Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 5, 2026

Delivered by Christine Gunawan from the Parish of Saint Joseph Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Pontianak, Indonesia. Zechariah 9: 9-10; Rs psalm 145: 1-2.8-9.10-11.13cd-14; Romans 8: 9.11-13; Matthew 11: 25-30.HE GIVES US REST The theme for our meditation on this 14thSunday in Ordinary Time is: He Gives Us Rest. There were two children in afamily, one was in grade 6 and the younger one is in grade 4 elementary school.Their mother was so obsessed that her children were to be smart and successful.She required them with a lot of extra learning and tutoring. She was so upsetif her children got red marks. She was so disciplined with them that thechildren became so scared and exhausted. Every time they returned home, their faces lookeddiscouraged. But they remained under the observance of the mother who did notwant her children to have time for relax and play. However, they had a wise andkind father. Even though he had just returned from work, he took times toaccompany his two children. He brought them pleasant gifts or souvenirs. Hehugged them and told them many things that were entertaining and made themlaugh. What the father did to his children reflects Jesus'own deed, as He brought the little ones, the sick, the weak, the neglected, thepoor, and the forgotten to come to Him. He says: "Come to Me, all of youwho are weary and heavy burdened. I will give you rest." Jesus invites allof us to come to Him to experience such wonderful blessing from him. What heprovides is what happiness is all about. However, are we all tired and helpless? Of course weare. Tiredness and helplessness differ in grades from one person to another.Situation, work, and difficulty of each person is different with their relatedburdens or problems. Based on the light of the readings of today, there arethree burdens that we should give attention to. The first is the burden of our being as little andweak persons. If we are the little ones, the weak and those who have noinfluence, it signifies that there are always some who are in power and at anytime they may act towards us without love and mercy. They often don't have pityand trust in us. Another burden is the burden of sin. If we do not take care ofour souls by regretting sin, confessing it and repenting, it signifies that theburden is becoming heavier day by day. In due time the sin will torment anddestroy us. Saint Paul is very clear in saying that life in the flesh is aheavy burden for us. The third burden is the burden of pride. According toJesus Christ, the learned, wise, powerful and rich people are those who carryheavy burdens. They are actually very tired, because they are so obsessed formany things in life. For example, if you are too much preoccupied with so manyplans and ambitions, you will be very tired and boring. To all of these, Jesus'invitation becomes for us very important, that we should come to Him, becausefrom Him we find a pleasant rest. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O heavenly Father, may with this Sundaycelebration, we find in You a restful life and gain good health of our bodiesand souls. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In thename of the Father ...