Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of
the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (20th July, 2017) on the
Gospel
Ex 3:13-20;
Ps 104:1.5.8-9.24-27. (R. v. 8);
Matt 11:28-30.
Topic: Where disparity lies.
In today’s gospel, Jesus invites all that are weary and are
carrying heavy burdens to rest. They are to take His yoke upon them and learn
from Him who is gentle and humble in heart to find rest for their souls. He concludes,
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Carrying burden (suffering) frightens. Jesus explained the
necessity of His burden, cf. Matt 16:21;
Mk 8:31. 9:12; Lk 9:22. 17:25. 24:26.46; Acts 3:18. He also rebuked Peter
who wished Him otherwise, cf. Matt 16:22-23.
Many think that Jesus promises a burden free life. However, it
is only an exchange of heavy burdens with His light one. The early disciples’
understanding of Christ’s burden made them rightly count it as a blessing, cf. Acts 5:41; Phil 1:29; 2Tim 1:12; 1Cor 6:7.
Jesus did not ask us to go about looking for burden to carry,
cf. Matt 10:23. However, it can be God’s
will, cf. Acts 9:16; 1Pt 4:19.
Christian suffering can be likened to the water of Marah. It remained so until
Moses threw a piece of wood God showed him into the water, cf. Ex 15:23-25a. That wood is a symbol of
the cross of Christ. Burden loses its frightening quality when it is for the
sake of Christ. Christ’s burden is a means of salvation (the crown of life) to
those who endured to the end, cf. Matt
10:22; Rev 2:10. The gain of every Christian burden far outweighed their
pains, cf. Rom 8:18. Hence, the Igbo
adage, uru anaghị anyị arọ literally
meaning that profit can never be said to be too much.
Bible Reading: 1Pt 3:8-22. 4:12-19.
Thought for today: Suffering is not a bad omen.
Let us pray: Lord, grant us the strength to stand
every trial – Amen.
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