Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

July 5, 2026

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 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."

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Simple is Better

Rev. Paul Galetto, OSA

Pastor, Saint Paul Parsih + Philadelphia, Pa.

There are echoes of Wisdom Literature (see Sirach 51) in this three-part passage: a hymn of thanksgiving for revelation, the revelation of the Father through Jesus and an invitation to a simple life based on faith. There is an affinity for the simple truths and the simple life. This passage follows the rejection by Israel of both John the Baptist and Jesus. The “little ones” (in Greek nepios) here are infants or small children. In the Greek translation of the psalms, God gives wisdom to the nepios because they follow the law. “The wise and the learned” who are supposedly knowledgeable in the ways of God have missed the obvious in their rejection of John and Jesus.

In the second part, Jesus is the one who reveals the Father because all things have been given to him. This is high Christology – Jesus is fully aware of who he is (i.e., the Messiah and Son of God) and his relationship to God the Father. Jesus has experiential knowledge of the Father. “Knowing” here is to know, understand and recognize. The Son’s knowledge of the Father is available to all those who believe in the Son (i.e. the poor, women, those without privilege, etc.). In Israel, true wisdom consists in knowledge of God and this knowledge brings life and blessings.

In the third part of this passage, Jesus invites his followers to learn from him. Jesus, the meek and humble wisdom teacher, stands in stark contrast with the ostentatious Pharisees. The yolk (i.e., the burden) of the teachings of Jesus is lighter than the burden of the Law of the Pharisees. Those who accept this yolk of Jesus will be blessed with the revelation of God. Jesus is thus the true and authoritative teacher for Matthew’s community. He reveals the wisdom of God.

When Life Feels Heavy, He is Near

~Julia Lehman

Our Lady of Guadalupe + Doylestown, Pa.

This Gospel speaks to everyday life because Jesus meets us right in the middle of the things we quietly carry. So many of us move through their days with more on their hearts than we would ever say out loud. Some are caring for a parent who needs extra support, trying to stay patient even when they feel swamped with tasks. Others are balancing work, home, and responsibilities that never seem to slow down. And sometimes, it’s simply waking up already feeling tired from everything waiting ahead. Jesus doesn’t ask us to hide any of that or pretend we’re fine. He invites us to come to Him honestly, with whatever feels heavy or overwhelming.

I think of moments when I’m helping my parent through a difficult morning, trying to get them ready for the day and maybe answering the same questions over and over again or just being there for them when they’re having a hard day. In those moments, I’m aware of how much I’m carrying, and how easy it is to feel alone in it and sometimes how hard the days can be. Sometimes I have to pause and give my struggles to Him and say, “Lord, I need You right now,” and when I do that something shifts. It doesn’t erase all my responsibilities, but it brings me some peace, a feeling that I’m not doing this by myself and how He is with me through all my struggles and all my days.

This Gospel reminds us that Jesus isn’t distant from our everyday struggles. He’s close to the people who feel worn down or overwhelmed and He is especially with the ones who feel overlooked with their struggles. Jesus doesn’t remove our struggles but instead, He stays with us in them. And somehow, that makes the weight feel a little more bearable. He stays with us through the long days, the heavy moments, and the responsibilities that leave us feeling worn down.

In those small prayers throughout the day, I remember that I am not carrying life alone, He is always with me.