MY BURDEN IS LIGHT

XIV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 11:25-30

In this Sunday’s gospel, we find three important sayings of Jesus that were probably pronounced on different occasions and, then, put together by the evangelist. Matthew considered them important and we should pay attention to them and reflect upon them with a prayerful attitude.

During his public ministry, Jesus was faced with doubt, suspicion and rejection. In the gospel of Matthew, chapter 11 begins with Jesus going with the disciples “to teach and proclaim his message in their cities” (Mt 11:1). His preaching was not successful and he reproached the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum “because they did not repent” (Mt 11:21-23). Then, having reproached those cities, Jesus gives thanks to the Father because the humble and the simple, the children like (infants), were able to listen and to respond, while the “wise and the intelligent” closed their hearts and their minds to the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Certainly, Jesus was alluding to the Scribes and the Pharisees who, in their pride and self-righteousness, would not allow themselves to be challenged and converted. They behaved like the owners of knowledge who have a perfect understanding of God’s mysteries. The reality is the opposite: “You have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” To be touched by the word of God, we must be aware of our shortcomings and our sinful situation. Only then, the word of God will come to us as the good news of salvation.

Jesus is well aware of his relationship with the Father. He knows that the Father put everything in his hands and that he is the only way to the Father. For us to know the Father, we must learn from the Son, Jesus Christ. Only he can reveal the Father.

That’s why Jesus invites us to come to him. In him, we can find rest and peace. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Jesus is gentle and humble and in him we find God’s compassion and mercy. Jesus invites us to approach him with confidence and love, so that our “joy may be complete”: “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (Jn 15:11).