Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Exodus 3:13-20; Matthew 11:28-30)
Many stories involve journeys. The Odyssey is
probably the most famous. But one can
readily add Don Quixote and The Canterbury Tales. In all these journeys transformations takes
place. Characters become wiser or holier
as they interact with one another. Jesus
has in mind such a transition in today’s gospel as he bids people to journey
with him.
Yokes join animals so that they might pull a load
together. In the gospel Jesus offers anyone
interested to share his yoke. Journeying with him, one will reach life’s fulfillment. Takers cannot expect leisure. But they will find happiness as He forms them
in his way of love.
Sharing Jesus’ yoke involves continual recourse to him in
prayer while serving others. It may
sound like a lonely road, but there are plenty of positive examples. Look at the Missionaries of Charity, the
sisters of Mother St. Teresa of Kolkata.
Their lives are as rigorous as an army recruit’s. Yet they radiate joy.
