Yoke

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Yoke

Of   Christ

Surrender   Trust   Yield

Come To Me     Rest

Dwell

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 11:28 to 30

"Come to Me, all you who work and carry a heavy load, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn my ways. I am meek and gentle of heart, and you will find rest when you dwell with Me. For My yoke is easy, and My burden light."

Reflection

When I think about yoke, I see two large animals working together with a plow to prepare the soil for planting. Because they are bound together, they are able to work more efficiently and accomplish so much more.

Jesus takes this everyday image and transforms it. He knows that we carry many burdens in our lives: our worries for family; our concerns about our community and our country; and our struggle to make ends meet. He invites us to come to Him with all our struggles and to give those to Him so we can find some relief.

He is inviting us to be yoked to Him. I picture closeness and intimacy with Jesus as He places His yoke around us and invites us to dwell with Him.

What an amazing invitation. All those worries and struggles can drag us down. Jesus does not want that for us. He wants us to thrive.

The words of Pope Francis to priests echo in my mind when I ponder this scripture. He always emphasizes that the priests should be careful to avoid placing any unnecessary burdens on penitents when they are hearing confessions. 

He urges the priests to follow the example of Jesus and to lighten the loads of those who come to them. It is a wonderful example for all of us to follow.

Let us stay yoked to Jesus and to share the rest and refreshment He wants to give to us with each person we meet. 

1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word yoke?

2. What burdens would you like to give to Jesus?

3. How do you feel when you think of being yoked to Jesus?

4. What do you feel as you ponder Kathy's photo?

(scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)