Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day

Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word

Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer

Reflection

• In our society, we tend to regard meekness as weakness. Those who are meek never assert themselves, never get their way, and seem to always end up in last place. But clearly this is not what Zechariah means when he writes that our king would be meek, yet would rule to the ends of the earth. Nor is it what Jesus means when he says, “I am meek and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29). Webster’s defines meek as enduring difficulties with patience and without resentment. This describes Jesus to a T and fulfills Zechariah’s prophecy. Zechariah’s words remind us of Jesus when he entered Jerusalem. There he would endure crucifixion and death—with patience and without resentment. May his example lead us to face our own trials with more patience and with less resentment.

• To make our trials easier to endure, Jesus assures us that his yoke is easy and his burden light. Clearly he is not speaking of what he would be facing himself, for his own yoke was exceedingly difficult and his own burden was uniquely heavy. But because he has endured the cross and grave, we know that he can carry our own burdens, no matter how difficult we may find them. We do not have to carry them alone. We have in Jesus someone who can and will carry any difficulty we have.

• Jesus says something else between speaking of meekness and burdens: “Learn from me” (11:29). Indeed, from him we can learn how he was able to endure every burden he faced with patience and resolve. He did so because he so loved the Father that he was willing to do God’s will, no matter the consequences. He did so because he loved all us sinners so much that he was willing to pay the ultimate cost to save us. May our love of God and love of neighbor give us the strength to assist our needy brothers and sisters in carrying their burdens. May our sharing of their burdens—maybe by offering a helping hand, maybe by lending money or something else that is lacking, maybe by just sitting down to listen—relieve them in some small way, if only to make clear that they are not alone.

Question of the Week