Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew tells us the inner comfort of the heart of God. When I read Jesus’ words, “My yoke is easy, and my burden light”, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Jesus’ words are in no way funny, but this Gospel passage always reminds me that when I was a child I did not understand it correctly. I thought Jesus was describing Himself as an egg! An egg you can scramble or enjoy over- easy. No one ever explained to me the difference between “yoke” and “yolk”.
Although eggs are a great source of protein given to us by God, Jesus is talking about a “yoke”. A yoke is defined by the Webster dictionary as, “a bar or frame that is attached to the heads or necks of two work animals (such as oxen) so that they can pull a plow or heavy load”. Jesus gave these analogies to the Jewish people during this time because they automatically knew what he was referring to. They could visualize this yoke as it meant work. Yokes placed upon animals were heavy and burdensome. It’s interesting that something that has to do so much with labor is used by Jesus to explain the rest He desires to give us.
First and foremost, Jesus tells us to come to Him. This requires an action of opening our hearts and to genuinely seek Him, to come into His presence. He wants to give all those who are overworked and overtired a time of rest. He wants us to stop from the crazy busy schedules and errands. He knows that we need rest. His yoke is not one of more work. A relationship with Him is not another errand or duty to mark off our checklists. It is a relationship of love that comforts, restores, and rejuvenates.
This passage in its simplicity is a comfort to me. Jesus speaks to us of rest and if you’re like me- we automatically desire to receive it. We’re tired. We want a break. We want some rest. The heart of God is meek and humble. He has a heart that is not burdensome or destructive. His heart is a place of comfort, a place of rest. His Sacred Heart wants you to come and rest with Him today. Snuggle up in His Sacred Heart today. He wants to give you His heart and His rest just as much as you want to receive it.
Briana is a Catholic Doctrine teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel school in Cleveland, OH. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH and is excited to use these skills to bring her students closer to Christ and His Church. “My soul has been refined and I can raise my head like a flower after a storm.” -St. Therese
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