FIRST READING
Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19
The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level. Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD, we look to you; Your name and your title are the desire of our souls. My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; When your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world’s inhabitants learn justice. O LORD, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done.
O LORD, oppressed by your punishment, we cried out in anguish under your chastising. As a woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pains, so were we in your presence, O LORD. We conceived and writhed in pain, giving birth to wind; Salvation we have not achieved for the earth, the inhabitants of the world cannot bring it forth. But your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise; awake and sing, you who lie in the dust. For your dew is a dew of light, and the land of shades gives birth.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 102:13-14ab and 15, 16-18, 19-21
R. (20b) From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
You, O LORD, abide forever, and your name through all generations. You will arise and have mercy on Zion, for it is time to pity her. For her stones are dear to your servants, and her dust moves them to pity.
R. From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD, and all the kings of the earth your glory, When the LORD has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer.
R. From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the LORD: “The LORD looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth, To hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die.”
R. From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
ALLELUIA
Matthew 11:28
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said:
“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.”
REFLECTIONS:
What 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 wholly desire what is good and
in accord with your will."
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