O nly Jesus can lift the burden of sin and the weight of hopelessness from us.

M atthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Meditation by Don Schwager

W hat does the yoke of Jesus refer to in the gospel? The Jews used the image of a yoke to express submission to God. They spoke of the yoke of the law, the yoke of the commandments, the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of God. Jesus says his yoke is "easy". The Greek word for "easy" can also mean "well-fitting". Yokes were tailor-made to fit the oxen well. Oxen were yoked two by two. Jesus invites us to be yoked with him, to unite our life with his life, our will with his will, and our heart with his heart. To be yoked with Jesus is to be united with him in a relationship of love, trust, and obedience.

Jesus also says his "burden is light". There's a story of a man who once met a boy carrying a smaller crippled lad on his back. "That's a heavy load you are carrying there," exclaimed the man. "He ain't heavy; he's my brother!" responded the boy. No burden is too heavy when it's given in love and carried in love. When we yoke our lives with Jesus, he also carries our burdens with us and gives us his strength to follow in his way of love. Do you know the joy of resting in Jesus' presence and walking daily with him along the path he has for you?

Jesus offers us a new kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. In his kingdom sins are not only forgiven but removed, and eternal life is poured out for all its citizens. This is not a political kingdom, but a spiritual one. The yoke of Christ's kingdom, his kingly rule and way of life, liberates us from the burden of guilt and from the oppression of sinful habits and hurtful desires. Only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and the weight of hopelessness from us. Jesus used the analogy of a yoke to explain how we can exchange the burden of sin and despair for a weight of glory and victory with him. The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is his way of love, grace, and freedom from the power of sin. Do you trust in God's love and submit to his will and plan for your life?

"Lord Jesus, inflame my heart with love for you and for your ways and help me to exchange the yoke of rebellion for the yoke of submission to your holy and loving word. Set me free from the folly of my own sinful ignorance and rebellious pride that I may I wholly desire what is good and in accord with your will."

* Supplementary Reading

No Fear in Truth

Because she was afraid, Sarah dissembled, saying, 'I didn’t laugh.' -- Genesis 18:15 

“Do you believe in life after death?” asked the boss to one of his employees. “Yes, sir,” the employee replied. “Well, that makes everything just fine,” his boss said.  “Why?” the man asked. “Well, about an hour after you left yesterday to go to your grandfather’s funeral, he stopped by to see you,” said the boss.

Let’s admit it. All of us have told lies in our life. (If anyone says otherwise, that’s a lie.) We lie to protect others… and ourselves. We lie to avoid hurting someone else’s feelings. We lie to avoid conflict. For others, lying has become a habit and a hobby.

In today’s first reading, Sarah laughed when she heard from their guest that she’d bear a child despite her old age. When confronted about her reaction, she denied it. She lied maybe because she was afraid that her innermost thoughts were discovered. Fear is the most common motive for lying.

Jesus did not lie. He proclaimed the truth even if it meant the ridicule and rejection of people. Even if it led Him to His death. Jesus spoke the truth for He knew that truth would always set people free. Jesus is the Truth. We have nothing to fear. ---- Judith Concepcion (Kerygma)

Editor’s Note: Ms. Judith Concepcion's article is reprinted from one of the Shepherd's Voice Publications, as published originally in the www.KerygmaFamily.com