We all like to receive invitations. During this Advent season we receive many invitations to parties and open houses. The most important invitation that we can receive this Advent is Jesus’ invitation in today’s Gospel: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus invites us to come to him and so to come to God. Jesus promises to teach us the true ways of God: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”
Jesus distinguishes his teachings from some of the religious teachers of his day, particularly some of the scribes and Pharisees: “They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.” (Matthew 23:4). These Jewish teachers place heavy burdens on people through their interpretation of the Torah, the Scripture. They make people scrupulous about keeping purity laws and what work can and cannot be done on the Sabbath. So, some of the Pharisees condemn Jesus for doing the “work” of healing on the Sabbath.
It is not only some Jewish teachers who place “heavy burdens hard to carry” on people but also some Christians teachers and preachers. As Christians we need to interpret the Law and the Scripture through the eyes and teaching of Jesus. This does not mean that anything goes since Jesus also talks about a “yoke.” Jesus however tells us that his yoke is easy:
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Jesus’ “yoke” is love: love of God and love of neighbor. Jesus’ “yoke” is feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, and visiting the imprisoned. (Matthew 25:31-45). We can never do this on our own and so Jesus invites each one of us: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus gives us the grace of God’s compassion and love.
Image: “Lace/Recycled Wedding Invitations” by aus_chick is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.