Word to the Wise
Thursday, July 14, 2022 - 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]
JULY 14, ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA
After all the strict requirements for discipleship and the dire consequences of failing to recognize Jesus and his teachings, Jesus reveals some of the rewards of faith. Yesterday, he spoke of his relationship to his Father and how he can share that with anyone he chooses. That relationship includes what today's passage shows.
The "yoke" in question refers to the Law of Moses and its requirements which were known in Jesus' time as a "yoke," referring to the way oxen were harnessed for plowing. Another word was "burden." Jesus promises that his "new law" [cf. the Sermon on the Mount in chs. 5-7] is not a heavy burden, but the way to a new life. One of Jesus' severe criticisms of the Pharisees and scribes is: "They tie up heavy burdens [hard to carry] and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them." [Matt. 23:4].
The words discipline and disciple come from the same root which means to learn [Latin discere]. A disciple is one who learns through disciplined effort. To be a disciple of Jesus is to learn from him. His "burden" becomes lighter as the disciple learns to live his teachings and it enables the disciple to withstand the challenges that come from a hostile world. There will be times when we need the comfort of Jesus in the midst of those challenges and he assures us he will respond. AMEN