Let us pray: Jesus, you never cease inviting us to come to you…to follow you. No matter how much we turn away and decline your earlier invitations, you just keep sending more to us.
Give us the gift of acceptance no matter what the price. Let us enter into a loving relationship with you. Show us how to be laborers in your field because without you, we accomplish nothing. But with you all is done in God's name. Amen.
Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/072006.shtml
The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level. Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD,we look to you; Your name and your title are the desire of our souls. My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; When your judgment dawns upon the earth,the world’s inhabitants learn justice. O LORD, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done. Isaiah 26:7-12
“Come to me.” Matthew 11:28
When you are at a great party, there are three kinds of people there – those who planned the party, those who are guests and those who are the workers.
The planners start by designing a party where everyone will feel special. The planners consider what the guests will eat. What the guests will drink. Who will entertain the guests? Who will be the keynote speaker? They can’t forget about the guest list. Who will attend? Sometimes, when word gets out that someone famous or special will be there, even more people attend (or want to). Maybe even the paparazzi will watch for your celebrities.
The planners bring along workers to help prepare the food and drink, decorators to make the location festive, servers to serve the guests, and cleaners to sweep up after the festivities.
The guests go to their mailbox one day and see a pretty envelope. Or maybe a fancy card. Sometimes invites come by e-mail. Sometimes by phone and sometimes by word of mouth. Sometimes someone else is invited and they bring you as their guest.
Imagine getting the invitation. What makes you want to go? The beer and wine? The cakes and candies? The main course? To be seen. To see. To bask in goodness?
Today, Jesus is throwing a party. He doesn’t invite kings and queens. He doesn’t invite eloquent speakers. He doesn’t hire the best entertainers this side of Nazareth. He invites us to attend. He invites the workers, the servers, the cleaners, all who labor and are burdened. Jesus has special affection for the workers – especially those who are alone in the world. He offers rest to the weary. He promises to them holy hospitality.
Jesus invites us into relationship with Him. We are asked to come to Him and accept the yoke He offers. He asks us to join his community of yoke-bearers…for his yoke is easy and his burden light.
Jesus – offering us his yoke, his relationship – is offering up Himself to serve as the model for humanity. Jesus is the model to whom both God and Mary tell us to heed. “Listen to Him.”
The Jesus-model is the norm of our new life. He wants us to love each other as He has loved us. We must offer ourselves wearing his yoke of love. Sharing as His example shared. “Forget yourself and you will discover what you are seeking.” (John McQuiston II, Always We Begin Again)
That beauty of that Holy Model is perhaps most eloquently described by Isaiah in today’s first reading.
The desire of souls yearning.
Yearning in the night…and the day…and the morning…and the afternoon…and the evening.
Dawn upon the earth.
Mete out peace.
Accomplish all for us.
So pish-posh to the advertisers. Let them writhe in delivery pain trying to make and sell us something better than all that!
Ah, His yoke is the cross. What could be better than that!?
Action
Call it a yoke. Call it a cross. Call it a mission. The Jesus-invitation comes to us as an call to serve. We should share in the labor and take turns in the service. Say Yes. Do not be a burden or add to the burdens of others. Relieve the burden of others.
Today brought many invitations to serve in many ways. Write this report. Answer this call. Send this report. Lead this meeting. Drive this way. Prepare this meal. Welcome this visitor. Open your heart to someone who is ill. Let this car, truck or pedestrian cross in front of you. Write to Governor Kaine and evangelize about the death penalty decision he faces.
What invitations will you accept tomorrow?
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