Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's gospel reading one of my favorite Gospel readings. Jesus says to us, "“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,and I will give you rest."To know that there is a place of rest and peace amidst the work we do is so refreshing, so uplifting, and so hopeful. I have often heard this gospel reading used at funerals, to reassure those mourning that the deceased is now in a place of rest and peace. While I think this is very important, I think that there are also three very real ways to find rest from the work and to lighten the burden here on earth too.
Sin is heavy. It is isolating. When we sin we are weighed down, not only carrying our burdens alone, but pushing away all those who offer to help. Sin weighs on us. I know I have felt the heaviness of sin upon me. But I have also felt the lightness and peace and restfulness that can come from the sacrament of reconciliation, from forgiveness. Jesus, through the Church, provides us this Sacrament where we find rest and peace in the forgiveness we are offered. When we come to confession the Lord takes up that heavy burden of sin we have been wearing and takes it upon himself.
Also feel the weight of my burdens when I am trying to do everything alone, when I am trying to do it all myself. Think of the last time you had to move to a new home – a huge task. Did you do it all alone? No, you sought help from those around you. Jesus formed community when he was here on Earth, and he wants us to do the same. A community of people working to be Christ to one another lightens the load. I am a member of a Lay Marianist Community here in Dayton. This community that we have intentionally formed and fostered is truly a place where I find rest. We make each other meals, help one another with projects, cry and laugh together, and most importantly we pray with and for one another. I have learned many things from this community, but most importantly I have learned that we are not called to journey this life alone. As one of my favorite songs, the Servant Song says, “We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.” When we all carry the burden together, it is light!
Finally, we have prayer. In prayer we take time out from the work, the toil, the daily grind and we purposefully find time to be quiet, to be still, and to rest. Finding intentional time to pray is something I have always struggled with, but when I am purposeful about making the time in my daily life, I do feel my burden is lightened. Taking even five minutes a day to stop working, find quiet and spend time with the Lord makes those burdens that seem impossible to carry just a little easier to bear.
Jesus tells us to come to him to find rest and that His burden is light. When we seek Him out in Reconciliation, in the community of people gathered around us and in prayer, we do find rest. If your life is feeling hard to handle and your “burdens”, whatever form they may take, feel too heavy I urge you to try these things and I pray that your burden will lighten.
- Amanda Grimm