December 13, 2017Wednesday, 2nd Week of Advent1st Reading: Is 40:25–31Gospel: Mt 11:28–30
Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden is light.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
At a time when religious structures saddled the Jews with onerous laws Jesus said to them, “Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you.” These onerous laws included lots of enabling regulations originally intended to facilitate observance of the Ten Commandments. But they were too detailed. Coupled with the narrow interpretation and meticulous implementation by the religious authorities, these regulations became added burdens. The Rabbis themselves referred to them collectively as the “yoke of Torah”.
Jesus offered as alternative a law of love that was reduced to the essentials. Nonetheless it was still a burden because it demanded more depth in spirituality. Jesus warned: “For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and the Pharisees you will never get into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).
The same law of love has come down to us. It is still a burden, albeit lighter, because it engages the whole person “with all his heart with all his soul and with all his mind”. It could even be as heavy as the Torah because where the law of love is not narrow, meticulous and petty it prohibits not just murder but even anger. It prohibits not just adultery but also every lustful glance at a woman (Matthew 5: 21 ff.). It prescribes not just loving the neighbor but also loving the enemy.
In what manner then is the law of love lighter and more refreshing? Jesus said: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest.” A humble heart is the key! Experience tells us that any slight inconvenience is too heavy to the proud but too insignificant to the humble of heart. With grace from above that flows naturally to those who stoop low, the burden of love turns out to be light and easy to the humble of heart.
We who labor under the yoke of the love commandment can take advantage of the Advent Season to deepen the virtue of humility. Perhaps the following sentences with every word arranged alphabetically can help: “Arrogant believers consider disaster every failure. Go humble instead. Jesus knows. Life’s misfortunes never outdo Providence. Quit renouncing spirituality. Take up very willingly Xst’s yoke zealously.” – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email: [email protected].
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