Come To Christ And Get Rest

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”-Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV

There is a saying that states that God works in mysterious ways. If ever we need rest the time is now.  The burdens of life have been extremely heavy this year.  There is much uncertainty about the future, and that is the cause of much anxiety more many.  Myself included.

During the time of Christ there were many who were carrying heavy burdens.  In today’s Gospel Jesus uses the analogy of the yoke.  You may be picturing the yoke of an egg, but that is not what Christ is referencing.  It is an agricultural term referencing the yoke that oxen wore that weighed heavily on their neck and shoulders.  This was attached to the animals to carry heavy loads.

Come to Christ

What does this have to do with people?  Like the oxen the audience of Christ, the people of Israel, were carrying heavy loads placed on them by the Pharisees.  The Pharisees added to the law that it was impossible not to break one.  Jesus showed them another way.  He led by example and fulfilled the law.  In the Gospel above he tells the people to come to him.  He is not tyrannical, and will not give someone a yoke that they cannot carry.  Jesus tells the people that they will find rest in them

Likewise we have sin weighing us down.  We have all done something wrong, and over time the guilt will eventually get to us.  Today Jesus tells us to come to him.  Come to him to lift that yoke of sin off of our shoulders and neck.  To come to Jesus is to experience true freedom.  Let Jesus take that yoke of sin away from you.  Find a priest and make an appointment for the sacrament of reconciliation.  Experience the freedom that only Christ can give.

Saint Quotes

“A humble soul does not trust itself, but places all its confidence in God.” St. Faustina

“The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day.”  St. Gianna Molla

“Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again: for forgiveness has risen from the grave!”  St. John Chrysostom

“Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him.  That is all the doing you have to worry about.” St. Jane Frances de Chantal