Breaking the Word

15^th Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 20^th July 2023 — Gospel: Mt 11,28-30

Called to Embrace His Yoke

Jesus offers one of the most appealing and memorable invitations of the gospel. He gives an open call to all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and encourages them to come and experience the rest he offers them. For through his life, He himself has set an example of love, gentleness, compassion, and mercy. The invitation of Jesus is twofold. First, he says, “Come to me.” Being with Jesus and sharing his life is the way to fulfillment. Next, he says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” When an animal is yoked, it is ready for work. Following the teachings of Jesus and taking up the cross are certainly not effortless. Yet, Jesus says paradoxically, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” The yoke which He invites us to embrace is his way of grace and freedom from the power of sin. Though the Christian life is a challenge, the way of Jesus gets at the heart of God’s will for us. Because Jesus is gentle and humble, learning from him and following him is not burdensome. His way leads to rest, to his Father, to the fullness of life.

15^th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 19^th July 2023 – Exodus 3,1-6.9-12; Mt 11,25-27

Transforming Revelation

In the first reading, Moses is the recipient of God’s self-revelation. With that revelation comes an obligation. God not only creates and provides for humanity, but also reveals the essence of who God is and responds to those who seek his help. Thus, God offers a personal message to Moses on behalf of his chosen suffering people. However, on approaching the burning bush, God first gives Moses two commands: to keep his distance, and to remove his sandals. Both commands relate to the holiness of the location where Moses stood. This holy ground became the location of the calling of Israel’s greatest leader, as well as the place where he would return with the people of Israel later on. This holy “place” referred specifically to Mount Horeb, the entire mountain where God would reveal. Joshua received a similar calling, where he was also commanded to remove his sandals due to holy ground (Josh 5,15). God calls the place “holy” because God is being revealed there. The source of this holiness is God – not the object, the location, or the substance itself. Gripped by this “holiness”, Moses slowly and yet firmly shifts his focus as leader from shepherding sheep to shepherding God’s people.