Our Heritage of Humble Help

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on our vision of a “messiah” and the path we may be invited to follow to receive what we desire.

Humble Heritage

The Reading from the Prophet Zechariah presents a humble figure to restore Israel.

* [9:9–10] These two verses form the centerpiece of chap. 9. The restoration of a royal figure connects the first part of the chapter (vv. 1–8), which depicts the restored land of Israel, with the second part (vv. 11–17), which concerns the restoration of the people Israel.

* [9:9] Your king: a just savior, a figure of humble demeanor, but riding on a donkey like royalty in the ancient Near East (Gn 49:11; Jgs 5:10; 10:4). The announcement of the coming of such a king marks a departure from the view of the royal figure as a conquering warrior. This depiction is in keeping with the tone of First Zechariah (3:8; 4:6–10; 6:12) but contrasts with Haggai (2:20–23). New Testament authors apply this prophecy to Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21:4–5; Jn 12:14–15).

* [9:10] The River: probably the Euphrates; see note on Ps 72:8. (Zechariah, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 145 proclaims God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship.

* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Reading from the Letter to the Romans, Paul concludes Christian life is therefore the experience of a constant challenge to put to death the evil deeds of the body through life of the spirit.

* [8:1–13] After his warning in Rom 7 against the wrong route to fulfillment of the objective of holiness expressed in Rom 6:22, Paul points his addressees to the correct way. Through the redemptive work of Christ, Christians have been liberated from the terrible forces of sin and death. Holiness was impossible so long as the flesh (or our “old self”), that is, self-interested hostility toward God (Rom 8:7), frustrated the divine objectives expressed in the law. What is worse, sin used the law to break forth into all manner of lawlessness (Rom 8:8). All this is now changed. At the cross God broke the power of sin and pronounced sentence on it (Rom 8:3). Christians still retain the flesh, but it is alien to their new being, which is life in the spirit, namely the new self, governed by the holy Spirit. Under the direction of the holy Spirit Christians are able to fulfill the divine will that formerly found expression in the law (Rom 8:4). The same Spirit who enlivens Christians for holiness will also resurrect their bodies at the last day (Rom 8:11). Christian life is therefore the experience of a constant challenge to put to death the evil deeds of the body through life of the spirit (Rom 8:13). (Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew proclaims Praise of the Father and describes The Gentle Mastery of Christ.

* [11:25–27] This Q saying, identical with Lk 10:21–22 except for minor variations, introduces a joyous note into this section, so dominated by the theme of unbelief. While the wise and the learned, the scribes and Pharisees, have rejected Jesus’ preaching and the significance of his mighty deeds, the childlike have accepted them. Acceptance depends upon the Father’s revelation, but this is granted to those who are open to receive it and refused to the arrogant. Jesus can speak of all mysteries because he is the Son and there is perfect reciprocity of knowledge between him and the Father; what has been handed over to him is revealed only to those whom he wishes.

* [11:28–29] These verses are peculiar to Matthew and are similar to Ben Sirach’s invitation to learn wisdom and submit to her yoke (Sir 51:23, 26).

* [11:28] Who labor and are burdened: burdened by the law as expounded by the scribes and Pharisees (Mt 23:4).

* [11:29] In place of the yoke of the law, complicated by scribal interpretation, Jesus invites the burdened to take the yoke of obedience to his word, under which they will find rest; cf. Jer 6:16. (Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Larry Gillick, SJ, comments that religion is a burden of “have-tos” and “ought-tos” if spirituality does not free us. Legal conformity without a sense of the common good, tends toward resistance and resentment. The ways and teachings of Jesus are invitations to freedom.

 

Yes, invitations are central is the personality of Jesus and how we allow Him to personally relate to and within us. Who He is to and for us is central to our responding to His urgings and invitations. He desires to take off His badge of authority and replace it with His gentle countenance and life-affirming winks. This is the tension, do we want a pharisee-sheriff or a Gentle Presence abiding. He does see all that the Pharisees saw, but with gentle professorial glasses. (Gillick, 2026)

In a connection to the MacPherson heritage, James and John McPherson were privates, perhaps unwilling conscripts, in the 82nd Regiment ,raised in 1778, to combat the Rebels in the 13 Colonies who chose to accept a plot of land in Nova Scotia, where the invitation to become the 14th Colony had been rejected, rather than return to Scotland.

Historically, remember, there were many Loyalists in those times of early dependence that fought against separation from England. They wanted the older and more conventional ways. So there were many followers of Jesus who grew frightened of trusting Jesus and His new ways. This year, the Fifth of July can be a new freedom Day as we receive the Word and the Eucharist as His way of loving and living more His Gentleness of Heart within us. (Gillick, 2026)

Learn from Me and You Will Find Rest for Your Soul

Don Schwager quotes “The grace of Christ bears us up,” from an anonymous early Christian teacher.

"'My yoke is easy and my burden light'... The prophet says this about the burden of sinners: 'Because my iniquities lie on top of my head, so they have also placed a heavy burden on me' (Psalm 38:4)... 'Place my yoke upon you, and learn from me that I am gentle and humble of heart.' Oh, what a very pleasing weight that strengthens even more those who carry it! For the weight of earthly masters gradually destroys the strength of their servants, but the weight of Christ rather helps the one who bears it, because we do not bear grace; grace bears us. It is not for us to help grace, but rather grace has been given to aid us." (excerpt from the INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 29: PG 56:780) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 11:25-30 comments that when Jesus told his disciples to take his yoke upon them, they would have understood what he meant: “Take up my teaching. Immerse yourself in my words. Let what I have taught you become your highest priority and greatest treasure.” They would have also known why he said that his yoke is “easy” and his burden is “light”: anyone who takes up his yoke will find relief and “rest” from their other concerns and burdens (Matthew 11:30, 28).

We often think of a yoke as a burden: a heavy instrument that weighs us down and restricts our movement. We might even think this way about the practice of pondering Jesus’ teachings. But he promises the exact opposite: dwelling on his words in Scripture raises our hearts and minds to heaven. It opens us up to the presence of his Spirit, who wants to heal our wounds, strengthen our wills, and shape our desires. It helps us to understand that the life he calls us to is a joy and a privilege.

Jesus is a shepherd who wants only what is the best for us. His words are filled with wisdom and guidance. They have the power to shape our hearts and minds after his own image. So let’s study them. Let’s contemplate them. Let’s invite his Spirit into our hearts so that his yoke becomes easier and his burden lighter every day.

“Jesus, thank you for teaching me the way I should go!” (Meditation on Matthew 11:25-30, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Zechariah, written rather late in the Hebrew Testament, the hero is riding on a donkey indicating the Messiah would be meek and vulnerable. This is fulfilled during Jesus' entry into Jerusalem at Easter. Paul contrasts “sarx", our concupiscence in a different manner than John who understands our material nature as a more negative opposition to the Spirit.  We have to live according to the Spirit.  In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus thanks the Father for mysteries revealed to the simple contrary to our assumption, at times, that theologians know better, but those who believe without analytic proof are like a child who will trust without extensive explanation. We should remember that when Jesus implores us to “Take my yoke” it refers to a yoke carved for two oxen not one. The custom fit was to that particular ox. If we try to plow on our own we do not make straight furrows. Friar Jude reminds us that our burdens are the Way we collaborate with Christ.

A Surprising Teaching

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC teacher Brian McLaren who sets the scene for comments in the Daily Meditations that will reflect on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–16), Jesus’s core teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. 

Jesus begins in a fascinating way. He uses the term blessed to address the question of identity, the question of who we want to be. In Jesus’s day, to say, “Blessed are these people” is to say “Pay attention: these are the people you should aspire to be like….” It’s the opposite of saying “Woe to those people” or “Cursed are those people,” which means, “Take note: you definitely don’t want to be like those people….” His words no doubt surprise everyone, because we normally play by these rules of the game:

• Do everything you can to be rich and powerful.
• Toughen up and harden yourself against all feelings of loss.
• Measure your success by how much of the time you are thinking only of yourself and your own happiness.
• Be independent and aggressive, hungry and thirsty for higher status in the social pecking order.
• Strike back quickly when others strike you, and guard your image so you’ll always be popular.

But Jesus defines success and well-being in a profoundly different way…. He advocates an identity characterized by solidarity, sensitivity, and nonviolence. He celebrates those who long for justice, embody compassion, and manifest integrity and nonduplicity. He creates a new kind of hero: not warriors, corporate executives, or politicians, but brave and determined activists for preemptive peace, willing to suffer with him in the prophetic tradition of justice… (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the position of Jesus as a humble teacher who invites us to learn the fullness of life in a custom partnership that He refers to as a yoke and presents a Way for life that is true and meaningful.

References

Gillick, L. (2026, July 5). Daily Reflection July 5, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 5, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-5-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?25 

Meditation on Matthew 11:25-30. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 5, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/05/1608800/ 

Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Surprising Teaching. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 5, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8? 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Learn from Me and You Will Find Rest for Your Soul. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 5, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Zechariah, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/zechariah/9?9 

Open to Patience and Awe

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to openness to awe as we contemplate the action of God in our journey.

By Our Side

The Reading from the Book of Judges proclaims The Birth of Samson.

* [13:2] The clan of the Danites: before the migration described in chap. 18 the tribe of Dan occupied a small territory west of Benjamin, adjacent to the Philistine plain; see note on 3:3.

* [13:5] A nazirite for God: according to the rules for nazirites set forth in Nm 6:2–8, Samson’s vows would have obliged him to abstain from wine and other products of the vine and to keep his hair uncut. As the story that follows shows, the last requirement proved especially fateful in Samson’s life. (Judges, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 71 celebrates hope learned from a lifetime’s experience of God.

* [Psalm 71] A lament of an old person (Ps 71:9, 18) whose afflictions are interpreted by enemies as a divine judgment (Ps 71:11). The first part of the Psalm pleads for help (Ps 71:1–4) on the basis of a hope learned from a lifetime’s experience of God; the second part describes the menace (Ps 71:9–13) yet remains buoyant (Ps 71:14–16); the third develops the theme of hope and praise. (Psalms, PSALM 71 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims the announcement of the Birth of John the Baptist.

* [1:5] In the days of Herod, King of Judea: Luke relates the story of salvation history to events in contemporary world history. Here and in Lk 3:1–2 he connects his narrative with events in Palestinian history; in Lk 2:1–2 and Lk 3:1 he casts the Jesus story in the light of events of Roman history. Herod the Great, the son of the Idumean Antipater, was declared “King of Judea” by the Roman Senate in 40 B.C., but became the undisputed ruler of Palestine only in 37 B.C. He continued as king until his death in 4 B.C. Priestly division of Abijah: a reference to the eighth of the twenty-four divisions of priests who, for a week at a time, twice a year, served in the Jerusalem temple.

* [1:7] They had no child: though childlessness was looked upon in contemporaneous Judaism as a curse or punishment for sin, it is intended here to present Elizabeth in a situation similar to that of some of the great mothers of important Old Testament figures: Sarah (Gn 15:3; 16:1); Rebekah (Gn 25:21); Rachel (Gn 29:31; 30:1); the mother of Samson and wife of Manoah (Jgs 13:2–3); Hannah (1 Sm 1:2).

* [1:13] Do not be afraid: a stereotyped Old Testament phrase spoken to reassure the recipient of a heavenly vision (Gn 15:1; Jos 1:9; Dn 10:12, 19 and elsewhere in Lk 1:30; 2:10). You shall name him John: the name means “Yahweh has shown favor,” an indication of John’s role in salvation history.

* [1:15] He will drink neither wine nor strong drink: like Samson (Jgs 13:4–5) and Samuel (1 Sm 1:11 LXX and 4QSama), John is to be consecrated by Nazirite vow and set apart for the Lord’s service.

* [1:17] He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah: John is to be the messenger sent before Yahweh, as described in Mal 3:1–2. He is cast, moreover, in the role of the Old Testament fiery reformer, the prophet Elijah, who according to Mal 3:23 (Mal 4:5) is sent before “the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.”

* [1:19] I am Gabriel: “the angel of the Lord” is identified as Gabriel, the angel who in Dn 9:20–25 announces the seventy weeks of years and the coming of an anointed one, a prince. By alluding to Old Testament themes in Lk 1:17, 19 such as the coming of the day of the Lord and the dawning of the messianic era, Luke is presenting his interpretation of the significance of the births of John and Jesus.

* [1:20] You will be speechless and unable to talk: Zechariah’s becoming mute is the sign given in response to his question in v. 18. When Mary asks a similar question in Lk 1:34, unlike Zechariah who was punished for his doubt, she, in spite of her doubt, is praised and reassured (Lk 1:35–37). (Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Laura Roost comments how Revolution of the Heart: The Dorothy Day Story shows ways a life’s paths and a life’s waiting seem disconnected but later can be seen to hold to God’s plan in ways unexpected by Dorothy Day herself – as is so often the case for each of us. Dorothy Day moving to Chicago during the time in her life when she was learning to love reading, and specifically reading Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle while observing Chicago’s workers may have seemed random coincidence but later can be seen as a part of her faith path, especially in later living out the Two Feet of Love in Action: charitable works and social justice [a call for all of us created by love, for love, and to love]. Similarly, her Feast of the Immaculate Conception prayer for a path forward and two days later being introduced to Peter Maurin, who was able to share Church teachings on social justice, led to the creation of The Catholic Worker. The way she was able to connect these events in an always growing prayer life shows us also the importance of growth, of waiting for growth in trust, and in listening to God to guide our action gives us deeper ways to continue sitting in this time of waiting in the already and not yet of Advent.

May we pray to love our unexpected God of refuge more dearly, to grow in love for others and remember how they, too, are personally loved by our immense God, and may we ask for the courage to trust in God rather than in ourselves – including trusting in God’s timing and teaching while seeking God’s will as we live out our own two feet of love in action in a way that responds to and partners with our God in depending relationship as we let go of our attempts to limit God through our control. (Roost, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Born for prophecy - murdered for truth,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD).

"I do not know what is the most important thing that we should preach - that he [John the Baptist] was wonderfully born or more wonderfully slain - for he was born as a prophecy and murdered for truth. By his birth he announced the coming of the Savior, and by his death he condemned the incest of Herod (Matthew 14:3-12). This holy and righteous man, who was born in an uncommon way as the result of a promise, merited from God that he should depart this world by an uncommon death - that he should by confessing the Lord lay aside his body, which he had received as a gift from the Lord. Therefore John did everything by the will of God, since he was born and died for the sake of God's work." (excerpt from SERMON 5.1-.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 1:5-25 comments that “Why not now?” or “Why not me?” can be a constant refrain in our dialogue with the Lord. Perhaps we have given up hope that our situation will ever change, and we doubt that God will ever fulfill the desires of our heart.

The saying goes, “If you want to grow in patience, God will give you an opportunity to practice it.” So today, try to practice waiting with hope and anticipation, not only for what you want to receive from God, but also waiting for God himself, who will be born for you in Bethlehem.

“Jesus, Savior of the world, teach me to wait in hopeful anticipation.” (Meditation on Luke 1:5-25, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Judges presents the story of the annunciation made about the birth of a Nazarite, dedicated to the Lord, named as Samson. In the Gospel, Luke presents the annunciation story for John the Baptist. Luke cites the Kings and leaders of the time as would be known by good citizens. Zechariah is frightened by the unusual vision informing him of a child to be named John, “God is merciful”, and who will be a Nazarite. The angel confirms his prayers have been answered. Friar Jude comments that because Zechariah is not fully believing the power of his prayer, he is to be silent to contemplate the mystery until his son is born.

Fr. Mike Schmitz is joined by renowned Catholic Bible expert Jeff Cavins, to talk about The Great Adventure Bible Timeline, their personal experiences with the Bible, and what it means to live life through the lens of Scripture.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, insists we thrive when we understand our rightful place in the cosmic order. Fr. Richard introduces Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–1972), who is known for his prophetic work for justice, also modeled a commitment to “radical amazement”.

Awe is an intuition for the dignity of all things, a realization that things not only are what they are but also stand, however remotely, for something supreme. Awe is a sense for the … mystery beyond all things. It enables us … to sense in small things the beginning of infinite significance, to sense the ultimate in the common and the simple; to feel in the rush of the passing the stillness of the eternal. What we cannot comprehend by analysis, we become aware of in awe. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the consolation of the Spirit when we are losing patience with the timeframe in God’s plan.

References

Judges, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/judges/13?2 

Luke, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?5 

Meditation on Luke 1:5-25. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 19, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/18/1447443/ 

Psalms, PSALM 71 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/71?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 19, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/rightful-and-radical-amazement/ 

Roost, L. (2025, December 19). Daily Reflection December 19, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved December 19, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-19-2025 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Many Will Rejoice at His Birth. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 19, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/