Memorial of Saint Bonaventure
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus says: “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” (Matthew 11: 28-30).
Reflecting upon this passage, I’m drawn specifically to the image of a yoke. A yoke is a wooden beam normally used between a pair of oxen or other animals to enable them to pull a load together. Likewise, Jesus invites us to walk with him and share the load. Even though I may go through stressful times, I am comforted to know that Jesus remains tethered to me and accompanies me through the difficulty. When I face a particular challenge, perhaps my prayer can change from asking God to the prevent struggle and pain, to a willingness to accept the Lord’s help to lighten my burden.
As we accept the help from Jesus, we can challenge ourselves to turn our attention outward and become a witness of his teaching to others. How do we respond to the people in our lives that labor and have heavy burdens? The people we encounter in our daily lives also long for relief. Do we, like Jesus, offer others our humility—a willingness to serve them? Do we offer our gentleness—a heart that is understanding?
As the Archdiocese of Cincinnati moves toward “families” of parishes, we as a community will have an opportunity to live out our call to think, talk, and act like Jesus. How will we respond to a new relationship with another parish? Sometimes change can be painful. Let us be humble and gentle to all whom we encounter. God bears the weight of the yoke with us, offering his grace in our moments of weakness. Together, we can take this opportunity to strengthen our community and revitalize the Church.
Today let us ask God to make our hearts like his, gentle and humble. Let us pray for the grace to be like Jesus in all our relationships, both those that are easy and those that are difficult. As we face moments of change and transition, let us find the opportunities to the accept help when we need it so that we can go out and love each other as He loves us.
- Jessica Gabrielli