John Desing csc –
Readings: Is 26: 7-9, 12, 16-19; Mt 11: 28-30
Our life is a journey. For many of us the journey of life is wearisome, burdensome, and futile because along the way we encounter many challenges and hardships depending on our attitudes towards the inevitable circumstances of life. But there are some people whose journey of life is pleasant, adventurous, and joyful because their attitude towards their daily events is simply positive.
As Christians, our journey towards perfect union with the Lord is always a challenging one. We live in a situation where there is constant tug of war between truth and illusion, between real and unreal. Saying yes to Christ demands from us to say ‘No’ to many worldly things. At times our pride, self-righteousness and trusting in money rather than in God make us feel tiresome.
In this context, Jesus places an invitation to us to come to him so that we get rest in him. To rest is not to stop what has begun but it simply means to gain strength. More than anybody else Jesus knows our baggage well and hence we need to go to him in faith.
Just as Jesus trusted his Father and faced all challenges of life, we too are called to place our trust in Jesus who will help us to carry our daily cross.
Jesus never tells us to discard our challenges but to learn from him to face them boldly. We need to allow him to help us, for God always respects our freedom to accept or decline his invitation ‘Come to me’.