14th Sunday of the year Year A

One day, a teacher wrote the number 100 three times on the blackboard. Then, he said to his students, "Do something to make these numbers look smaller."

One student stepped forward, picked up an eraser, and erased one zero from the number 100. The number 100 became 10. Next, another student did the same, picked up an eraser, and erased two zeros from the number 100. The number 100 became 1. Yet another student stepped forward. Interestingly, this student didn't look at the eraser, but instead picked up chalk. After thinking for a while, the student wrote the number 110 next to the number 100. Seeing the last student's action, the teacher said to his students, "This is true wisdom of life."

"You don't need to erase something to make things look smaller.
You just need to do something bigger."
Our daily lives are no different. You don't need to insult others to show you're superior. You don't need to look down on others to make yourself seem important. You don't need to badmouth others to get people to acknowledge that you're right. You don't need to publicize your efforts to let people know you're doing well.

If you focus on refining yourself and developing your strengths rather than comparing yourself to others, the difference will naturally become apparent. It's about creating a garden, not trying to catch butterflies. You don't need to chase and catch them. If you create a beautiful garden, the butterflies will return to you.

Today's Gospel reads, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Life has its times for striving and times for rest. This fatigue we feel now is not in vain for the long life ahead. This current state of "weariness with life" should be considered a necessary challenge in our lives. Then, reflect on "why this trouble occurred and what went wrong in my way of life," and learn from this trouble as you embark on your journey this week.