Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection December 11, 2024
Second Week of Advent
11th December 2024 (Wednesday)
Psalter: Week 2
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Isaiah 40:25-31
To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10 (R. 1a)
R/. O bless the Lord, my soul!
Gospel Acclamation
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
Jesus said to the crowds: “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.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Wednesday – Second Week of Advent
Guidelines: Stress and strain are common to all. No one is exempted from them. But when we surrender them to God, we will find them bearable and find a new vigour to move ahead
1. No doubt that the world is under heavy loads, in the form of worry and misery. Many feel pressed under the burden and labour of life. Many feel restless and exhausted. It is in this context, Jesus invites, “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. These words are really comforting and reinforcing.
2. Normally we see many who do not feel concerned at all for others. They evade listening to others. They do not have even a word of assurance or comfort. They do nothing to alleviate their pain. In such an indifferent culture, the concern and magnanimity of God toward us is something highly praiseworthy and imitable.
3. Jesus says, “Come to me, and I will give you rest”. From this, two fundamental things are clear: one is, rest is very important in life and it is very much lacking as well. Second is, it is only in coming to Jesus, one will experience the rest.
4. Rest is not only relaxation or pause from work. Real rest is to be free from needless worry and tension and enjoy the serenity of life. Words of Jesus make it clear that rest is not equal to laziness or evasion of duty. Rest is more a matter of attitude and approach.
5. It is to be balanced and composed even amidst all the burdens. It is to nurture and carry a calm and serene frame of mind. In the thought of St Francis de Sales, rest is holy equanimity. Real rest is a spiritual strength. Hence Jesus’ words, “You will find rest for your souls”.
6. In that sense, to be restful means not to feel exhausted but be ever renewed in strength. It is because strength and energy come from the Lord. That is why we hear in the first reading from Isaiah:
7. “He gives power to the faint and strength to those without might”. “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall run but not be weary. They shall walk but not faint”.
8. To experience such rest, what has to be done? Take the yoke of the Lord and carry it with gentleness and humility. Yoke is anything and everything, big or small that lays a holy burden upon us. To carry the yoke means to carry God’s commandments. They are not crushing burdens but liberating experiences.
Practice: The yoke of dutifulness and faithfulness is always put upon us. But it is not a burden that makes our life burdensome. It is a positive transformer that makes our burdens of life light and easy
