the e-Testament
Matthew 11: 25-30
“Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”
Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Prayer
Lord Jesus
I know that all human relations take time
if they are to grow and deepen.
This is also true of my relations
with You, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
which must grow over the course of my life.
However, this growth is not automatic;
time alone means nothing
unless I add earnest efforts to it.
You have inspired Your Church to set aside special times
when this growth can develop more intensely -
the special seasons of the Church Year.
If I fail to move toward You during these times,
I waste precious opportunities
and endanger my spiritual life.
Help me to take them seriously
and make a real attempt to use them well,
so that I may grow into the person
You want me to be.
Amen
Reflection
Dear Friends,
If you had to choose one of two options, of going from point A to point B by choosing the shortest way or the longest way, which would you choose? Or if you had to make a decision between watching a long, boring TV programme that takes very little effort, or working very hard just for a short time, what would you do? I don’t know exactly what you would choose, but this is what I would do. Probably, I would choose the easiest way and I’d watch the boring TV programme. Of course, we have to know the circumstances about these situations but generally each of us would like to choose the simplest way of doing anything.
This is quite similar to what Jesus was doing when he lived and he reminds us and teaches us by explaining to us important things in a simple way. ‘Come to me…’ – Jesus is telling us today and ‘you’ll get back your life’. For me these words are so simple and I ask myself, what can I do? The answer Roman is, just do it. It should be easy to answer this positively. Is this easy or difficult for you? Think about it because every single word Jesus speaks is important and powerful. If I tried to do what he is telling me to, I would probably be much stronger and better than I am now. You and I need his power, his Spirit and he offers us himself, but perhaps you don’t believe in him or perhaps you don’t want to spend some time with him because… Ask yourself WHY do I like him or why don’t I like him?
You and I may have some reasons for following him and listening to him or maybe not! Perhaps you are against him. Think about this! Answer these questions and this will help you to know a little bit more about Jesus’ presence in your life and about yourself as well. Don’t worry about giving the wrong answer because this is a rhetorical question and it is only between you and God.
If we want to know God, as every human heart does (consciously or not), we have only one recourse: Jesus Christ. If we go to him, look to him, study him, speak with him, follow him, and query those who have come to know him better than we have, we will discover God himself. If we lift our minds up to him, we will begin to think and see as he does, and if we give him our hearts, we will allow him to take the reins of our lives. God wants to be known and loved, and so he sent us Jesus Christ to be his self-revelation.
The mark of the child is trust. Children readily put their trust in those given charge over them. It is natural for children to depend on their parents, to follow unquestioningly their older brothers and sisters. By word and example (for example, in the Garden of Gethsemane) Jesus teaches us that intimacy with God requires trust above all. Faith is trusting that what God reveals is true; hope is trusting that what he promises will come about; love is trusting that what he asks us to do is what we should do. If we put our trust in God, and not in ourselves, we will find God.
I want to know you, Lord. I want to know what you care about, what you think about, what’s on your mind and in your heart. I want to know what makes you smile, what makes you frown. I want to discover the God who created me, who created all things. Jesus, your face reveals God’s face. Open my eyes, Lord, let me see you…
Lord, I know you don’t judge me, because you promise that you are meek and lowly of heart. How hard it is for me not to judge! How much grief I cause myself and others by my arrogance, and anger! I want to learn from you, Lord, and I know you want to teach me. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart more like yours…
Lord, why do I think I can do everything by myself? You designed me to need other people, to help other people, and to depend upon God for everything. This is the law of your universe. Like a little child in its mother’s arms, so I keep myself in you, O Lord. Teach me to trust you and to obey your will. Thy Kingdom come…
Fr Roman Szczypa SDB