First Reading
Zechariah 9:9-10

1. What ideas do you associate with the word king? Is “meek king” an oxymoron? What do you associate with the word, meekness? Could it be a strength? Could it end wars, help solve the climate crises, put and end to racial discrimination?

2. How approachable are you? Do humility and meekness have any bearing on a person’s approachability? When did Jesus enter the city “riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”?

Second Reading
Romans 8:9, 11-13

1. At the Incarnation Christ took on human flesh with all its delights and burdens. What do you think the Incarnation does?

2. “The Spirit of God dwells in you.” What does this imply about the wonder and holiness of your spirit? Could it help you reverence your neighbor?

Gospel
Matthew 11:25-30

1. A carpenter hand-made the yoke to fit the animal that wore it. Is your yoke handmade for you? If yes, who “makes” it? What does Jesus say about it in Sunday’s Gospel?

2. Does Jesus have the meekness of the First Reading’s king? If he had never labored or been burdened would you still feel he could understand you? Discuss Pope Francis’ statement about this Sunday’s Gospel:

  “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

No one is excluded from this call, because the mission of Jesus is to reveal to everyone the Father’s love. It is up to us to open our hearts, trust in Jesus and accept this message of love, which makes us enter into the mystery of salvation. …

In fact, with humility and simplicity let’s be instruments of inclusive mercy of the Father. Just as our Holy Mother Church prolongs in the world the great embrace of Christ dead and risen.

The Church's Mercy Is for Everyone
St Peter’s Square
Nov. 12, 2016