Sunday July 5: My Yoke is Easy

Diego Rivera, Vendedora de Flores (Flower Vendor)

God is faithful in all God’s words
and gracious in all God’s deeds.
God lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
- Psalm 145:13-14

Jesus said,“ 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.”
- Matthew 11:28-30

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These passages highlight the tender compassion that God has for all who carry heavy loads. The psalmist reassures us that Spirit tends to those who are weary—be it from toil, trauma, injustice, or any of life’s vicissitudes that saddle and strain the body and soul. And Jesus openly invites those of us who are burdened to take on his yoke, claiming that in doing so, we will find rest.

How is it possible for a yoke, a burden, to be light?

As contemplative writer Joy Andrews Hayter explains in her essay, “Thomas Keating’s Call to Wisdom,” the word for “yoke” in Aramaic, nira, translates as “the way or path of a teacher.” Jesus’ Way of the Heart entails releasing the small self’s burdensome desire for esteem, power, control, and security—relying instead on the living water of the Spirit, a current that buoys us up as we take on the yoke that leads to liberation. This “light burden” brings freedom from the heaviness of self-importance and its accompanying anxieties—and releases the energies of love, patience, peace, and steadfastness … those fruits of the Spirit that nourish and serve the human family. For Love, as Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Corinthians, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

This yoke is “easy” because the journey is a deeply shared one, the burden being carried with the Spirit and in relationship with other members of the body of Christ; it is a labor of love that does not depend on human effort alone. This is the humble, homeward path of heart through which the soul finds true work, true accompaniment, and true rest.

“If our religion has no deep joy and no inherent contentment about it, then it is not the real thing. If our religion is primarily fear of self, the world, and God; if it is primarily focused on meeting religious duties and obligations, then it is indeed a hard yoke and heavy burden. I’d go so far as to say that it’s hardly worthwhile. I think the promise from Jesus that his burden is easy and light seeks to reassure us that rigid and humorless religion is not his way and certainly not the only way.

“It is God within us that loves God, so seek joy in God and peace within; seek to rest in the good, the true, and the beautiful. It is the only resting place that also allows us to bear the darkness.”
- Richard Rohr, adapted from Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self

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“Jesus wants us to come to him and learn from him in a continuing relationship. He will equip us, teach us, and guide us to be effective in life and service. … [In] partnership and communion with him, he promises that we will find rest and refreshment for our souls. In the process, we will become more like our rabbi Jesus: gentle … and humble in heart. …

“We do have a yoke, an interpretation of Scripture to live by. And we do have a burden, responsibilities as followers and servants of Jesus. But if we fulfill our role with Jesus close to us, sharing the load … then our work will not become tiresome or burdensome.”
- Margaret Mowczko, “Come to Me,” blog, August 30, 2010

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• Prayerfully re-read these passages again in the manner of Lectio Divina, reading them aloud to engage more of your senses and feel the vibrations in your body. Gaze at the image. What do you receive for your journey now?

• Before your silence, remember to release any but the necessary tension in the body. Perhaps start with the face and tighten it, take three slow breaths, and relax it; then hold out an arm and do the same… and the other arm… all the way down the body to the toes. Consider checking in with the body throughout the day in a similar manner (see Charlotte Joko Beck, Ordinary Wonder).

• This week, as you continue to ponder Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11: 28-30, try a “taking and sending” breathing practice. This is closely related to the Buddhist practice of Tonglen. (Read more about Tonglen meditation HERE). When you find yourself in a moment of pain, frustration, anger, or weariness – any troubling emotional reaction – notice what you are feeling and “take it in” by inhaling deeply. As you do this, recognize also that there are probably thousands, even millions, of people who are having the same distressing experience in this exact moment. Then as you exhale, send out blessing, peace, fortitude, nourishment – any benefit from the Spirit (who is always breathing in us and with us) – to all who are “laboring” with you in that moment. Inhale and exhale several times, alternately noticing, taking in, and sending out. Do you notice a shift in your body and heart as you take and send? Consider sharing your experiences with this in the community forum.

• View Fr. Thomas Keating’s full 2005 sermon on Matthew 11: 25-30, “Growing Up,” HERE (about 20 minutes). Take note of his explication of the words “yoke” and “sweet” and their connection to the practice of Centering Prayer.

• You may listen to the audio recording of today’s reflection here (about 15 minutes long).

• Please share your reflections and comments, or you can “like” using the heart icon. Post prayer requests here. By clicking on the Subscribe link, you can receive email notifications when someone posts a prayer request.

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There are three live Word of the Week prayer groups meeting weekly to support your journey. Each prayer group has a slightly different reflection excerpt, therefore some participants attend more than one. You can use this time zone converter to assist in calculating the prayer groups in your local time.

• Tuesday, 9:00-10:00 AM Eastern (New York) Time (UTC/GMT offset -5 hours)

• Wednesday, 6:00-7:00 PM Eastern (New York) Time (UTC/GMT offset -5 hours)

For these two groups, use this link to join OR click-on “join meeting,” and enter meeting ID 445 909 4698. When prompted for a passcode, use COL.

• Thursday, 8:00-9:00 AM Eastern (New York) Time (UTC/GMT offset -5 hours). This groups meets on Meditation Chapel in the Wisdom Chapel. Use this link to join the group. Be sure to register with Meditation Chapel here if you are not already.

Additional opportunities to support your silent prayer practice and spiritual journey are offered in The Meditation Chapel, a Zoom-enabled, worldwide meditation community. All groups are free and open to all. Read more about groups on The Meditation Chapel here.