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 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.
- Praise
- Relationship with Jesus
- Letting go of our burdens
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.
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Resources for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
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
St. Jude is the patron saint of hope and of impossible causes. That makes him a good saints for students when they feel overwhelmed by studies and other demands on their time.
Patient Trust Prayer of Teilhard de Chardin
This prayer is about waiting patiently for God. It is especially good for high school students and young adults who are discerning a vocation or possible career. We can be impatient about wanting an answer from God during the discernment process and this prayer is a good way to help trust that God will eventually show us where we are supposed to head.
Homilies and Reflections for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Life in the Spirit
Jeff Cavins reflects on the readings for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A and discusses what it means to have “life in the Spirit.”
Are You Busy Doing the Right Things?
In the spiritual life, it’s difficult to know whether striving to do God’s will or just abiding in him is better. But why can’t we do both? Fr. Mike Schmitz explains.
Zechariah and the New David
From Bishop Robert Barron. 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.
A Yoke for the Childlike
From Scott Hahn. Jesus is portrayed in today’s Gospel as a new and greater Moses. Moses, the meekest man on earth , was God’s friend. Only he knew God “face to face”. Jesus too is meek and humble. But He is more than God’s friend.
More Thoughts for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
During the time of Zechariah, Israel was in turmoil. They had been invaded by a foreign force and exiled. But through the prophet, God promises that a new king will come and restore the kingdom, bringing justice and peace. How hard this must have been to believe during this difficult time!
In the gospel, Jesus promises rest and hope to those carrying heavy burdens. His gentle words tell us that what God asks of us is not beyond our strength. He shares the yoke with us and helps us bear the load.
This makes us realize that when life seems too difficult, we must not rely on our own strength. Instead we must turn to Jesus and ask for help.
Reflection Questions for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- Do I turn to God immediately in difficult times or do I try to rely on myself at first?
- Can I think of a time when I was struggling and the Lord came to my assistance?
- Who needs me to be the hands and feet of Christ today, helping them with their heavy load?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
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