FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Zach. 9:9-10; Ps 144
Rom. 8:9,11-13; Mtt 11:25-30
COME TO ME
Many of us have had an experience of being overwhelmed by life’s issues. In fact, many people are still frustrated, stressed and confused about their life situations. Some are overwhelmed by the expectation of others, about marriage, about job and measuring up to the social status. Some burdens are religious and spiritual in nature. This was the situation of the audience of Jesus in today’s gospel. They were weighed down by the unnecessary burdens the religious leaders placed on them. They tie up burdens on people without lifting a finger to help (Matth. 23:4).
Challenges of life drive some people to seek refuge and consolation in drugs, alcohol and many other things. The growing number of suicide cases, prayer camps and mental health issues among others is an indication that many people are tormented and messed up by life.
Jesus calls out to each one of us who is tired and drained: “Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). To be “heavy laden” is to grow weary of carrying something for a long time. For all those who have known hardship and torment all their lives, Jesus invites you to allow him take the burden off your shoulder. For all those who have been frustrated by the expectations of others and by personal sense of hopelessness, especially in this time of corona, Jesus says, “come to me”.
Sometimes when we look at our lives and how we have lived, we realise we do not deserve the Lord. Well, that is true, but we are the reason for his coming. We who do not deserve him, his love and mercy, are the ones he came for. Hear what he has to say, “It is not the healthy who needs a doctor but the sick. I have come not to call the righteous but sinners” (Mk 2:17).
The invitation is to ALL. No one is left out. All those who are weary. He calls anyone who is overwhelmed, tormented, battered and worn out by life. It does not matter what the burdens and troubles are. It does not matter how long you have borne it. Jesus invites you to give it to him. He wants to nail it also to the cross to give you freedom and peace of mind.
Only he can offer you what he offers because God has given him that authority. He says, “Everything has been entrusted to me by my father…” (Matt.11:27). This is the authority with which he promises rest for us.
The Lord also invites us to shoulder his yoke and learn from him. The word yoke is used to refer to obligation and devotion to somebody or something. As we hand over our troubles and burden to him, he gives us a yoke (an obligation and responsibility) that will keep us at ease. In fact, the Greek word translated as yoke is “krestos” which means “well fitting”. As a carpenter, Jesus uses this analogy to call us to spiritual rest. The life he gives us in return for our troubles is made to fit us. It will not break us. He will give us true rest.
When we talk of rest, our minds go immediately to Genesis where God rested after the toil of creation. This is the kind of rest that Jesus gives us. This is a rest of peaceful mind, a rest of fulfilment, a rest of satisfaction and a rest of goodness.
This is the promise that comes with the invitation. Will you come to the Lord today? Will you allow him to take the burdens off your shoulders?
You can trust Jesus.
God Bless You.
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
