My Yoke is easy, my burden light

Written by BPNews Team | 28 January 2010

14th Sunday in ordinary time
(Green) Cycle A/ Year II (July 6, 2008)
Zec 9:9-10/ Rom 8:9, 11-13/ Mt 11:25-30

If we are to observe our human longings, we will notice that we always desire to have a convenient and easy life. Generally, we do not want a complex life. The modern inventions and technologies facilitate that kind of life that we want and manifest the fact that we want to live an uncomplicated life. But it seems that it is part of the divine plan that amidst the modern facilities that make life easy to live, we still encounter a lot of difficulties in life. The fact that these human inventions and technologies do not lead us to a life free from worries, problems and pains, shows that these difficulties in life are a part of our human life experiences and that they teach us the true value and meaning of life.

“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest (Mt 11:28).” These are the consoling words of Jesus Christ to those who suffer in one way or another, be they sinners or saints. Money, power and fame may ease the loads and bring short contentment in life, but they will not bring the person to the fullness of life and to true peace and happiness. Only Christ is capable of alleviating our sufferings and giving peace and happiness to us because only He is the One who loves us with all His being as to offer His life for our sake and our salvation. Only Christ is our Lord who saves us from sins and shares with us the divine life. Only He can give us true rest because only He is the Son of God who can lead us and bring us to the home of our Heavenly Father.

“Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest (Mt 11:29).” The reason why we do not find true rest is that we seek and learn such peace and happiness from other masters or lords of life such as scientists, lawyers, politicians, businessmen, actors, singers, doctors, astronomers and other experts who give their theories or opinions in life. Yet they are not true guides since their yoke is meant only for them and their way is usually a selfish one. Only Christ is the true Lord and Guide since His yoke fits each of us and His way is the Way to God. Such way is none other than meekness and humility. If we want to find rest, we must learn from Him, humbling ourselves in front of God and of others and serving others the way Christ had served us till death.

“For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light (Mt 11:30).” Many times we complain for the sufferings we experience. Little do we know that there is actually no reason for us Christians to grumble because if we are faithful to Christ like the saints and the martyrs, we will never be short of grace from our Lord since He will shower us our needed strength, wisdom and blessings to endure such sufferings, to bear them with peace of mind and happiness, and to convert them into an avenue for growth in our love for God and service for the humanity. Besides, God is a just God who gives us only the load that we are capable to carry. This means that the sufferings that we may presently experience are our crosses which Christ has given us because we are able to carry them when we are united with Him. And when we collapse or fall down due to our sufferings, it only indicates that we are not united with Him and that we must be converted by asking forgiveness from God, leaving our old ways of life and old life of sin, and living the divine life that is given to us by Jesus Christ Himself. 

Let us ask the help of the mother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was able to endure the hardships of seeing her Son being born in a stable, being harassed by the authorities and abandoned by His disciples, and dying on the cross. Yet she never doubted but rather had a strong faith in Him and stayed with Him right there at the cross. May through her prayers we become like her that amidst our trials and pains we remain faithful to Christ our Lord. And with her prayers also, may God shower us through such sufferings with deep mercy, countless blessings, and abundant graces that will guide us to live a divine life of being children of God which will then serve us true peace and happiness in the life here on earth and especially in the eternal life to come at the home of our Heavenly Father.