THE WORD
Is 40: 25–31 / Mt 11: 28–30
“Come to me,” Jesus invites us, “all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
IN OTHER WORDS
A Japanese unbeliever was saying to a Filipino friend, “You Catholics are very lucky. If you are happy, you have Someone to thank for. If you have problems you have Someone to carry to.”
This is a fitting description of the followers of Jesus. Our God is not up there nor down under. Our God is close to us; in fact, he became one of us to search for those who have gone astray in life to bring back to the Father in heaven. He ate with us, he touched us and healed us.
Even when he had finished his task on earth, he promised to be with us until the end of time. So he sent us his Spirit and left us a community that will bring his presence concretely among us.
Although his passion was to make us love him, he left us free to respond to his love. In the Gospel today he invites, “Come to me.” In effect he says, “If you are happy, I’ll share with your joy. If you are crushed by problems or sickness, I’ll be with you; so you won’t be alone.”
Advent is a preparation for his coming. He comes to give “strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound.” (1st reading)
A good Advent prayer would be “Lord, come and be with me always.”
- Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD (DSWT, Tagaytay City)
The Word in other words 2015
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
