Weekly thoughts on the Sunday Gospel, readings or a topic...

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seeing your life through the lens of the gospels
– Matthew 11:25-30
1. For Jesus, the key to a personal knowledge of God and relationship with God is not primarily through academic study but through a mind and heart open to learn. Recall moments when you had a sense that your relationship with God took a significant step forward. What kind of dispositions prepared you for that growth?
2. Jesus was dealing with a society in which people were very conscious of status, dignity and external appearances. He wanted to break down the barriers this created so that all would be aware of their worth and dignity. Perhaps you can recall someone who was not highly thought of in human terms, but who was a light to you.
3. In v.27 Jesus lets us into the secret of his relationship with his Father, one of total trust. This trust freed him from anxiety and worry about himself. As a result he was a person of gentle and humble heart and was able to bring rest to those who were overburdened. Recall people whose trust in God enabled them to be supportive to others who were stressed or burdened. Perhaps you have experienced this yourself?
4. Recall and give thanks for people who, like Jesus in the story, were able to combine challenge with sympathetic support and understanding. Perhaps you have been able to do this for others at times also. 
– John Byrne, OSA

The Deep End
In the opening lines of the Gospel today, Jesus praises God for the grace of openness and humility he sees around him, for revealing ‘these things’ to infants and hiding them from the ‘wise.’ I imagine Jesus had had enough of the arrogance and the egos of the elite. The authorities of the time who were so closed to his message of love and compassion. Jesus’ disciples were not from the upper echelons of society, but they trusted in Jesus, they wanted to understand, they had an openness to learn. For Jesus, God’s grace was found in the humble, in those who were open to new possibilities, in those whose hearts were not hardened or consumed by ego.
Over the past number of months, we have all been humbled a little, whether we were open to it or not. The Covid-19 epidemic stopped us in our tracks and suddenly we realised we were not in control. We were humbled by a microscopic invader with macroscopic consequences.
While many opportunities lay in our cocooning, I am very aware how many are struggling with our new reality. It has been a traumatic and stressful time for most people. And yet, within it all, our faith asks us to watch out for signs of hope, for stories of resurrection all around us, for good news.
Today, we hear some of the most beautiful lines in the Gospel: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’ The Message interpretation of the text reads: ‘Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I will not lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.’ During days of uncertainty, may we remember and whisper these lines, with open hearts. 
– Tríona Doherty

(from Intercom)