Prayer Prompt before reading MT 11:28-30 Come, Holy Spirit, teach me how to pray well, interpret the Scriptures for me so that I may know the Truth about who God the Father is and God the Son so that I may know who I am.
“FOR MY YOKE IS EASY, AND MY BURDEN LIGHT.” MT 11:28-30
Humbly submit your will to God (Thy Will be done) and consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary and Joseph.
Today, Jesus gives us very comforting words. A yoke was used as a neck brace around cattle that farmers used to pull their plows. Jesus is referring to the yoke of the law the Pharisees and scribes were using to hold back God’s people. He wants us to obey His words that will bring us freedom. Freedom from what?
Sin, our addictions. The guilt and shame, the embarrassment, the thoughts that we will never be holy or God doesn’t love us because of our sin. Tell Satan to go to hell and run to the Father. Be restored in confession and work to receive the Eucharist more worthily. Talk to Jesus in spontaneous prayer throughout the day. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Ask Mary and Joseph to intercede for you. This is where the relationship with Jesus is developed. The sinner who keeps sinning and the Savior who keeps forgiving and loving. Ohhhh, it is sweet sweet love and mercy.
The more freedom we have the more our happiness depends on our choices. If we want to be free from the burden of sin, Jesus’s message in the Gospel today is for us. When we use our will with God’s grace to make a decision to continually return to His mercy and Love in the sacraments and other ways to receive His grace, we begin to experience this freedom. Remember, God likes to see things grow slowly like the trees outside. We want everything to happen right away. Life is difficult, we are in a battle.
Jesus promises rest from this weary battle we face each day with sin, Satan, and our fallen nature. The rest and peace come from knowing that God is always there to love and forgive you no matter how many times you screw up. The journey of a sinner is a grueling one at times.
A person may falsely chase after comfort and luxury, looking for the next material thing to make them suffer less and will give them comfort. It may be medicine, it may be more money, it may be more power, it may be more entertainment (binging on Netflix) or the next diet fad, it may be more beauty, too much food, or too much drink. None of these are bad in and of themselves, but can become addictions or misused.
Everything we need to be happy/holy is right in front of us when we are in the presence of another person. An opportunity to give ourselves away. St. Augustine wisely says, “My heart will not rest, until it rests in you.” Only God can give us true freedom and holiness which is our hearts greatest desire. We are called to imitate Christ. He gave everything, taking on a human nature, to serve and give up His life for all. Holy people are full of joy. They are fulfilled. It does not mean they do not suffer or have to sacrifice, these are requirements for a follower of Christ because they help us battle.
This is the humility and meekness a person seeks which is found in serving. In loving God and others more than self. Then, Christ says, “you will find rest for yourselves.” This is the answer we have been seeking. Sacrificial love serving others and adoring God fills us up with joy. When we keep God at our center and allow our lives to be transformed by His grace, we can accept suffering, the battle with our addictions or weaknesses and live in joy.
Today’s challenge: Find peace in God ridding ourselves of guilt by reconciling ourselves with Him and others so that we can experience His peace and joy. We have the power of God in us through baptism to fight sin and be holy. We can overcome the Devil and find peace.
Be a servant, become a saint!
#Christian YODO (You Only Die Once; we will live again!)
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