Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Knowing someone’s name seems to be an important part of knowing them. A lot of attention is given to naming a child even before the baby is born, and it is one of the first things we learn about another person when being introduced. Knowing someone’s name seems to make us more familiar with them; they are less of stranger and tell us something about the person. So, I think it’s understandable that in today’s first reading (Exodus 3:13-20) when Moses encountered God in the burning bush and was instructed to speak to the Israelites on God’s behalf, Moses says to God, “if they ask me ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?”
People have been trying to identify God, understand God, know God and even name God for as long as we know. The author of Exodus tells us that God replied, “I am who am” and to tell the Israelites: “I AM sent me to you.” Scripture scholars explain that “I am who am” is the source of the word Yahweh, and is commonly explained in reference to God as the absolute and necessary Being. They say it may also be understood of God as the Source of all created beings.
In trying to know God we look to scripture; this Exodus reading also tells us that God is concerned. God further instructs Moses to tell the Israelites, “I am concerned about you and about the way you are being treated in Egypt.” He then lay out the plan for freeing them and leading them into a “land flowing with milk and honey.” This God that Moses and the Israelites longed to know was concerned for them and how they were suffering under Pharaoh.
We also look to Jesus to know God. Today’s gospel reading (Matthew 11: 28-30), although brief, also reminds us that God cares about us. Jesus invites all who labor and are burdened to come to him and “I will give you rest.” He further invites us, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
What does that mean to take Jesus’ yoke and learn from him? One clue to understanding this passage may be found in Sirach chapter 51 where those seeking Wisdom are encouraged to “submit your neck to her yoke that your mind may accept her teaching.” The author of Sirach offers that “I have labored only a little, but have found much” in seeking Wisdom, “Acquire but a little instruction; you will win silver and gold through her.” In a similar way, Matthew seems to be reminding the readers that in seeking God through Jesus, we will find relief from our burdens, and find rest in Him.
I have found it to be true that when I am feeling particularly burdened by life’s difficulties, taking the time to seek God and draw closer to Jesus through prayer, singing, reading and reflecting on scripture at home or fully participating in the mass really does lighten my burdens and make easier whatever challenges I am faced with. God does care. God is beyond our naming and understanding, and our knowledge of God is limited, but we can still experience God and we can continue to seek God who has been revealed to us in Jesus. Let us turn to Him for rest from our burdens this week. “I am concerned about you...”
Eileen Miller