In today’s second reading, St. Paul presents his listeners with a choice. There are two kinds of people: those who live according to the Spirit of God, and those who live in the flesh. Those of the flesh satisfy their desires in this life with no thought of God, and eventually, they die. Those who live in the Spirit are different—rather than thoughtlessly indulging their desires, they “put to death the deeds of the body” (Rom. 8:13). Their focus is not on this life, but on the one to come, when “the one who raised Christ from the dead” will give them new life (v.11). So far we understand—there is a choice: flesh or spirit, life or death. We desire life. But what sort of life are we choosing? Once God has us in his power, what will he do to us? Will we be helpless subjects suffering under the reign of a ruthless king? Mere puppets in the hands of an indifferent master?
The remainder of today’s readings provide comfort. “Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion!” the prophet Zechariah exclaims. “See, your king shall come to you…Meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass” (Zech. 9:9). In fulfillment of this prophecy, Jesus declared of himself: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves” (Matt. 11:29). The king has not come to dominate, but rather to free those suffering under heavy yokes (v.28). Through Jesus, we come to know God our Father and his heart (v.27). And what is the Father like? “The Lord is good to all, compassionate to every creature….The Lord supports those who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down” (Ps. 145:9,14).
Choosing the life of the Spirit should not be the result of obligation or fear of punishment. Rather, it is a joyful outpouring of love for the Creator who has “hidden these things from the wise and the learned” and “revealed them to the childlike” (Matt. 11:25).