First reading: Zec. 9:9–10
Thus says the LORD: Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass. He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; the warrior’s bow shall be banished, and he shall proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Second reading: Rom. 8:9,11–13
Brothers and sisters: You are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Gospel: Mt. 11:25–30
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 little ones. 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.”
“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.”
In other words
Fr. Simon Boiser, SVD (Berlin, Germany)
In a quiet countryside, a farmer had an old carabao that had served him faithfully for many years, carrying heavy loads across the fields. One day, as they struggled up a steep hill, the carabao suddenly stopped and refused to move. Frustrated and weary, the farmer sat down, overcome with exhaustion and tears. A kind passerby noticed his plight and offered assistance, bringing along his own carabao to help lighten the load. Together, with the strength of two animals, they reached the top of the hill. The farmer realized that burdens shared—whether with others or with God—are lighter and easier to bear.
In our daily lives, we often carry heavy burdens. Like the farmer, we sometimes feel overwhelmed, tempted to carry these alone. Our emotional and social burdens can take many forms, but they all share a common theme of weighing down our hearts and souls. We may struggle with forgiveness, both of others and ourselves. Feeling disconnected from others or being separated from loved ones—whether through distance, conflict, or loss—can create a longing for connection and a sense of emptiness. Conflict in relationships—whether with family, friends or even within ourselves—can cause division and take away our sense of inner peace. Holding on to past mistakes or wrongdoings can create a deep burden. Worrying about the future, facing uncertainty, or dealing with inner doubts can paralyze us spiritually, hindering our trust in God. Striving for material success or pursuing worldly achievements can leave us feeling empty, even when we reach those goals.
Amid these burdens, the teachings of Jesus remind us that we are not alone. He offers us rest and peace, inviting us to lay down our heavy loads and trust His grace. In prayer, we invite God into our struggles, placing them in His hands. Prayer is also a way to listen to His guidance, peace, and re-assurance. When we trust in God’s plan, even under challenging circumstances, we begin to release control and acknowledge that we don’t have to figure everything out on our own, because we often don’t see the bigger picture. The burden we usually carry comes from trying to control situations or outcomes.
Trusting in God means letting go of that need for control and surrendering our desires and expectations. This doesn’t mean being passive but recognizing that God’s ways are higher than ours. Holding on to past hurts or unresolved conflicts can weigh us down. Forgiving others—and ourselves—releases these burdens. It is not always easy, but it is a way of trusting that God will bring justice and healing, freeing us from the weight of anger or resentment.
Today’s readings remind us of a liberating truth: we have a King who is gentle, a Spirit who strengthens, and a Savior who invites us to lay our burdens at His feet. It’s a journey of learning to rely on Him rather than on our strength.