Gospel
From the Gospel according to Matthew. Mt 11, 25-30
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Sharing the Yoke
Thank you, Lord, for your words. Have you really revealed these things to the little ones? Of course you have! because when I think I know how things are, I only listen to myself and not to You.
Lord, I truly know nothing. I want to listen to You.
Lord, I truly know nothing. I want to listen to You.
Am I tired and overwhelmed? Yes, many times. So, what should I do? Once again, You couldn’t be clearer: I must go to You, and You will give me rest. And to take Your yoke? Of course! because when I try to carry everything by myself, the load becomes too heavy. But when I take Your yoke, You carry it with me. If I carry the yoke with You and with my spouse (literally “conjugal,” sharing the yoke), the burden becomes light, because we’re united, both of us, and united with You.
And how should I do it? With gentleness and humility. Knowing that I know nothing, that You know everything, that You can do all things. That my real enemy is my self-love. That the remedy is love for You and for my spouse above all else. Not my will, but Yours and hers/his.
Thank you, Lord. I hear You, and with Your help, I’ll go forward together with my spouse.
Applied to married life:
Teena: Mathew, I can’t take it anymore! I’m exhausted! I have to do everything myself!
Matthew: Sweetheart, please, let me help you.
Teena: I wish you would! I’ve been asking all day and you haven’t listened!
Matthew: I’m sorry, really. I didn’t realize. But please, remember what we agreed on: let’s pray first.
Teena: Oh, come on… (but she lets the Spirit guide her) Okay, fine, let’s pray.
(They begin to pray together)
Matthew: Lord, I ask your forgiveness. Teena, I ask your forgiveness too. Lord, help me be more attentive to my wife.
Teena: Lord, forgive me for losing my patience. Carlos, forgive me too. Lord, with You I can do all things; without You, nothing. Help me to give of myself without counting the cost, and to trust that I can rely on Carlos, even when I don’t understand how he doesn’t see what I need. Thank You for giving me this chance to grow in gentleness and humility.
Matthew: Lord, thank You for giving me the best wife in the world. Forgive me for sometimes focusing more on my own stuff than on her. Thank you, Teresa, for being so wonderful.
Teena: Thank You, Lord. Thank you, Carlos, you’re amazing! And now, help me because together with the Lord, we can do anything.
Mother,
Please help us truly listen to Your Son and to follow Him. Don’t let the world overwhelm us. Help us live close to You, with You doing His will, always united with my spouse. Praised be Your Son forever!