Mt 11: 25-30
At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“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.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Come to Me
In the storm of protests against excessive use of violence by police, especially against people of color, a policeman came to a counselor the night after he had beaten up his wife. “I’ve never laid a hand on her or any woman before this” the officer explained. “I don’t know why I did it. I need help.”
There are dark forces at work within all of us – as individuals, as a country, as a Church. In the midst of this confusion, Jesus’ invitation stands. “Come to me!” The healing begins when we take that first step toward the Lord. We must admit that life isn’t working for us, that we need divine help. We are not self-sufficient. Rather than being put off by our display of weakness, Jesus rejoices in our standing in this place of humble truth. It’s much easier to play the blame game than to follow a savior who leads us toward confronting our own inner demons.
—Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ, is a retreat master, writer, and spiritual director at the Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, in Barrington, IL. His weekly video reflections can be viewed at Heart to Heart.
Prayer
O Lord, I am weary. I am tired of the fight.
So much confusion. So much division.
How can I ever find my way home?
Worries, like weeds, continue to thrive…
Keep reminding me that You are God, and we are not,
That no problem is too big for You,
No heart so hardened that it can’t be cracked open.
Crack the yoke I’ve chosen to carry.
Fashion one anew that allows me to walk beside You.
—Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ