[__01__] There are
many tests of endurance, tests of perseverance – which we might experience.
In high
school, college and other classroom settings, the academic homework is test of
our patience, a challenge to our mental and physical strength at times.
Is this yoke
easy? Is this burden light. Often it is not, it is a heavy difficult burden.
But, in the middle of summer, when many students are off – and not doing
homework – we may for the moment not recall the burden.
We are in a
physical and mental sense – as Jesus says
-- “finding rest for ourselves.”
[__02__] The
classroom and academic life are just one example of a burden.
Some of us
may have particular responsibilities at home, responsibilities which we cannot
be evaluated in terms of a grade point average, financial aid, or a salary or
hourly wage.
We may, for
example, have the burden of care, the burden of care at home for a parent, a
spouse, child, a friend.
We will try
our best to love the other person, to be generous…but there will be certain
responsibilities which are at times…heavy …though not measured in kilograms or
pounds …nevertheless, the gravity of the situation pulls upon our shoulders.
This can be
uncomfortable, difficult.
[__03__] Through
this Gospel passage in Matthew, chapter 11, the Lord is inviting us to come to
him with our burdens … with the weight that is upon is physically, mentally,
emotionally…
[__04__] A
person with professional lifting experience… say a body builder or a piano
mover – can make the burden of several
hundred pounds appear easy.
They have
practiced, lifted many barbells, dumbbells … for them, we might say, the burden
is always light and well balanced from side to side.
Of course,
these lifters and movers – professionally – know exactly how and when to lift…
They understand the burden not only in terms of its weight but also its degree
of difficulty.
[__05__] Coming to the Lord in prayer, we are also
asking for the same insight, intelligence, awareness.
We are asking
the Lord to counsel us, advise us… regarding what burden to lift or bear first…
for we cannot lift everything all at once.
[__06__] When we
come to Sudnay Mass, when we come to confess our sins, when we come to pray, we
are also called to put down our burdens, boxes, baggage… if not also the
barbells.
[__07__] Do
you and I have decisions to make?
Put them in
God’s presence, in God’s hands, ask God to help us to know the full dimensions
of height, weight, length…
We might ask
ourselves… regarding our burdens, responsibilities… We might ask – for whom do
I carry this weight, this cross? Is it is only to prove something to myself? Am
I willing to carry this burden for God and for the good of my neighbor … my
loved one?
[__08__] In prayer, we are also called to put down our
burdens … so that the Lord might evaluate them …and also that he might – at the
next step … help us to lift them, help us to continue.
His yoke is
easy and his burden is light. [__fin__]
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