Yoke

“And why should I be anxious (or sad or lonely)? I am a daughter of God now...AND in half an hour.” (Saint Josemaría, emphasis added).

Christ as Leader (Unknown Artist)

I was talking to a couple of dear souls over the last few weeks, and I have been reflecting on the burdens in their lives – serious things that have had a significant impact on their life and their suffering during this life. And I was reflecting upon the overwhelming nature of such suffering. And then just when I thought I would be overwhelmed, I stumbled upon a beautiful message of hope in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, which said…

“Jesus said: ‘Come to Me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.’ (Matthew 11:28-30). And I have been reflecting on this apparent paradox of having a light burden and a light yoke.

After all, my own burdens at times have seemed so terribly heavy that I was unable to move for the sheer weight of them. And I KNOW that for those dear souls with whom I was speaking, that their burdens too are – at times – overwhelming. And so, this reflection started me thinking about this analogy of the YOKE that Christ calls us to take up. What does it mean?

Well, a yoke was a wooden cross piece that was fastened across the necks of two animals and most importantly, it was not weighted evenly. One side of the yoke was weighted down with a heavier burden than the other. This meant that a farmer could pair a weak bollock with a strong one and together they could work in his field or tow a wagon or cart. You see, the yoke would very often be used to draw a plough through the earth for planting.

And this means that when Christ invites us to take up His yoke, He is inviting us to participate in our experience of suffering – SHARED WITH HIM. And He carries the heavier side! In other words, while I lament my own suffering at times, I have forgotten to lament the GREATER suffering of GOD HIMSELF… For He bears the heavier weight…

And this is important. Because it means that I have never (and would never) suffer pointlessly or in isolation. All my suffering can bear fruit, for just as the yoke is dragged for a purpose, so too does my suffering plough furrows into my soul to bear spiritual fruit. And all my suffering is in company – I am not alone. Instead, I am walking beside GOD Himself. And this means that even if I cannot have the strength to bear my own suffering – my own burdens – God, who created the whole universe, is more than capable of bearing it for love of me…

And the Saints understood this! Once, when Saint Josemaría had a very important meeting one of his young students asked him, “Father, you have a critical meeting in half an hour, and still, you are so much at ease!” Saint Josemaría replied immediately, “And why should I be anxious ? I am a son of God now... AND in half an hour.” (emphasis added).

And I have been reflecting on that response. You see, I find that I too must ask myself, “And why should I be anxious (or sad or lonely)? I am a daughter of God now... AND FOREVER.”

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.