2nd Week of Advent
13th December 2023 (Wednesday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 2
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 40:25-31
To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10 (R. 1a)
R/. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Matthew 11:28-30
At that time: Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Highlight: Why carry burdens?
Guidlines: In a life of stress and strain, the best and lasting relaxation is found not in passing gratifications and shallow pleasures but only with the Lord and in learning from him and becoming like him{alertSuccess}
1. The world of today more than ever seems to be devoured by the monsters of stress and worry. Tiredness and exhaustion have become the trademark of modern man, without any exception. It is not necessarily the physical but rather the mental.
2. Everyone seems to be under some weight and often feels life to be burdensome. The fact is everyone is busy and busy all the time, but many times many really do not know what they are busy with and why they are busy.
3. It is in such a context and moments, that the words of Jesus, “Come unto me all those who are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest” are very consoling and elevating. But what is interesting is: he is promising rest, not in inaction, not in idling, not in discarding all work and duty. It is a positive struggle, a productive pain.
4. Rather, we will feel light and relaxed, by taking up his yoke, his burden. It is his gentleness and humility, which are certainly burdens in the sight of the world. To the extent we learn and grow to be gentle and humble, we will be light-hearted and spirited, despite all the exhausting burdens that beset us.
Practice: Let us refrain from exhausting ourselves in unworthy pursuits. Let us rein our frenetic lives and steal some serene moments at the Lord’s feet. Let us experience life as light and pleasant by learning to be gentle and humble.{alertSuccess}