First Reading (Zech 9:9-10). The messianic king is portrayed, not as a proud warrior, but as a humble and gentle champion of peace for all peoples.
Second Reading (Rom 8:9.11-13). St Paul contrasts life ‘in the spirit’ with life ‘in the flesh’.
Gospel (Mt 11:25-30). Jesus reveals the Father to those who are ‘little’, and lightens the burdens of those who are humble.

The words spoken by Jesus in today’s Gospel are among his most moving invitations to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed.
He invites us to come and find rest in his love. His invitation is all the more moving when we read it in context. Jesus’ heart has gone out to the people who are harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd, but he himself has just been rejected by the leaders, the very ones who are failing to care for the people and, in God’s name, are laying burdens on them that are too heavy to carry.
Jesus invites us to come to him. We still have to suffer the burdens of life, but if we come to Jesus we will find that the yoke sits easily on our shoulders and we can carry the burden, for it is fitted to us, and Jesus is carrying it with us.
Note that the Gospel passage begins with Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, crying out in spontaneous prayer to the Father, thanking him for revealing His divine life, not to the learned and clever, but to “mere children”, those who are humble of heart and trusting enough to receive this gift.