REFLECTIONS TODAY

There will always be difficulties to encounter in this life. The question to ask is: How are we going to face them to the best of our ability and with grace? When we encounter problems, one of the first things that might be lost is our capacity to remain “gentle” (praüs), unable to exercise kindness. In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to learn from him, for he is gentle and humble of heart. He further invites us to take his yoke, for his yoke is “easy” (chrēstos) and his burden is light. The Greek adjective chrēstos may also mean “kind.” Jesus’ yoke is kind. He invites us to learn from him how to face our everyday struggles with grace and without losing our capacity to show kindness to others. Do we really want to learn from Jesus, following his example on how to face our difficulties in life with grace? Can we handle our everyday struggles without losing our gentleness and kindness? During this season of Advent, do we fervently pray that our hearts may be like that of Jesus?
First Reading • Is 40:25-31
To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: he leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! 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?” Do you not know or have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Gospel • Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, 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 yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.