Thursday, 18 July 2024. Readings: Isaiah 26:7-9,12,16-19, Ps. 102:13-21, Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Whether we like it or not, we sometimes get weighed down by life’s challenges. Rich or poor, old or young, educated or not, no one is spared of the ups and downs of life. Good days bring memories, but bad days bring lessons. Have you been having a streak of bad days? Perhaps you are going through a season of darkness or dryness in business, health, academics, marriage, etc. Jesus knew such moments would come, so he said: “Come to Me, all who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.” What does this mean?
- Prayer. Are you troubled? Is your heart restless? You can’t find sleep at night? Get down on your knees and talk to Jesus. Go to the Blessed Sacrament and sit before Jesus. Pour out your heart to him like Hannah, who prayed and vowed to God concerning her childlessness. “After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose… She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy maidservant, and remember me, and not forget thy maidservant, but wilt give to thy maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.’ As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard.” (1 Samuel 1:9-13). Prayers can move mountains; prayers can bring back the dead. In today’s first reading, Isaiah says: “O dwellers in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a radiant dew, and the earth will give birth to those long dead.” (Isaiah 26:19)
- Carry His Yoke – Seek First God’s Kingdom. Coming to Jesus does end with prayer. Jesus says: “Take my yoke upon you…” (Matthew 11:29). The word “yoke” (from the Hebrew word “motah”) refers to “straight bars projecting downward, against which the shoulders of oxen are pressed” which enables the oxen to be used for farm work. Carrying Jesus’s yoke entails following the narrow, difficult road of obedience to God’s commands amid life’s challenges. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things, your heavenly Father knows you need them all. But seek his kingdom and righteousness first, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33).
- Carry His Yoke – Keep doing what is right. It is easier to believe in God or obey His commands when life goes smoothly for you than when you are sad, angry or depressed. It is truly a yoke to carry. However tough as this yoke may seem, it is lighter than the yoke of running to the devil for a solution or abandoning your faith out of annoyance. Jesus says: “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30). Does keeping God’s commandments burden you? Do you feel that righteousness no longer pays? Please, do not drop this yoke. Do not give up on God. The darkest part of the night is the closest hour to daybreak. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5). Do not turn away from righteousness because of your troubles. In today’s first reading, Isaiah declares: “The way of the righteous is level; O Just One, you make smooth the path of the righteous… O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, for indeed, all that we have done, you have done for us.” (Isaiah 26:7 & 12).
- Be Humble and Gentle. Jesus said: “… Learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29). What does it mean to be gentle and lowly in heart? Patience. Being aggressive or violent may not always get you what you want. Praying for the death of your enemies is never the best way to handle your problems. Jesus felt greater pains than you are, but He was gentle. Isaiah says: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter. … By oppression and judgment, he was taken away… yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise him … he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:7-10). Jesus added: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5).
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help us to put you first in all we do. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 15 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Isaiah 26:7-9,12,16-19, Ps. 102:13-21, Matthew 11:28-30).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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