Thought for the Day – 13 December – Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent and the Memorial of St Lucy (c 283-304)
Gospel for today : Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus exclaimed, 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.
The symbol of “yoke” used by Jesus in the Gospel has a special significance.
Two bulls are required to carry a yoke.
When Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you” means He is already on one side of the yoke.
He is inviting us to put our shoulder on the other side!
When we take Jesus’ yoke upon ourselves, we experience that the burden is light
and the yoke is easy to carry because of the presence of Jesus.
The ones who walk in the way of the Lord, will never be tired
because the Lord Himself will be their peace and their rest.
The peace and rest that come from the Lord are the signs which assures us
that we are carrying the burden with Jesus, whereas, disturbance and
restlessness, are signs which suggest that we are trying to do things
our own way and are burdened with our own agenda!
So how do we “see” our Lord there, right next to us?
Touch the hem of Christ’s garment! Celebrate the Eucharist – for it is here
that we are given peace and strength – in this mystery, God holds us to His Heart
and we can find Him on the other side of the yoke and we become whole.
Lord Jesus, our Christ, may we always accept Your invitation just as St Lucy did, whose Memorial we celebrate today and whose prayers we implore!
AnaStpaul 