Jesus in the Gospel invites us, “Come to me.”
These summer days, here are a few thoughts worth considering. In a farming community, the townspeople gathered in church to pray for rain. But only one person brought an umbrella. That's faith. We go to bed without assurance of tomorrow, but still we set the alarm clock. That's hope. We see suffering everywhere, but we still get married and raise children. That's love.
We plan big things despite zero knowledge of the future. That's confidence. Finally, on a man's shirt was written: “I am not 80 years old; I am sweet 16 with 64 years of experience.” That's attitude. Yes, a few thoughts worth mulling over these lazy summer days.
Jesus calls us to open our hearts. How? By giving God praise and worship; by being generous, by forgiving those who have wronged us, by caring for family, neighbors and colleagues. That’s why we gather together: to open our hearts.
The word of God today first takes us back to the sixth century before Jesus. Ancient Babylonia destroyed Jerusalem. And yet, Zechariah speaks about the future, about a messianic leader who will usher in a new era of peace, justice and prosperity.
Zechariah challenges us to always hope in God. A modern day philosopher argues that hope is a fundamental characteristic of human life. Think about it. Hope looks for the good; discovers what can be done; lights candles; opens doors; sees problems as opportunities; and carries on despite heartaches. Remember Jesus's words: “you will have troubles, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
St. Paul in his letter to the Christian community at Rome speaks about the Spirit of God dwelling within us. We are living temples of God. The Spirit within empowers us to live a life of integrity, courage, compassion and faith.
In the Gospel, Jesus begins with a prayer of praise, and then invites us to enter the triune life of God: “Come to me, all you who find life burdensome and I will refresh you.”
Yes, if we begin to think life is empty, or heavy-laden, Jesus is there to fill our emptiness, to lighten our burdens, whatever they may be.
I’d like to reflect on Jesus as our true wisdom who guides us, brings us good news and provides for us.
First, Jesus gives all the guidance we need. We have the Spirit dwelling within us. We are “led by the Spirit of God.” And God has bestowed the gifts of the Spirit upon us in the life-giving waters of baptism: wisdom, intelligence (to discern what's true), courage (to do what's right), compassion, good judgment, and wonder and awe (to worship the great God of this universe). Yes, Jesus will guide us to our true destiny.
Second, in a world that desperately needs good news, Jesus has provided it. The word “gospel” means “good news” It is about Jesus’s life, death, resurrection. Jesus Christ lives and because he lives, we live, especially through the sacramental life of his global community of disciples, the church. In death there’s life, a glorious future.
The good news of Jesus is dynamically relevant to all generations, cultures and situations. People’s basic needs are the same. The message of the gospel is ever the same. Study the good news. Meditate on the scriptures. Jesus Christ is indeed good news in a broken world that desperately needs it.
Jesus taught us to pray. “Give us this day our daily bread...” Yes, look to Jesus. He provides all we need.
One of my favorite narratives is the story of Elijah. He trusted in God's care for us. When the brook that provided water dried up, God sent Elijah to a widow for food. The point is: when one door closes, God is about to open another door in our life.
The widow replies that she and her son were about to eat their last meal. But Elijah promises that if she is generous, God will provide for her needs. He says, “The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth."
The widow did exactly as Elijah asked. And it turned out exactly so. This woman of great faith was prepared to give all she had. And God supplied her needs. If we give generously, we will discover that we cannot out-give God. God will do amazing things for and through us. This doesn't mean life will be easy. The widow's son died, yet amazingly Elijah was able to give him back, saying, “See, your son is alive!”
Yes, Jesus is indeed our wisdom who guides us, brings us good news and provides for us so that we, with God’s grace, can become the best version of ourselves: with eternal life. We shall be like God and see God face to face.”
