Labors and burdens vs. rest: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Listen to the homily here.

Notes:

We live in a busy, busy culture

·      And I believe that we listened to an important gift from God in our lives

 “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened…”

·      What do you labor?  What are you burdened?

o   Raising children?

o   Challenging your health?

o   Loneliness?

o   Work?  Unemployment?

o   Sinfulness?

·      What can you bring to the light at Mass?

This is what Jesus wants to give us: “…and I will give you rest.”

·      Well how should we rest?

·      Personally, I think it is important to:

o   Sleep

o   Exercise

o   Pray

§  One moment

§  Five minutes

§  Half an hour

§  Memorized prayers

§  Journal

§  Mass

“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 can only be “easy” if Jesus is in your life

·      Your burden can only be light if you find rest

No matter where we are, we must open our hearts

·      We cannot control many things

·      But God can

Mark 6:30   The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.  31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.  32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.