Word to the Wise
Thursday, July 14, 2016 - Thursday in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
[Isa 26:7-9, 12, 16-19 and Matt 11:28-30]" Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden light." [Matthew]
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA ["The Lily of the Mohawks"]
After all the warnings and demands of the previous verses of the "Missionary Discourse," we are treated to some comfort! "My yoke is easy and my burden light." Scripture scholars tell us that the "yoke" here is a reference to the Mosaic Law. The contrast will become clearer as we move into the next chapter of this gospel when Jesus once more comes into tension with the scribes and Pharisees. (One nice way to enjoy today's verses, however, is to listen to Handel's MESSIAH in the chorus, "His yoke is easy...")
Amid the comfort of Jesus' yoke and the lightness of his burden is a fair warning. There are yokes and burdens that we may lay on the backs of our brothers and sisters in the name of "truth" that do not bring them any closer to Jesus. Pope Francis has repeatedly warned us about this. Most especially this burden is felt by those who find themselves in irregular marital circumstances and are asked to refrain from receiving communion at the celebration of the Eucharist. Both pastor and parishioner in these circumstances should read the recent document Amoris Letitia, especially the paragraphs on "accompaniment" of couples and individuals in difficulties. Pastors may try to recall the Catholic tradition of "communion of desire" for those, who through no fault of their own (e.g.,abandoned spouses who re-marry) are excluded from physical reception of communion. This can at least help some until our church can find a merciful way to be faithful to Jesus' teaching about divorce and remarriage.
There are other areas, too, where out of zeal to protect certain values, we may over-legislate and create unnecesary burdens and yokes. Church law is meant to lead people to Christ, not exclude them. Remembering Jesus' words in today's gospel may help us to avoid that trap! AMEN
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