Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Rest. What does that word mean to you? I invite you to take a deep breath and sit with that word for a moment. Rest. I fear many in our society have forgotten what it means to rest. Our lives are frantic, hectic, and not only fast-paced but we’ve been lapped by life – life has not only run ahead of us, but it’s actually beaten us by a full lap and is now dragging us along in its wake. Through the Word, God invites us today to rest. God’s rest is holistic; God invites us to something deeper than a cessation of striving. God calls us to into the very rest of Christ. Let us abide in Him today and find rest for our souls.
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.” Other translations say, “you will find rest for your souls.” When our souls can truly rest in God, all other aspects of our life become ordered around a soul centered in God. What does that mean to you? What would it mean to you for your soul to be at rest? How might that inform or even transform your daily living? Imagine the place in which you most easily rest physically. Perhaps it’s a comfortable bed, a backyard hammock, a lounge chair at the beach . . . for me it was always my childhood home. Imagine yourself in that restful place with Jesus. Rest your soul in his companionship, allow him to gaze upon you with love, allow his meekness and humility to draw you into that peaceful space with him.
Now reflect upon the same text in The Message translation. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” What does the phrase, “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace” mean to you? Reflect, pray, meditate as the Spirit leads. What other words or phrases speak to you from this Gospel?
The prophet Isaiah tells us that God, who created the entire universe, calls each created entity by name. That same Creator does not lose track of or forget any of us. This infinite, all-knowing, all-powerful Creator never tires or grows weary. Our untiring, steadfast God pours out God’s strength upon us and invigorates us, no matter what we face in life, no matter the frantic pace we impose upon ourselves. This is our promise, “Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” What beautiful, soaring imagery! Can you allow yourself to soar with Christ today? Can you, in hope, “mount up with wings as eagles” (KJV)? This “mounting up” requires an act of our will. Let us choose rest today. To “hope” is to wait in confidence, to trust, to believe God’s promises, to be expectant that God will act. Biblical hoping is no mere wishing. As people of faith, we have hope in God’s promises because we believe them to be true, and we believe God to be faithful.
Rest, today, sisters and brothers; REST. And may our restful souls cry out with the psalmist, “O bless the Lord, my soul!”
Elizabeth Wells