Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
(Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30)
Most of the people who started Christmas shopping early
probably feel fatigued these days. There
are so many people to please and so many options to consider that shoppers are
bound to grow weary. Purchasing gifts online
has eased the burden. Of course, buying
gifts cards is a way out of the hustle.
Jesus in the gospel today proposes another solution.
He tells the people not to worry. Their concerns about pleasing one another, even
about procuring the necessities of life will be relieved when they rely on him. “Take my yoke upon you,” he says, “and learn
from me.” His yoke is the law of love –
to love God above all and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Sharing simple joys with God and neighbor –
and not trying to ingratiate oneself with lavish gifts – results in a peaceful
life.
Christmas shopping has become a mania that has compromised the
meaning of Christmas. Black Friday attracts
more interest than Good Friday. But Jesus
did not come to supplement our wardrobes, much less to jumpstart the
economy. He came to free us from
selfishness. When we spend more time
with him in thankful prayer and with others in friendly festivity, we come to
know why God became human.
