Come and Rest
Some might say, “God never gives us more than we can handle.” At times it can seem as though He does. Others might say, “Give it (whatever the issue) to God”. As if it were some sort of gift.
I have a very dear friend who has suffered with chronic depression for years. I have no personal experience with this debilitating disease. From my perspective, I see a prayerful, grace-filled, self-reflective person. A person of faith. A person who lives most days and nights in degrees of suffering and pain – mental and physical. Depression, as described to me, is like being deep within such darkness that with eyes open there is still no sight – endless blackness prevails. Not seeing any way out of the dark. Somehow, at some point there seems to be a sort of surfacing. Bruised, battered and fragile. This sense of being relatively “better” can last days, weeks or months. Eventually the dark returns. Through all of it, my friend has been in treatment, therapy, and on medication. Through all of it, there has been ‘hope’. Even when ‘hope’ seemed to have no meaning. As in scriptural lamentations, desperate cries of helplessness to God to take whatever burden away have not seemingly lightened or removed the “labor or burden”. Still hope survives.
A neighbor stands accused of a very heinous crime against a child. Guilty or innocent, I have no way of knowing. As might a Samaritan of Jesus’ culture, prior to any legal action, my neighbor stands tried and convicted by bystanders. I cannot begin to fathom the pain and suffering of the situation. Not only the person, but family and friends suffer as well. Shunned by neighbors, ‘friends’ and even family.
In today’s reading in Matthew we do not hear Jesus say anything to the effect that ‘you’ can handle it. Or, just give me all your sorrows, pains and suffering. I’ll take care of it all; I will fix it.
What we do hear is “…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.” Jesus is saying to us, I will teach you how to carry your own burdens. I will help you carry your burdens. Watch, listen and learn from me. Jesus wants us to come to him, invite him into our hearts, share our joys and sorrows with him. Let Me in, I can help you. Isaiah says “He (God) does not faint or grow weary…” as we often do. Jesus is meek, humble, gentle, kind and compassionate. He too lived in faith and hope in his Father. He too labored and grew weary. He too carried burdens and labored. Jesus’ invitation is to ‘come’, be with me in my burdens and I will be with you in yours. We will walk together. Isaiah reminds us, “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength…” Jesus says, “I will give you rest”.
Joan Blandin Howard
After working and teaching at Creighton for many years, I am officially retired, but hardly so. Having 5 adult children, in-laws, and 11 grandchildren I keep pretty busy! My husband and I spend hours in our garden planting, pruning, dead-heading and of course weeding and mowing! We spend even more time sitting in our garden, delighting in its beauty. The beauty overwhelms me and invities me into a space of en-Joy-ment and gratitude to the Creator and Artist of all. I have much for which to be grateful. I also like to travel, read, write and make art. My ministry of spiritual direction and silent retreats continues.
I count my blessings. You among them.
Initially I thought I was writing for myself. I use the readings as a source of personal prayer. I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend in prayer, study and preparation. The writing seems to be a natural end product. The wonderful e-mails I receive tell me that I am not writing just for me and they reconfirm my faith in the presence of the Lord, who speaks all languages, permeates untold experiences, and surfaces in the most ordinary of daily delights and disturbing distractions. That the Lord would speak through me is a gift I had not anticipated.
I thank you, the reader and fellow pilgrim, for joining us on our journey. God bless us.
