Mt. 11:25-30
I had been attending a training programme on Salesian pastoral accompaniment last week. The main highlights of the programmes were the group process, in we were asked to choose an event that we had as part of our pastoral experience and to prepare a short report containing how we accompanied a brother, students, or lay people. The report must contain details concerning the factual narration of that event, the pastoral plan that we exercised, observations, personal talk that we had, theological concern, psychological concern, sociological concern, the response of the pastor, the pastoral opportunity that we received, and finally the theological symbol in relation to the gospel. The second part was the report presentation in the group that contained a systematic analysis that included positive affirmations of the report presented, clarifications, analyses from different angles by other group members, what could have been other ways to solve this issue, and finally, all need to share their learning experience having listened to this event and need to find out a suitable gospel model. As part of this group process, one priest presented a report containing a conversation between a candidate in formation and the director. At the end, our animator asked all of us to share a gospel model fitting for the issue that we discussed. Some of the models suggested were: like the father, who accepted the prodigal son unconditionally, like Jesus, who was not judgmental towards the women caught in adultery; etc. Finally, the felicitator himself suggested a gospel model that touched all of us: “Come to me, all those who are labour I will give you rest.” He exhorted, like this priest who acted like Jesus the good shepherd, that all of us are called to grow into Christ, the good shepherd, and like Jesus, we need to shepherd all those who labour and lead them to rest.
Today’s gospel passage invites us to experience this shepherding love of Christ in our day-to-day lives. “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28) We approach Jesus often to witness a great miracle in our life. Do we ever search for strength to carry our cross? Or do we go to Jesus to experience his comforting presence that alleviates both our mental and physical burden. Jesus says: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt.11:29) Jesus presents himself as a role model to be imitated. Jesus never gave us a cross that we couldn’t carry. It is good to reflect on how Jesus managed to carry his cross. Like in your first, the human existence of Jesus was not merely God playing a human person; rather, he was fully human and fully divine. He had to undergo all the challenges of human existence, like any of us. What empowered him to remain meek and humble of heart was his constant communion with the Holy Trinity. It was hard for him to accept the chalice given by Abba Father for the redemption of humanity. At Gethsemane, we see how Jesus experienced the comfort of the Trinitarian Communion, and thus his humanity was empowered to fulfil the divine will. We need to grow into the meek and humble mindset of Jesus. Then, instead of relying on our own mental and intellectual capacities, we surrender ourselves to the Lord and try to take shelter in his presence.
Jesus also says: “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” (Mt.11:25) Once we humble ourselves before the Lord, only then will we be graced to depend on the Lord rather than rely on our own strength. In the first reading taken from the prophet Zechariah, we see the prophecy concerning Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Jesus enters Jerusalem as the Saviour and Messiah. He could have made it a very royal entry for a king or military leader, but instead he entered Jerusalem on a donkey as a king of peace. As we continue our faith journey, let us cultivate humility and meekness like that of Jesus in our lives so that we can shelter others and be shepherds, alleviating their pain and burdens