FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY
TIME YEAR A
Zechariah 9:9-10, Psalm
144:1-2,8-11,13-14, Romans 8:9,11-13, Matthew 11:25-30
One of the Marks of a true
prophet is the fact that he may not fully understand his own prophecy. He
utters what he has been inspired to say.
Zechariah is a post-exilic prophet. When the people of Israel returned
from exile and they saw the city in ruins and did not know how to start to
rebuild the city ravaged by war, he told them that God would in due time send
them a king from the line of David who will restore peace to the people.
Zachariah did not know who this king would be, but many years later, Jesus
fulfilled this prophecy.
On palm Sunday which begins Holy
week, the gospel reading tells us of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
The reading quotes part of the first reading of today where we have the
prophecy of Zachariah. Jesus is the promised king from the line of David.
The Jews have long suffered from
their neighbouring nations, and when they heard that a king in the line of
David was coming, they thought Jesus would be a powerful and ruthless king, who
will take them to war to defeat their
political enemies. They could not believe their eyes when Jesus came and
started preaching peace, forgiveness and mercy.
The use of the word donkey, colt
and ass is very significant. When kings were going to war, they used donkeys
because of its power and strength to travel long distance without getting
tired, but when they were on a peaceful, harmless and pleasurable trip, they
used a colt or an ass. This was the way Jesus entered Jerusalem as a king on
palm Sunday. Jesus therefore presented himself as a peaceful king.
As Christians, we should always
bear in mind that war is not always the best way to win battles. Many battles
are won in a peaceful manner. This is why St Paul tells us in the second
reading of today, that there is no need to take interest and fight over things
that are not spiritual. This is because, if we have the same Spirit as that of
Jesus, we will also live peaceful lives, knowing that most battles in life are
not physical but spiritual.
In the gospel reading, Jesus
himself tells us that God has revealed the mystery of the kingdom to children
instead of those who think they are powerful and wise. The secret of the
kingdom is peace and tranquility which we see in children and the lowly,
instead of war and chaos. Jesus therefore tells us to learn from him when we
are burdened. According to him, "come to me, all you who labour and are
overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for
I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls".
Jesus had many reasons and various opportunities to wage war against the
soldiers, the pharisees and all those who wronged him, but he remained calm and
gentle.
To be calm and make peace when
people wrong you instead of making war and creating trouble, is not a sign of
weakness, but of one who knows what it means to be a Christian, and one who
understands the secret of the kingdom of God. May God help us to remain calm
and steadfast in the midst of turbulent times. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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