Life can seem really hard and difficult at times. Often, we feel overwhelmed and crushed for long periods of time. Some people even live their whole lives feeling that way. This of course leads us to feel abandoned by God; sometimes even punished by God. We let our relationship with God deteriorate and evaporate. This feeling of exclusion, oppression, abandonment, punishment, isolation, and loneliness is a common feeling and attitude towards our life with others and our life with God in this modern society that we have built. That is why sadness, suicide, and depression are so common in our society – even among our young people and children.
In today’s Gospel Jesus presents us with a completely different view and experience regarding life. First of all, he calls all to himself. There are no exclusions, requirements, or barriers. Everyone is invited: Come to me all.
He does not promise to remove life’s difficulties or turn our life into a bed of roses. Most of us yearn for a different life with no troubles or difficulties. We even devote a lot of our prayer time to requesting the elimination of what we perceive as undesirable problems. Rather, he calls us to take on his yoke.
That seems such a strange image to describe an easy, restful, and joyful life. A yoke is for beasts of burden who have to work hard –- plowing fields or pulling cargo. Not my idea of a good life. But look, a yoke requires a minimum of two for function. Jesus is saying that we are not alone. He is always there at our side sharing his life with ours. Through his incarnation, Jesus comes to share our human life. Then in his death and resurrection, he redeems all aspects of human life. A true Christian lives intimately connected to Jesus and finds support in that relationship. But also, a true Christian lives intimately connected to other Christians and the whole Christian community. Being yoked to Jesus and the Christian community gives us strength, hope, and support.
A meek and humble heart dedicated to Jesus’ yoke, the cross, finds rest. But not only rest, but confidence and strength to continue living. Life is no longer a burden full of punishments. Life becomes a joy.
I had this phrase from today’s Gospel painted on the façade of the adult catechetical center in Lima. It is central in the life of the Christian community.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Image: Canva CJ Dunn 12July2026 AI Generated.