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. 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.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Labor with Love
We all know the difference between labor that is soul-crushing and labor that renews and lifts up our spirit. Jesus shows us that he also understands this distinction in today’s Gospel. Jesus invites us to take his yoke upon our shoulders and to learn from him. We are called not only to labor with Jesus but also to imitate how Jesus labors. Jesus labors lovingly in everything for us. Our labors will not crush us if we strive to do everything in love. Love lightens our burdens, fills us with joy, and frees us to accept the yoke of the labors that come before us. Jesus teaches us how to labor so that, even while we bear the yoke of our labors, we may experience that yoke as a sweet relief because we bear it with Jesus.
—Tom Hellenbrand, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province studying philosophy at Saint Louis University.
Prayer
I beg of you, my Lord, to remove anything that separates me from you, and you from me.
—St. Peter Faber, SJ