One time a priest was preaching. So, he told the Christians. Lift your burdens to the Lord. One man picked up his wife. One woman picked up her husband while another mother brought her children to the altar plus the husband!
The gospel today states, “come to me who labor and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” As families we may have several things that we feel without the hand of God we cannot succeed. Even probably we may have stories to tell of how Jesus stood with us when everything seemed breaking.
When the marriage was under certain trial, we came to the Lord! In Sickness. In times of heavy disagreements and we said, let us pray over it. We said let us go for mass. We asked someone to pray with us, and we emerged victorious.
Take My Yoke
Ironically, Jesus tells us I will give you my rest but then adds “take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” Yoke is used by oxen in ploughing fields or even pulling carts or other things. The yoke often times, required two animals to pull. It also required a contained energy towards one direction to be able to pull. Yoke symbolizes unity, working together, teamwork, and aiming at one direction. Home is made up of several individuals. We possess different talents, gifts, wealth, and many other aspects but unless we pull together, we cannot move.
Many married couples will agree with me; you succeed when you work together. If the oxen try to fight while pulling the yoke, is likely they will break it if it's weak. However, if it's strong, they will hurt themselves. Christ is telling us today, let us pull together. But we are not alone. We have the strength that will be given by him. This is the reason prayer, spiritual exercises, and sacraments become very crucial to hold us together as a family.
Focus on Jesus
When Jesus says learn from me, is telling us to focus on Him. Do not rely on yourself so much. Family that stands with Jesus find a strong unbreakable bond. Not because they do not quarrel or disagree or disappoint one another but because they are not alone. They focus on Jesus.
Secondly, Jesus endured suffering for us. In families at some point, we endure suffering so that others can find God. These are small gestures of patience, forgiveness, and charity towards one another which sometimes can be hurting, especially when our efforts are not noticed or appreciated. Lastly, Jesus tells us to be meek and humble of heart and we shall find rest.
Lifting Together
This should not be misunderstood as becoming silence in moments of injustice but to have a greater soul that lives for others and humble submission to God’s Word. Living together as a family while seeking great things for greater glory of God. This is measured by enduring love of one another that makes us meek and humble. Lifting each other in moments of weakness and not neglecting any single moment that requires our charity.
Let us pray for grace to surrender everything to God. So that families can be united. Families can be places of healing, hope and peace. May the strength of the Lord continue guiding us when we feel drifting away from him.
- Today’s Readings
- Father Joachim’s inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center today. You can watch the entire Mass on the Family Rosary Video streams channel on YouTube.
- Join the Rosary (11:30 am ET) and Mass (Noon ET) livestreams on the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page, Monday – Friday. Invite your friends and family to pray with you as well.
