Reflection for 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time
First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10
Second Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.
Growing up in Clark, there were only a few farms around… Esposito’s Farm and Schieferstein’s Farm on Madison Hill Road. Perhaps farming may not be familiar to many of us. Present day farms use machinery instead of oxen. We have to use our imagination to visualize farming with yoked oxen. When two oxen are yoked together drawing the plough and furrowing the land, they must keep the same pace and work at the same rate. Jesus does not say that He will place a yoke upon us, but rather extends an invitation. A yoke always involves a pair. Jesus invites us to share his yoke. Yoked with Jesus, we are never alone. Yoked with Jesus, He will pace us to the goal of eternal life!
The rest that Jesus refers to in today’s gospel is eternal, in the presence of the Most Holy Trinity. Jesus invites us into “rest” now, in the midst of life’s burdens. The COVID19 pandemic has placed many burdens upon us, physically, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically and financially. Where do we find the strength? …only in Jesus Christ!
Today’s reading from the Book of the Prophet Zechariah speaks of a gentle Messiah. …the warriors bow shall be banished, and he shall proclaim peace to the nations. The gentle Jesus invites us to place all our troubles in His hands.
May God bless us all always!
Deacon Mike