St. Damasus I. Pope 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 40: 25-31

To whom, then, will you liken me or make me equal? says the Holy One.

 Lift up your eyes and see: who has created all this? He has ordered them as a starry host and called them each by name. So mighty is his power, so great his strength,

that not one of them is missing.

 How can you say, O Jacob, how can you complain, O Israel, that your destiny is hidden from me, that your rights are ignored by Yahweh?  Have you not known, have you not heard that Yahweh is an everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth?

He does not grow tired or weary, his knowledge is without limit.  He gives strength to the enfeebled, he gives vigor to the wearied.  Youth may grow tired and faint, young men will stumble and fall,  but those who hope in Yahweh will renew their strength.

They will soar as with eagle’s wings; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and never tire.

 

Ps O bless the Lord my soul! 

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 28-30

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest.  For my yoke is easy; and my burden is light.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

“I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE OF HEART.”

Our readings for today remind us that our God is always here with us, ever present and is never far away, especially in times of trouble and despair.

This is the reality of Christmas: God with us.

In the Gospel, Jesus exemplifies this promise and gives an invitation. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus reaffirms what Isaiah says, that we have a caring and tireless God: “I am gentle and lowly of heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

There are many people today who are bombarded with many trials and difficulties. Perhaps, one of us is experiencing so much troubled spirit. Perhaps, your friend, your brother or sister is heavily burdened now.

Comfort him with the warmth assurance that God is ever present to us. indeed, to whom can we liken our God? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny.