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Message of the Day
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Truly, matters in the world are in a bad state; but if you and I begin in earnest to reform ourselves, a really good beginning will have been made.
- St. Peter of Alcantara
(And as Gandhi put it, "be the change you want to see." What might you do today to move in that direction?)
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Readings of the Day
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Is 10:5-7, 13b-16; Ps 94:5-10, 14-15
Mt 11:25-27
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 the childlike.
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.”
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“Take My yoke upon your shoulders and learn from Me.” —Matthew 11:29
The law of the old covenant was compared to a yoke (Sir 6:25). The yoke was
heavy. It was comprised of 613 commandments. Every one of these commandments had to be obeyed, or the offender would be punished — sometimes with capital punishment. “Whoever falls into sin on one point of the law, even though he keeps the entire remainder, has become guilty on all counts” (Jas 2:10). Because of the nature of the law and because of our fallen human nature, “all who depend on observance of the law...are under a curse” (Gal 3:10).
Jesus promised rest to those wearied and burdened from living under the law (Mt 11:28). He gives us another yoke, which is easy and light (Mt 11:29-30). However, this does not mean that He abolished the law (Mt 5:17). He promised: “Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter of the law, not the smallest part of a letter, shall be done away with until it all comes true” (Mt 5:18). Jesus fulfills the law (Mt 5:17). He has much higher standards than the old law
on relationships, sexual morality, marriage, speech, justice, and love (Mt 5:20-47). Jesus added hundreds of stricter commandments to the 613 burdensome laws of the old covenant. Jesus commands: “You must be made perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). Jesus sets the highest standards ever set. How can Jesus’ super-heavy yoke be easy and light? It is light because He does not expect us to observe the law and carry His yoke by
our willpower, but by His grace. Do the impossible. By Jesus’ grace, take His yoke on your shoulders. Prayer: Father, I accept salvation by grace (Eph 2:8). Promise: “O Lord, You mete out peace to us, for it is You Who have accomplished all we have done.” —Is 26:12 Presentation Ministries
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Spiritual Reading
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Readings from Jesus Alive in Our Lives, by Philip St. Romain. Ave Maria Press, 1985. Contemplative Ministries, Inc. 2011. Part Three, Gift of the Spirit Chapter 6: The Gift of Tongues
(Glossalalia) - Selected quotes
My concern in this chapter is with the third kind of tongue-speaking: prayer language. From my own experience (since 1973), I am convinced of the value of this type of prayer. The impulse for it seems to come from the Holy Spirit through unconscious dimensions of the psyche.
Its consequences are inner peace, healing of emotions, and awakening the soul to the presence of God. It is also a natural bridge between active, mental prayer and quiet, contemplative prayer. Obviously, there are many Christians who could benefit from growth in these fruits.
I find this gift suggesting itself all through the day. Giving expression to it is possible under one’s breath, but doing so aloud at times as
when driving somewhere (preferably alone—unless with an understanding passenger) is also good. The mysterious syllables and their rhythms seem to awaken the mind and heart, and bring balance and wholeness to one’s life. Through this gift, the Holy Spirit ministers to us all through the day, keeping us centered and protecting us from dark influences. It seems as though the Spirit regulates one’s breath and vibrates the inner energy centers through the medium of these sounds and
syllables. It also often happens that after a time of praying in tongues, new insights come into the mind, and deep appreciations of God’s presence in one’s life.
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