Custom Yoke of Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the human folly of reluctance to seek help, especially for our spiritual needs.

Yoked for Support

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah proclaims the Promise of Salvation.

* [40:1–55:13] Chapters 40–55 are usually designated Second Isaiah (or Deutero-Isaiah) and are believed to have been written by an anonymous prophet toward the end of the Babylonian exile…

 

* [40:26] Created: see note on Gn 1:1–2:3. By name: for he is their Creator.

* [40:27–28] The exiles, here called Jacob-Israel (Gn 32:29), must not give way to discouragement: their Lord is the eternal God. (“Isaiah, CHAPTER 40 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Psalm 103 praises God for personal benefits and mercy toward all the people.

 

* [Psalm 103] The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Ps 103:1–5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Ps 103:6–18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Ps 103:11–13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Ps 103:14–18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Ps 103:19–22). (“Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB,” n.d.)

The Gospel of Matthew proclaims The Gentle Mastery of Christ.

* [11:28–29] These verses are peculiar to Matthew and are similar to Ben Sirach’s invitation to learn wisdom and submit to her yoke (Sir 51:23, 26).

* [11:28] Who labor and are burdened: burdened by the law as expounded by the scribes and Pharisees (Mt 23:4).

* [11:29] In place of the yoke of the law, complicated by scribal interpretation, Jesus invites the burdened to take the yoke of obedience to his word, under which they will find rest; cf. Jer 6:16. (“Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB,” n.d.)

Mary Lee Brock shares about being inspired by Jesus to turn my back on the hubris of taking on all the responsibility for the agency and choosing instead to become meek and humble of heart, I found the strength to be a true peacemaker for people grappling with conflict. But how is it that such a life-changing lesson can be forgotten?

There have been many times when I have felt I was carrying a burden alone before remembering God is with me. The reading from Isaiah reminds us: They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. This brings me hope when I feel exhausted and overwhelmed by devastating local, national, and world events. God is asking us to truly live our faith. To take action when possible. To listen to learn. To advocate for those who need support. With God, we will have renewed strength to meet life’s challenges.

When we are feeling alone or exhausted or demoralized or angry or shame, we can find comfort in the image of God in today’s Psalm. He pardons all your iniquities; He heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction; He crowns you with kindness and compassion. What a beautiful promise!

In this season of Advent, I reflect on these questions: How can I help someone know they are not alone? What will help me remember that God will renew my strength? Where can I take action to make a difference, knowing that I am not carrying the burden alone?

And today I pray for the grace to appreciate God in the small, quiet moments of my life.

Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. (Brock, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Grace bear us,” by an anonymous early author from the Greek church.

"'My yoke is easy and my burden light.' ... The prophet says this about the burden of sinners: 'Because my iniquities lie on top of my head, so they have also placed a heavy burden on me' (Psalm 38:4)' ...'Place my yoke upon you, and learn from me that I am gentle and humble of heart.' Oh, what a very pleasing weight that strengthens even more those who carry it! For the weight of earthly masters gradually destroys the strength of their servants, but the weight of Christ rather helps the one who bears it, because we do not bear grace; grace bears us. It is not for us to help grace, but rather grace has been given to aid us.' (excerpt from INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY, the Greek fathers). (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 11:28-30 comments that as we walk beside Jesus, we are learning from him (Matthew 11:29). Since he is right next to us, we can enter into his relationship with his Father. We can take on his way of thinking, and we can begin to look at the people around us through his eyes. We can learn how to walk as he walks, in mercy and justice and compassion. This is how we fulfill the Law: we come to Jesus and listen, we come to him and learn, and we come and walk beside our perfect Teacher.

What burdens are you carrying today? Whatever they are, come to Jesus and take up his yoke. Let go of perfectionism or self-sufficiency. Let go of feelings of shame for not measuring up. Jesus is calling you to walk beside him, yoked to him. He is calling you to stay close to him and learn from him, to grow in likeness to him. As you draw close to his meek and humble heart, you will find that his “yoke is easy, and [his] burden light” (Matthew 11:30).

“Jesus, I am overjoyed to be yoked to you. Thank you for loving me, guiding me, and walking every step with me.” (“Meditation on Matthew 11:28-30,” 2025)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Book of Isaiah continues a strength message in the Babylonian exile when the people wondered if God was weaker than the Babylonian god Marduk. God created all things and strengthened them to soar on eagle’s wings. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus invites “Come all who are burdened”, to accept the custom carved yoke for two that is made for Jesus to carry with us and avoid crooked farrows with a lighter burden. Jesus wants our involvement in the work of salvation as collaborators with God. Friar Jude invites us to carry our share of the load.

Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the thorn in Paul's side, a weakness that he struggled with and begged God to take away. Fr. Mike invites us to reflect on our own thorn that God doesn't seem to take away, and to remember that God's grace is sufficient for us. Today's readings are Acts 23, 2 Corinthians 12-13, and Proverbs 29:8-11.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that John of the Cross describes the doubt that disrupts a soul in the dark night, when all sense of knowing God is absent. Mirabai Starr translates from John’s classic work Dark Night of the Soul.

The soul might continue to have qualms about wasting time. She may wonder if it would not be better to be doing something else, since she cannot think or activate anything in prayer. Let her bear these doubts calmly. There is no other way to go to prayer now than to surrender to this sweet ease and breadth of spirit. If the soul tries to engage her interior faculties to accomplish something, she will squander the goodness God is instilling in her through the peace in which she is simply resting….

The best thing for the soul to do is to pay no attention to the fact that the actions of her faculties are slipping away…. She needs to get out of the way. In peaceful plentitude, let her now say “yes” to the infused contemplation God is bestowing upon her…. Contemplation is nothing other than a secret, peaceful, loving inflow of God. If given room, it will fire the soul in the spirit of love. (Rohr, n.d.)

When our burdens take precedence in our consciousness, we might Stop, Take a breath, Observe our environment and Proceed in the acceptance of Jesus invitation to yoke with us on our journey.

References

Brock, M. L. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 10, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-10-2025 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 40 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 10, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/40?25 

Matthew, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 10, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?28 

Meditation on Matthew 11:28-30. (2025, December 10). Word Among Us.

Psalms, PSALM 103 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 10, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/103?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 10, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/surviving-doubt/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Come to Me and I Will Give You Rest. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 10, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Credibility and Presence

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the credentials that underline the fullness of life in the teachers and prophets that we encounter as we seek to live aware of the Presence.

Credible Teaching

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians urges Vigilance.

* [5:5] Children of the light: that is, belonging to the daylight of God’s personal revelation and expected to achieve it (an analogous development of imagery that appears in Jn 12:36).

* [5:10] Characteristically, Paul plays on words suggesting ultimate and anticipated death and life. Union with the crucified and risen Lord at his parousia is anticipated in some measure in contrasted states of our temporal life. The essential element he urges is our indestructible personal union in Christ’s own life (see Rom 5:1–10). (1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 27 Asserts boundless hope that God will bring rescue.

* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus' Cure of a Demoniac.

* [4:31–44] The next several incidents in Jesus’ ministry take place in Capernaum and are based on Luke’s source, Mk 1:21–39. To the previous portrait of Jesus as prophet (Lk 4:16–30) they now add a presentation of him as teacher (Lk 4:31–32), exorcist (Lk 4:32–37, 41), healer (Lk 4:38–40), and proclaimer of God’s kingdom (Lk 4:43).

* [4:34] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. Have you come to destroy us?: the question reflects the current belief that before the day of the Lord control over humanity would be wrested from the evil spirits, evil destroyed, and God’s authority over humanity reestablished. The synoptic gospel tradition presents Jesus carrying out this task. (Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

A Member of the Creighton University Community comments that when we see flyers announcing lectures, we often read a listing of “credentials”: diplomas, experience, degrees… It is such cred-entials that are supposed to render the lecture cred-ible.

Jesus had neither degrees nor diplomas: what is there about his word? or in Nazareth: where did he learn all this?. Yet he spoke with authority: what he said came from his heart, from inner conviction …not like the scribes. The scribes needed to quote their Torah, in order to be credible. Jesus did at times also quote Scripture, but he dared to move beyond its literal sense: you have heard… but I say to you… He was not authoritarian, he was authoritative.

His authority was not political clout or temple power, it was moral authority that came from his life witness: who among you can convict me of sin? When life witness is present, there is no need for external cred-entials. Beyond speaking with authority Jesus was living with authority. Pope Francis speaks with authority, because he lives with authority. (Credibility in Teaching, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “New creation begins on the Sabbath,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"He describes the works of divine healing begun on the sabbath day, to show from the outset that the new creation began where the old creation ceased. He showed us that the Son of God is not under the law but above the law, and that the law will not be destroyed but fulfilled (Matthew 5:17). For the world was not made through the law but by the Word, as we read: 'By the Word of the Lord were the heavens established' (Psalm 33:6). Thus the law is not destroyed but fulfilled, so that the renewal of humankind, already in error, may occur. The apostle too says, 'Stripping yourselves of the old man, put on the new, who was created according to Christ' (Colossians 3:9-10, Ephesians 4:22,24). He fittingly began on the sabbath, that he may show himself as Creator. He completed the work that he had already begun by weaving together works with works. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 4.58) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11 comments that Jesus and Paul’s call for us to be ready for something that could happen any day is really a call to balance two impulses. We should be “alert,” as St. Paul says, but not anxious (1 Thessalonians 5:6). But how do we do that?

You don’t have to feel trapped in fear over the thought of Jesus’ return. You are one of countless “children of the light and children of the day” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). The more attentive you are to the One who loves you, the more excited you will be for that day!

“Jesus, help me to be ready to greet you.” (Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the readings for today. The first part of the First Letter of Paul to the  Thessalonians speaks of the sudden coming of the end. In 1 Corinthians Paul believed there was not enough time to get married before the end. In the end of the passage the parenesis begins and reminds the community they are children of the light using a dualistic practice declaring while pagans they did live in the dark. Jesus is here for them. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches in the synagogue where he is encountered by an evil spirit who recognizes Him and Jesus exorcises the spirit. Friar Jude notes He frees captives, set people free and heals the sick.

Fr. Richard Rohr introduces CAC core faculty member Carmen Acevedo Butcher who offers a modern translation of Nicolas Herman, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, Practice of the Presence, instruction to “work gently”.

During our work and other activities, even during our reading and writing, no matter how spiritual, … we must stop for a brief moment, as often as we can, to love God deep in our heart, to savor them, even though this is brief and in secret. Since you are aware that God is present before you during your actions, that they are in the deep center of your soul, why not stop your activities and even your vocal prayers, at least from time to time, to love God, praise them, ask for their help, offer them your heart, and thank them?…  

Ultimately, we can offer God no greater evidence of our faithfulness than by frequently detaching and turning from all things created so we can enjoy their Creator for a single moment. I don’t mean to give the impression, though, that you should stop working or abandon your duties. That would be impossible. Wisdom, the mother of all our spiritual strengths, will be your guide. I am saying, however, that it is a common oversight among spiritually minded people not to turn from outside engagements from time to time to worship God within ourselves and enjoy in peace some small moments of their divine presence.  (Rohr, n.d.)

We are restored by the Spirit in our moments of anxiety and distress by STOPing to invoke our sense of the Presence of the Divine as our companion on our journey.

STOP

TAKE A BREATH

OBSERVE

PROCEDE

References

Credibility in Teaching. (n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-3-2019 

Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?31 

Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11. (n.d.). Word Among Us Homepage. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/09/02/1372765/ 

1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/5?1 

Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/work-gently/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). His Word Was with Authority and Power. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep2