. Would that world be more peaceful? Would the people in that world still kill one another?

The prophet Zechariah in today’s first reading envisions a world like that (cf. Zec 9:9-10). That world is the age when the Messiah, the Anointed One, shall come and rule over the whole world, from “sea to sea” and “from the River to the ends of the earth.” As king, he will banish the “chariot” and the “horse”, vehicles of war, and take away the “warrior’s bow”, the great weapon of the day. This king will be a “just savior”, who will “proclaim peace to the nations,” not by force or intimidation—but while riding on a donkey, a small long-eared mammal used for farming and traveling. He will come “on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” This powerful figure, one who will rule the world and banish weapons and war, will make his entrance on a young male donkey – not very impressive at first sight.

That’s because this ruler will be different, according to Zechariah and many other prophets. This king will be “meek” and humble, not arrogant and proud. He will be merciful and not break the “bruised reed” or extinguish the “smoldering wick” (cf. Isaiah 42:3). This king will “save the needy when they cry, the poor who have no one to help” (cf. Ps 72:12). This will be the time of the Messiah.

For Christians, the time of the Messiah has come in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. In the Gospel today, Jesus calls to us tenderly, “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” (Mt 11:28-29a). Jesus, meek and humble, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as the Messiah before his Death and Resurrection (cf. Mt 21:1-11).

But if the long-awaited Messiah has come in the person of Jesus, then why do we not see Zechariah’s prophecy fulfilled? Why are there still bows and arrows, guns and bombs, and other means of violence and war? Why do we not see Jesus ruling over the whole world, and proclaiming peace to the nations? But he is! Through his disciples! The spirit of Jesus is proclaiming peace—wherever his spirit speaks. The spirit of Jesus is ruling—wherever his spirit is enthroned as king in the heart.

But not all have the Spirit of Christ. Even if all weapons were banned, people would still find means to kill. As far back as Cain and Abel (cf. Gen 4:8), brother has attacked brother out of anger and jealousy—even prejudice as in our day. So it will be the Spirit of Christ, ruling in every human heart, which will ban all means and reasons for violence and war.

So, let us invite Jesus into our hearts to be our king, and may his peaceful spirit give us rest. Let us learn from him to be meek and humble, and proclaim peace with our lips and with our lives.

Action: Make the Responsorial Psalm your prayer word for the day: “I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.” (Ps 145:1) Memorize it, put a melody to it, and have it run in your head and into your heart and actions through the day.

Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB