Sunday Scripture Readings

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fourteen sunday

in ordinary time,

July 7

Zechariah 9:9-10; Psalm 145;

Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30

OUR GOOD NEWS: In Jesus, God understands and supports us in our failures. "On one occasion Jesus spoke thus..." A seemingly offhand introduction leads into an amazing insight about how Jesus saw himself and his work. Jesus had come as "Wisdom" (revelation) of God, fulfillment of Old Testament promises and sole adequate means for Israel to "know" her Lord. Unaccountably, religiously sophisticated Jews - including their spiritual leaders - were rejecting his ministry. Jesus, the apparent messianic failure! Only a naive and uneducated marginal group of Israelites acknowledged the Son as Wisdom-revelation of the Father. These "merest children" are persons of every age lacking formal religious education as well as adequate resources for measuring up to expectations imposed by Scribes and Pharisees. Such included groups unable, because of economic disadvantage (poor) or employment and lifestyle (tax collectors, "sinners"), to master and observe the 613 precepts summarizing binding Mosaic Law. If we were Jesus, we would have yielded to discouragement, depression and despair because of personal failure. Instead, "he offered praise," unconcerned about outcomes of his ministry. Jesus recognized that even sin and failure fit into God's overarching plan whereby humble and poor have been singled out to constitute the genuine Chosen People. Even and especially in failure, Jesus selflessly rejoiced that the Father's will was being accomplished. Jesus' heart went out to such as those "whose work is hard, whose load is heavy," persons struggling against near-impossible odds to learn and do what's right. His serenity amid seeming failure and his power-in-meekness reassure without daunting us. We're a group of "losers" transformed into "winners" by God's love revealed through his Son. In today's Gospel Jesus thus sets us the example of how to be "faithful failures," doing our part while leaving the rest to God whatever our situation, thanking him rather than yielding to frustration or feeling sorry for ourselves.