Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in ordinary Time
(Isaiah 26:7-9.12.16-19; Matthew 11:28-30)
St. Augustine begins his Confessions writing, "You
stir us to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for
yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." Human hearts are restless until they know the
Lord in worship and in righteous living.
In these activities they find comfort and peace. In today’s gospel Jesus invites all to find
this rest in him.
People’s lives are burdensome when they become
pointless. In Jesus’ time as today those
who consider their welfare as completely their own doing grow tired. In time they will find their efforts
incapable of providing all their needs.
Likewise, those who seek fortune, fun, or fame as their goal in life
will likely find their striving futile.
Jesus gives peace because he promises eternal life where all their needs
are met.
So why do we find worship tedious and doing the right thing difficult? Most likely our own defects are causing the problem. Limited talent in the community and our attitude demanding to have things our way take away enjoyment. Again, we must go to Jesus to find in his patience and understanding our way out of difficulty.
