Matthew 11: 28-30
Jesus said to the crowds:
“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.
A Lighter Burden
Ignatius once had a vision of God placing him next to Jesus and allowing him to help Jesus. An artist has imagined that scene in an image of Jesus and Ignatius side by side dragging the cross on their shoulders. That cross also resembles a yoke, as if they are draft animals pulling a heavy load.
The yoke image is more consoling to me than the lonely-sounding command to take up my cross daily. A yoke is often attached to more than one animal. With Jesus’ yoke, my hope is that he remains in the yoke with me, encouraging me and pulling together. The individual crosses we bear can be difficult and heavy, like Jesus’ own cross. Taking up his yoke and pulling with Jesus towards the kingdom, may all our burdens ultimately be easy in the light of his resurrection.
—Allain Andry is a spiritual director and OCIA leader at St. Peter Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC, the Jesuit parish in the Diocese of Charlotte.
Prayer
O my God,
I thank You for this cross you’ve allowed me to carry.
Please give me the strength and faith to persevere
so that I may bring glory to Your Name,
all while withstanding the burden of its weight.
I know You have always been, are now, and ever will be
at my side every step of the way.
Lord Jesus,
I embrace with love my cross as a share in Your own.
By Your grace, may I carry it all the way
to the vision of Your glory.
—Prayer for All Who Carry Their Cross, author unknown
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