6 July 2014
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
For my yoke is easy and my burden light.
It is refreshing to find passages such as these when the many demands of Christian life weigh heavily upon us. Let us examine some of the nuances of Jesus’ promise in this gospel.
In historical context, the Jews of Jesus’ day seem burdened by a complex legal system. The Pharisees, lay leaders of Judaism at the time, required strict interpretation and observance of the law. Then as now, the rules could seem overwhelming to many people, who were, as a result, looked-down upon by those who considered themselves more pious. (Does this sound familiar to anyone?)
Jesus insists upon an equally rigorous, but far different, discipline of loving obedience. The burden is “easy” that lightens our hearts to view obligation as an act of love. The image of yoked beasts might suggest that we move with the support of another, that two divide the weight of the load. When we are properly “yoked” to God, he walks along with us, helping to carry our difficulties and make light our burdens. He gently steers us along the path he has laid out for us. Journeying in tandem also suggests discipleship. We walk two by two, supporting and bearing each other’s load, guiding and sharing the faith as we journey with one another.
Jesus takes this understanding one step further when he invites us to learn from him as we take up our yoke. We look to him for the lessons of obedience and humility that drew him to the cross. We look to him to learn the manner of unconditional love that brought comfort, healing and hope to the burdened. We look deep within the Word for truth, guidance and direction. And we see in Jesus a faithful companion, forever yoked to our hearts as we make our journey.
The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.
