Burdens and Rest

Gospel: Matthew 11: 28-30

Every human being longs for rest and an easier burden from the struggles of life.  The message Jesus provides today is one that resonates with every human being in every time and every place.  There is not a single person who is without struggles, burdens, and fatigue.  It seems as if most of our lives are spent in search of just a little rest and a little easing of our burdens.  

The immediate audience of Jesus would be especially open to this message.  The people of Galilee experienced harsh oppression and dispossession of property and wealth at the hands of the Roman occupiers.  In addition, Galilee was the northern kingdom of ancient Israel and as such was shunned by the power structures of Judaism in Judea.  Collusion with the Roman occupiers to keep Galilee repressed added an additional burden on Jesus' audience.

Jesus comes to bring both material and spiritual rest and relief to people.  He came to heal the whole person - body, mind, and spirit - and to ease burdens in all aspects of our lives.  We await this coming in our lives, but we also respond to the call of Jesus to take part in this ministry of offering easement and rest for people in their struggles of life.  May Advent be a time when that coming of Jesus to us is a greater reality for our world today.