Share the Load

A Reflection on the Gospel for July 5th, 2020:
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

---

Matthew
11.25-30

At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”

He continued: “All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

“I thank You Father”

How wonderful and easy it is to say these words when times are good. When prayers are answered and all is well, these words roll off the tongue without effort: “I thank You Father for blessing me with a faith-filled husband, three sons strong in spirit, and five beautiful daughters of God. I thank you for a nice house and a peaceful garden, for food on the table and clothes on my back. I thank You Father for good friends who share my faith in You and for good friends who love me even though they may not know You very well. I thank You for faithful parents and a loving and supportive extended family.” 

I am also aware of the many times I’ve had to learn to say “I Thank You Father” when times weren’t so good. When sometimes the words came through gritted teeth and wet cheeks. 

“I thank You Father for this lesson learned even if it was really hard. I thank You Father for the pain of this relationship and for the struggles I face today. I thank You because I know that You will use all these things for good if I trust in You.”

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me... and you will find rest for your souls”

Jesus invites us to yoke ourselves to Him, not because all our troubles will disappear, but because He will lead us through these good and not so good times. If we take up His yoke, just like a team of oxen, we will work together. When He turns we will turn, when He moves we will move. 

“Come to Me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens...” 

The invitation is there for all of us. Jesus wants us to come to Him so He can share the load, so He can be our rest when we need it. 

He says, “Learn from Me”. Learn to say “I thank You Father,” both in happiness and sorrow; trusting in Him to bring good out of bad and rest for our souls. 


Let us pray:
I thank You Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that you care so much for me that You offer to carry my burdens and lead me on the path to new life. I trust that You will always be by my side offering me Your rest. Amen.



Maxine Brown
​

---