Resources, Prayers, Games, and Lesson Plans
More Thoughts and Reflection Questions
Quotes and Social Media Graphics
Mass Readings for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- First Reading - Zechariah 9:9-10: A prophecy about the coming of a king to Jerusalem, who will be just and victorious, but also humble and riding on a donkey. The passage declares that this king will bring peace to the nations and rule over them, and his dominion will extend from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth.
- Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 145: a psalm that praises and blesses the Lord, declaring his graciousness, mercy, and kindness towards all his works. The author encourages all faithful ones to give thanks to the Lord and speak of his glory and might, emphasizing that the Lord is faithful in his words and lifts up all who are falling.
- Second Reading - Romans 8:9, 11-13: Those who have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within them belong to him and will have life. The passage urges believers to live according to the Spirit and put to death the deeds of the flesh, for those who live according to the flesh will not inherit eternal life.
- Gospel - Matthew 11:25-30: Jesus thanks God for revealing the truth of his teachings to the humble and childlike, rather than to the wise and learned. He invites those who are burdened and weary to come to him and take up his yoke, promising that they will find rest for their souls, for his yoke is easy and his burden light.
Themes for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The readings for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A encourage us to praise God for all of the blessings in our lives. The first reading is a song of praise for the coming Kingdom of God. The second reading tells us to live by the Spirit, for the Spirit will bring life to our mortal bodies through Christ Jesus. And in the gospel, Jesus praises the Father and then invites us to follow him, for he helps us when we are stressed and overwhelmed.
- Revelation to the Childlike: Jesus praises the Father for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to those who approach God with childlike simplicity and humility, highlighting the importance of having a receptive and humble heart.
- Divine Wisdom and Knowledge: Jesus acknowledges that true wisdom and knowledge come from the Father and are revealed to those whom He chooses, emphasizing the dependence on God's revelation for understanding spiritual truths.
- Invitation to Find Rest: Jesus extends an invitation to all who are burdened and weary to come to Him for rest, offering solace and relief to those who seek refuge in Him.
- Gentle and Humble Heart: Jesus describes Himself as gentle and humble in heart, portraying His compassionate and approachable nature that provides comfort and support to those who come to Him.
- Learning from Jesus: Jesus invites His disciples to take His yoke upon themselves and learn from Him, illustrating the importance of being His student, growing in knowledge, and finding guidance and rest in Him.
- Easy Yoke and Light Burden: Jesus assures His followers that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, suggesting that the path of discipleship with Him is not burdensome but rather filled with grace and empowerment.
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.
Resources for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
A Student’s Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus
Resources for the Book of Zechariah
Paul’s Letter to the Romans: Faith, Grace, and Righteousness
Carrying Burdens Relay Race
This game aligns with the gospel for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A , where Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him. Through the physical experience of carrying burdens in the game, participants can relate to the struggles of life and understand the importance of relying on Jesus for strength and comfort, reinforcing the message of finding rest in Him.
God Sustains Us
We know God sustains us and cares for us. This is a prayer based on Psalm 145, which is the responsorial psalm for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. This prayer expresses praise to God for the way he watches over us.
A Student’s Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus
As the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A calls us to find rest in Jesus, we can turn to St. Jude, the patron saint of hope and impossible causes, especially during moments when students feel overwhelmed by their studies and various time constraints, seeking his intercession and guidance.
Resources for the Book of Zechariah
The first reading for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is taken from the Book of Zechariah, specifically Zechariah 9:9-10. This passage prophesies the coming of a humble king riding on a donkey, who will bring peace and rule over the nations. See background information on this prophetic book.
Paul’s Letter to the Romans: Faith, Grace, and Righteousness
The Second Reading for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is Romans 8:9, 11-13. This passage asserts that those with the Spirit of Christ belong to Him and will have life. It calls believers to live by the Spirit, putting aside fleshly deeds, as such actions lead away from eternal life. Applying Romans to life involves understanding human nature and divine grace's tension. It prompts moral living, unity, and compassion. The letter guides active faith, relying on God's mercy while striving for righteous living. For more background on the epistle, refer here.
Resources for the Gospel of Matthew
By exploring different resources and reflections on the Gospel of Matthew, we can better understand the message for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. Commentaries, study guides, and devotional materials help us learn about being humble and accepting Jesus' guidance. These resources allow us to grow in our faith and apply the lessons from Matthew's Gospel to our own lives.
Homilies and Reflections for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Living in the Spirit: Embracing Jesus' Yoke (Jeff Cavins)
Are You Busy Doing the Right Things? (Fr. Mike Schmitz)
In Jeff Cavins' reflection for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, the focus is on living in the spirit and following Jesus. By embracing His worldview, taking His yoke upon ourselves, and walking in obedience to His teachings, we can find true rest, guidance, and freedom, shaping our attitudes, relationships, and actions accordingly. This reflection encourages a transformative shift towards actively living according to Jesus' will, leading to a life filled with the spirit and true fulfillment.
Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the balance between striving and abiding, offering insights on finding rest and clarity in life. By seeking a clear vision and discerning God's guidance, individuals can navigate their actions with intentionality, aligning their pursuits with a definitive purpose. This reflection aligns with the gospel for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, emphasizing the intertwining of striving and abiding as individuals pursue what is truly important, finding fulfillment in God's will.
Zechariah and the New David
A homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A from Bishop Robert Barron. "Our first reading for this weekend is derived from the ninth chapter of the book of the prophet Zechariah, one of the twelve so-called minor prophets of the Old Testament. The background for the prophecy contained here is that Israel saw itself as the specially chosen people of God, whose mission was to bring the light of the Lord to all the nations of the world. At the time of David, this ambition seemed more realistic, but things fell rather quickly apart. And yet, oddly, they continued to hope. God would cause Israel to fulfill its destiny, precisely by raising up a king like David."
A Yoke for the Childlike
A reflection for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A from Scott Hahn. In today's Gospel, Jesus is portrayed as a new and greater Moses. While Moses was God's friend and law-giver, Jesus goes beyond that. He is the Son who intimately knows the Father, revealing Himself as the yoke of a new Law and the embodiment of God's Wisdom. Jesus imparts this wisdom to those who approach Him with childlike humility, enabling them to recognize Him as the promised Savior and meek King. As members of the Church, we are called to live by the Spirit, putting to death our old ways and embracing the new law of love.
More Thoughts for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Hope in the Midst of Turmoil
In the midst of turmoil and adversity, the readings for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A bring us a message of hope, trust, and reliance on God's strength. The prophet Zechariah speaks of a future king who will come to restore the kingdom, bringing justice and peace.
The promise of a new beginning and the restoration of their homeland must have been difficult to believe in the face of despair and uncertainty. Yet, through Zechariah's words, God's promise shines as a beacon of hope, reminding the people that even in the darkest moments, God remains faithful and has a plan for their restoration.
Finding Solace in Jesus
In the Gospel for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Jesus invites us to find rest and solace in Him. He acknowledges the burdens we carry, the struggles we face, and He offers to share our yoke, to lighten our load. Jesus assures us that the demands of God are not beyond our strength. He invites us to turn to Him, to place our trust in Him, and to seek His help when life becomes overwhelming.
This message is profoundly relevant in our own lives. We too encounter moments when we feel overwhelmed, burdened by the challenges and trials that come our way. We may face personal struggles, societal unrest, or the weight of expectations and responsibilities. In those moments, it is easy to rely solely on our own strength, to become consumed by worry and doubt.
Relying on Jesus in Difficult Times
But the readings remind us that we are not alone. Just as God promised a new king in Zechariah's time, He has given us Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, who offers us His love, mercy, and companionship. Jesus understands our burdens because He carried the weight of the world upon His own shoulders. He beckons us to come to Him, to surrender our anxieties, and to find solace in His gentle and compassionate presence.
Turning to Jesus in our times of need requires humility, faith, and a willingness to let go of our self-reliance. It means acknowledging that we cannot navigate life's challenges alone and that we need the help of our loving Savior. It involves surrendering our burdens and allowing Him to guide us along the path of righteousness, justice, and peace.
As we reflect on these readings for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, let us take comfort in the knowledge that God's promises endure, even in the most difficult of times. Let us trust in Jesus, who offers us rest for our weary souls and shoulders the weight of our burdens. May we seek His guidance, His strength, and His love in all aspects of our lives, knowing that with Him by our side, we can face any trial or tribulation. Let us turn to Him and say, "Lord Jesus, help me. I surrender my burdens to You. Grant me the grace to find rest and hope in Your loving embrace."
Reflection Questions for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- Should I turn to God immediately when I face difficult times, or should I try to rely on myself first?
- Am I more inclined to depend solely on my own strength and abilities, or do I seek God's guidance and assistance from the beginning?
- Can I recall a time when I was struggling, and the Lord came to my assistance? How did I experience the presence and help of the Lord during that time?
- Who in my life needs me to be the hands and feet of Christ today, helping them with their heavy load? How can I extend the love, compassion, and assistance of Christ to them?
- In what ways can I deepen my trust and reliance on God's strength? How can I cultivate a deeper trust and reliance on God's strength in my daily life?
- Are there areas where I tend to rely more on myself than on God? How can I invite Jesus to share my yoke and lighten my burdens?
- How can I actively seek rest and renewal in Jesus? Am I intentional about seeking solace in Jesus and surrendering my burdens to Him?
- How can I prioritize finding rest and hope in Jesus' presence, trusting that He will provide the strength and guidance I need?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
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