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"Salvator Mundi" by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1500’s
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Commentary:
Reading 1: Isaiah 40:25-31
Commentary on Is 40:25-31
In this passage from Isaiah, the Prophet is chastising the faithful for losing hope, not understanding that God has not forgotten the children in exile: “Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’?” He follows this critical challenge with a statement of the fidelity of God, and hope that comes through faith. He indicates the strength gained in faith in God is unbounded: “They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.”
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10
R. (1) O bless the Lord, my soul!
Commentary on Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10
This hymn of praise focuses on God’s power and will to heal all ills and to support us in times of trouble. It is through his own will that he does this. "This is not a 'primitive mode of speech', but a profound way of recalling God's primacy and absolute Lordship over history and the world, and so of educating his people to trust in him. The prayer of the Psalms is the great school of this trust."[4]
CCC: Ps 103 304
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Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30
Commentary on Mt 11:28-30
In this passage, Jesus invites those burdened by the yoke of Pharisaic Law to believe in him. Obedience to the word of Christ is much easier than the complex rules of the Law under scribal interpretation. This “wisdom” saying of Jesus builds upon that found in Sirach 51:23-27.
In this passage, Jesus invites those burdened by the yoke of Pharisaic Law to believe in him. Obedience to the word of Christ is much easier than the complex rules of the Law under scribal interpretation. This “wisdom” saying of Jesus builds upon that found in Sirach 51:23-27.
With heart-piercing tenderness, Jesus' invitation to peace and salvation is best expressed in these two verses. The Lord invites us to be placed under the authority of his word ("Take my yoke…"), and there we will find rest. Jesus addresses all who are burdened by the requirements of the lives they live. He offers them the help of God, who takes those burdens of pain, fear, and fatigue upon himself, replacing them with the yoke of God’s kingdom. Quoting Jeremiah 6:16, he calls the weary to follow his way.
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Reflection:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
What a gracious invitation from Jesus. Scripture scholars tell us that the reference made to a “burden” in this passage is to the burden of Pharisaic Law with all its complex requirements that made it difficult even to go about one’s daily business without violating some minute requirement. This, say those who study the ancient texts, was the original purpose for the statement.
For those of us who walk in the world and hear the simple words: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” they say much more. They invite us to place all of life’s burdens at the feet of Christ. His invitation tells us he will take away the fears and sorrows, the anxiety and dread we feel, and leave peace in their place.
It is so simple an offer. We can almost feel it being made as he hung upon the cross for us. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” He takes away the intense guilt we feel, he washes us from all the ways in which we have turned from him, and leaves us light and pure.
What is the catch, our skeptical inner voice may ask? The catch is that we must open our hearts and accept that invitation. We need to put the burdens down, not cling to them as we often do. One of the most difficult spiritual steps we must take is having faith in the forgiveness of the Lord. We must forgive ourselves. We must lay our hatred, our jealousy, our greed, and our fear at his feet. If we can do that, his tender yoke is indeed no burden at all, and he will guide us to his peace.
Pax
[1] The picture is "Salvator Mundi" by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1500’s
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