First Reading - Isaiah 40:25-31
Gospel - Matthew 11:28-30
Today’s first reading forms the final part of a great poem on the majesty and wisdom of the Lord, articulated by a series of rhetorical questions to which the poet himself provides the answers. The poem is focused on creation, largely contrasting the Israelite conception with that of the Babylonians. The opening section contrasts the wisdom of the Lord with the need of the Babylonian chief creator-god to consult with the god of wisdom. The second section contrasts the God of Israel who fashioned and spread out the universe with the Babylonian gods which are themselves created by craftsmen. The third and present section challenges Jacob, Israel and the audience to name another such source of enduring strength which gives power to the feeble and new strength to the weary. The LORD is no local or temporary god, for his power extends over all ages; he is an eternal God, who created the remotest parts of the earth.
The gospel of the day refelcts the wisdom of God in the invitation of Jesus. Jesus invites people to carry his yoke. In Judaism the ‘yoke’ often refers to the Law, a burden which must be borne, like the yoke which oxen bear, pressing on their neck and shoulders. It is tempting to see a contrast between the light yoke which Jesus offers and the heavy yoke of the exact and burdensome observance of the Law due to burdensome addition to the law which was suppressing rather than liberating. However, it was not designed so from the beginning for the obedience to the Law was always a joy, since the Law is a revelation of God’s nature and of God’s will for human beings, so that it is a joyful privilege to respond.
It is better, then, to look beyond the idea of the yoke of the Law to the tradition of Wisdom, for in the Old Testament personified Wisdom is always standing in her doorway to invite people to her banquet of rich food and fine wines (Wisdom 2.20-33), and to take on her yoke (e.g. Ben Sira 51.26, ‘put your necks under her yoke’). This fits also the address of the invitation of Jesus to the poor who labour and are overburdened, for the invitation of Wisdom is addressed not to the learned but to those who are humble and open-minded to accept his teaching.
Dear friends, wisdom of God is reflected in the universe and His strength in the feeble and weary. The feeble and weary are open to accept the wisdom of God. That's the reason the strength and wisdom of God ( which is Jesus himself and his teachings) find place in them. We can be counted learned and wise based on the qualifications or credentials but if we are not open to the ways of God, our wisdom may be merely worldly and short-lived. May God's wisdom find place in us.
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