14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reflection

Matthew 11:25-30

Thinking of today’s readings, I recalled some words of St. Josemaria which can help us to absorb the teachings of Our Lord: “You will draw strength from (love for Our Lady) to put the Will of God fully into practice, and you will be filled with desires of serving all men. You will be the Christian you have sometimes dreamed of being: full of works of charity and justice, happy and strong, understanding towards others and demanding on yourself.”

This principle: being demanding on ourselves and very understanding with others, means applying all our talents and energy to any task we have at hand. We should try to make our best effort in all our endeavours overcoming laziness and love of comfort to demand of ourselves to the full. While, at the same time, we strive to have compassion on others; understanding their personal defects and challenges, learning how to forgive them. It is so easy to do exactly the opposite: we can easily make excuses for ourselves and never for anyone else. We even demand of others, more that we require of ourselves.

Our Lord tells us in today’s Gospel passage: Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.

The charity of Christ urges us to show our regard for others in specific ways. We should look for opportunities of making ourselves useful to other members of our family, lightening the burdens of those around us. This we will give joy to all those whom we are able to help in any way. Often, just a brief word of encouragement or praise will help a person worn out by the  daily grind of tasks that never end, breathe more easily. When a person feels appreciated, it is much easier to “soldier on” until day’s end.

We should avoid causing unnecessary worries to others, and help people to bear the burdens they already have. Unfortunately , sometimes we might, without really meaning to, make life a little more challenging to those around us. Our whims and fancies, our rash judgements, negative criticism, and unkind words can ruin someone’s whole day.

Our Lord counts on us to help those around us to rest. Moreover, He himself will offer comfort and encouragement by making use of our own humanity, united with his. We too have likely found rest in the presence of a friend who, like Jesus, has listened to us and comforted us with their words and actions. This is a manifestation of the desire to be ipse Christus – Christ himself – that beats in the heart of a Christian.

Sometimes, helping others to rest can mean sharing the weight of their worries and concerns, taking on as our own a burden that tires or overwhelms them. This may sometimes require going beyond our own routines and adjusting our plans. Thus our hearts become more like Jesus’, who “took our infirmities upon himself and carried our sorrow” (Isaiah 53:4), with a willingness to suffer serenely for us to an unimaginable extent.

When we receive the consolation of Christ, we feel the impulse to become a source of rest for our brothers and sisters. Seeing that Jesus has carried our burdens encourages us to do the same for others.

Let us make a good resolution this Sunday. Each day this week, I will demand more of myself: getting up on time in the morning, beginning work punctually, assisting my neighbour in some chore. At the same time, on each day, I will try to be more understanding with one member of my family. That way we bear the burdens of others and lift more of the weight ourselves.