Thursday 17^th July – Thursday of week 15 of the year

Reflection: Matthew 11: 28-30

COME TO ME

Sometime, I was chatting with a friend about the turns and twists of life. He spoke about how he is trying to make a meaning of life as he turns 30. We spoke about mutual struggles; both of us having become orphans early and having to step out on our own on the world’s stage so early. We spoke about our academic struggles and how we are trying to create our path in the business world now, after school. Of course, it wasn’t long before we went into the sour and shady paths of our lives. We spoke about our struggles against sin, corruption at work place, failed relationships and parts of our memories that we wish never existed. It was reflective in some sort and almost despairing.

In so many ways, we saw our lives reflected in the lives of millions of youths across the globe. Yes, on the outside, there is glimmer, there are smiles and laughter, but on the inside, there is great guilt, frustration and fear. So many can’t live with the reality of their human lives; they just can’t seem to pull it all together. Many seek an easy escape, and resort to sex, pornography, sometimes, drugs and even suicide.

In the first reading of today, you could see a similar reflection, that of despair and hope, by the people of God. A reflection of their lives and their standing with their God. They felt guilt, fear, despair and sometimes they felt hope in the redeeming love of God who will always deliver them from their foes. And in the gospel we hear Jesus’ invitation……..come to me! He perfectly understands your sense of guilt, your loss, your fear and worries and indeed the burden you now bear. Yet, it is the Lord of life who calls, “come to me, you who are weary and heavy laden, for I will give you rest.”

Amidst the toils, up and downs of life, we can be sure of a safe haven in Christ, who is our sure anchor and hope. His message to us today is: you don’t need to carry it all alone; in fact, you don’t need to carry it at all. Just take it down and take my yoke upon you, and you will find peace for your soul.

PRAYER: Lord, we turn to you in the midst of our fears and worries, may our faces not be abashed, for we hope in your redeeming love. Do not let our foes triumph over us, but in your boundless mercy save us through Christ our Lord. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 486 – Why should we petition God?

God, who knows us through and through, knows what we need. Nevertheless, God wants us to ask, to turn to him in times of need, to cry out, implore, lament, call upon him, indeed, even to struggle with him in prayer.

HIDE A TREASURE: “For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever” Psalm 9:18 RSV-CE

Readings for today: Isaiah 26: 7-9, 12, 16-19; Psalm 102: 13-21; Matthew 11: 28-30