The readings for mass today are awesome. Both of the readings are about being set free from burdens. God has plans to set the Israelites free from the bonds of slavery in the first reading from the book of Exodus today. Then, the gospel tells us that Jesus also wants to set his people free from the heavy burdens that we carry as well. Jesus acts just like his Father. They don’t just think just alike, they have the same compassion, concern and care for our well being. In the first reading God says that His name is “I AM”. If you remember, that was the reason Jesus was crucified, because he also called himself “I AM” and the Jewish people convicted him of blasphemy for saying this. However, the scriptures are full of examples of Jesus thinking, acting and loving people just like his Father, and that is because they are so closely connected in the Trinity that they exist as one being with the Holy Spirit.
In the gospel today Jesus says:
“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 dictionary says that a “yoke” is an arched device laid on the neck of a defeated person, or a frame fitted to a person’s shoulders to carry a load in two equal parts. A “yoke” is also a term that is used to describe slavery or bondage. The yoke of sin is also a form of bondage. But, Jesus is none of these things. In him there is no darkness at all, only light, only love. He is not harsh like the Egyptian slave masters. What a beautiful thing it is to turn to Jesus in prayer and find refreshment for our souls and a place to lay our troubles down. We do not have to struggle alone with the things that worry us, because we can come to the Lord with all our problems, suffering or pain and give it all to him in prayer. Even our sins. We do not need to carry the guilt anymore over our sins. Guilt can be like a huge weight on our shoulders that we can’t shake on our own, but Jesus can remove it in the sacrament of confession. The yoke of sin is very much a type of bondage, and it can be a type of slavery if we are addicted to certain kinds of sins. But, the hold that sin has over us can be broken with frequent confession. Confession can help us break the addiction.
However, it would be best if we never succumbed to sin at all. Most of the suffering that we go through in life is a result of our own sins, or from those closest to us. To obey God’s commandments, and to do what Christ commands us to do is not difficult and our lives would go so much more smoothly and peacefully if we listened to them and did what they said. When we veer off the path of righteousness, even by a little, suffering always follows. Because of a temporary moment of pleasure, people can suffer for years afterward, depending on what the sin was.
Jesus said in today’s gospel to “learn from me” and this is the most excellent advise we could ever receive. Jesus’ life is the best teacher, counselor, mentor, guide and model for our own lives that we could possibly want. If you are ever in doubt on what the right thing to do is, in any given situation in your life – look to Jesus. He will show you the right thing to do, by his own life. Especially contemplate the cross, because the cross is the greatest teacher the world has ever known. The suffering Jesus endured on the cross is not in keeping with the soothing words of today’s gospel, but the cross teaches us everything we need to know about love and forgiveness and living a good Christian life.
We do not need to reinvent the wheel in our own spiritual lives, just follow in the Lord’s footsteps. He knows the way to where we are going. Just like God knew the way through the red sea too. We simply need to trust them with our lives. We really do not have to even give it much thought. Children simply trust their parents because they know that they love them. Jesus loves us the same way. We can trust him with our lives too. We will be safe in his tender care.
