14th Sunday (A)
14th Sunday (A)
“Come to me, all you who labor.” (Mt. 11:28) This is the Invitation Jesus invites all of us coming to Him.
When we are overburdened, weary, confused or sick, Jesus’ invitation sounds like music to our ears.
Other people seem to be so much better at coping than we are, and we wonder what their secret is. The promise of rest in Jesus seems very sweet, except
The promise of rest in Jesus seems very sweet, except for small complication.
Jesus says: “take my yoke upon you.” (Mt. 11:29) How does this give rest to our souls?
In another gospel narrative, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for laying burdensome religious regulations of people’s back and not lifting a finger to help them carry the load.
Jesus does not weigh his disciples down with teaching that they cannot follow. Jesus invites them to shoulder his yoke and learn from him, for he is gentle and humble of heart.
For generations farmers have yoked a young and inexperienced plough animal alongside one that is well trained. The more experienced animal trains the other by example; the novice gradually learns how to work until it can manage alone. An older animal near the end of its working life may
An older animal near the end of its working life may likewise be yoked to one in its prime, so that the strain of the hardest work is taken by the stronger partner.
So to with us, Jesus invites us to take on his yoke so he can teach us, not by laying burden upon us, but by walking alongside us and helping us to do things his way.
Jesus promised never to leave us to “pull” alone.
When it all gets too much or we lose our way, he will be there alongside us again, gentle, humble, but infinitely powerful and wise.
At times when we are strong we in turn can yoke ourselves to someone who needs that extra pull to get to firmer ground.
May our faith make us realize what a treasure we have in the Eucharist, in his words from the Bible, for their waiting for us under the sacramental veils of Jesus, our God, best friend and Savior.
Sunday Services: Religious classes for children at 10 a.m.; The Eucharistic Celebration at 11 a.m.
Welcome all of you to St. Michael Church of Henryetta.
The church is located at 1004 W. Gentry Street.
