Saturday, July 14, 2012

COME TO HIM (07-14-12)


Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

We all need rest.  As we work 5 or 6 days a week, we always look forward to Sunday (or for some, their day-off) in order to give ourselves some pampering (watch a movie, go to the mall, spa, sleep all day) or engage in soul-enriching activities (going to mass/Sunday services, retreat).  This would ensure a renewed energy when we go back to work the following day.

When you want rest, go to the Lord in prayer.  In the Gospel today Jesus says, “Come to me all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest”.  Only Him can give us total rest from all the troubles and problems of this world.  And as we let Him come into our hearts in prayer, that same state of rest will change us, yearning for His care and mercy all the more, for His Spirit is within us - “Your interests are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made his home in you”.  I am fully convinced that we should all spend a few hours in prayer every day.

Are you tired from work or are you burdened with cares and responsibilities?  Jesus said, “come to Me”.  We don’t have to grunt and strain on our own.  We will have help.  As we take Christ’s yoke upon us, we will learn from the one who knows how to handle suffering and trials.  Christ has chosen to give us a distinctive day of rest.  He has chosen to give us a special rest.  But we have to come to Him. When we come to Him, he has promised that He will give us rest for our souls. 

Seek Him and let Him enter your heart, your soul.  And feel the serenity, the peace, the quietness of it all.  Feel his gentleness as He carry you in His arms and let you feel the warmth of His embrace.  We will gain a peace in our souls as we see the burden lifted and the work made easy.  Christ calls us to fellowship under His yoke, to prepare the field for the Gospel.  Let Him free you, cleanse you and enable you to serve God.  It is pure joy and delight to live with Him and serve Him.

Almighty Father, You are peace and quietness for my soul.  Let Your Spirit come upon me as he whispers to me of gentleness.  Restore my soul, made weary and tired.  Refresh my spirit with the kindness of your Word and help me to be a refuge for others from their struggles.  Amen +

The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

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