First reading Isaiah 40:25-31
The Lord strengthens the powerless
‘To whom could you liken me
and who could be my equal?’ says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look.
Who made these stars
if not he who drills them like an army,
calling each one by name?
So mighty is his power, so great his strength,
that not one fails to answer.
How can you say, Jacob,
how can you insist, Israel,
‘My destiny is hidden from the Lord,
my rights are ignored by my God’?
Did you not know?
Had you not heard?
The Lord is an everlasting God,
he created the boundaries of the earth.
He does not grow tired or weary,
his understanding is beyond fathoming.
He gives strength to the wearied,
he strengthens the powerless.
Young men may grow tired and weary,
youths may stumble,
but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength,
they put out wings like eagles.
They run and do not grow weary,
walk and never tire.
Responsorial Psalm 102(103):1-4,8,10
My soul, give thanks to the Lord.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord
all my being, bless his holy name.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord
and never forget all his blessings.
It is he who forgives all your guilt,
who heals every one of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave,
who crowns you with love and compassion.
The Lord is compassion and love,
slow to anger and rich in mercy.
He does not treat us according to our sins
nor repay us according to our faults.
Gospel Matthew 11:28-30
My yoke is easy and my burden light
Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
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Come to me
Are we feeling worn out because we are juggling many demands from work and family? Or perhaps we are simply too reliant on our own strength, leading to fatigue? Do our efforts sometimes feel pointless? Let us take a moment to listen to Jesus’ gentle invitation: “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.” Let these words settle in our hearts and bring us comfort.
Jesus does not promise us an escape from the demands of work; instead, He assures us that we will find strength and purpose in our labour because He will share the yoke with us. But what does this mean? A yoke is a farming tool that connects two animals, allowing them to share the workload and work more effectively together. This serves as a beautiful reminder that Jesus desires to be our partner in the midst of our daily struggles. We are not alone as we face life’s challenges. With Jesus by our side, our burdens become lighter. Today, we are called to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus and let Him give us the rest we need.
Reflective question:
How can I learn to experience the rest that Jesus desires for me?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
