Matthew 11:25-30

Deuteronomy 7:6-11

Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 10

1 John 4:7-16

Matthew 11:25-30

Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus exclaimed:

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for although you have hidden these things

from the wise and the learned

you have revealed them to little ones.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father. 

No one knows the Son except the Father,

and no one knows the Father except the Son

and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am meek and humble of heart;

and you will find rest for yourselves. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, in your faithful love, you chose us to be your own people and revealed your mercy through your beloved Son. Teach us to abide in your love and keep our hearts humble and grateful before you. May we rest always in the tenderness of your providence.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Lord Has Set His Heart on You: In the First Reading, from the Book of Deuteronomy, we hear Moses’ farewell speech to Israel. He recalls everything the Lord, their God, has done for them. There are wonderful expressions of love and tender mercy in this retelling of the covenant relationship between the Lord God and Israel. Moses said: “You are a people sacred to the Lord, your God; he has chosen you from all the nations on the face of the earth to be a people peculiarly his own” (Deut 7:6). The Lord chose Israel and set his heart on them, not because they were the most powerful or largest nation. He chose them because of their smallness. The prideful, rich, and powerful struggle to welcome God. But God can do wondrous things with the meek and humble of heart. The meekness of Israel was exemplified in people like Abraham, Jacob, and Moses. They weren’t perfect, but they allowed the voice of God to enter their hearts, and they responded generously. Moses reminds the people of God’s love for them and his fidelity to his covenant oath. The Lord is God, and he faithfully keeps his merciful covenant (Deut 7:9). The Lord, today, invites us to respond to his love, fidelity, and mercy.

2. I am Meek and Humble of Heart: In the Gospel, Jesus allows us to see how he relates to the Father in prayer. Jesus’s first words are not a complaint about his disciples or the state of the world, but words of praise. He recognizes the reign of his Father over all creation. He praises how the Father reveals himself and his plan to the humble and conceals his mystery to the prideful. We see Jesus do the same through his parables, which both reveal and conceal. The Kingdom and the revelation of its mysteries have been handed over to the Son by his Father. This heavenly Kingdom is unlike the fleeting kingdoms of this passing world. While other kingdoms are founded on power, conquest, money, and pride, the Kingdom of Heaven is founded on merciful love, humility, and service, and offers peace and divine rest to those who enter it.

3. God is Love: The Second Reading proclaims the profound truth of God’s inner mystery. John could have said, “God is power,” and highlighted how God created all things and how all things are subject to him. John could have said, “God is knowledge,” and spoken about how God knows all things. But John was moved to proclaim, “God is love.” God is a communion of three persons who love each other. The Father loves the Son and the Son loves the Father, and their love for one another spirates the Spirit. And we, God’s children, are called to share in that communion of love. The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart invites us not to fear God with a servile fear or to think that we cannot become holy through his grace. It invites us to contemplate the meek and humble heart of Christ, who calls us to share in his divine love. This love can purify our sinful nature, heal it, and bring it to the perfection of charity.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, you invite the weary to find rest in you. Draw us into the fire of your Sacred Heart, that we may learn your meekness and share your love with others. Keep us always in your saving mercy.

Living the Word of God: The Solemnity teaches us that God loves us even before we love him. We need to practice welcoming the love of God and abiding in that love. How can I learn the humility of Christ today? Can I perform hidden acts of service without seeking recognition? Can I be a more attentive listener in conversations today? How can I bring my burdens and weariness to Christ today?