Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (11: 28-30) in which Jesus says, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and overburdened and I will give you rest’.
Fr Paul says in Judaism the ‘yoke’ that is spoke of in this Gospel often is referred to as the Law; it’s the burden the Law places on us; it’s a burden that must be borne. If we look beyond that image to the tradition of wisdom, it fits better when we hear the invitation of Jesus. Jesus invites the poor who labour and are overburdened. The invitation is not just to the learned, but it is to those who are humble and open-minded. Jesus shows this himself by entering Jerusalem on a donkey because Jesus is humble and unpretentious. It also explains why Jesus, being born into a poor and homeless family, is first greeted by simple shepherds. Mindful of this, Fr Paul says, this invitation of Jesus is to put aside all worldly honour and the standards of the world and to embrace his own more profound and rewarding way of life. For our reflection today, Fr Paul says we might take some time and ask ourselves how we can do this in our own lives.
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