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/ 

Thanksgiving and Temptation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to live in thanksgiving for the grace and life we receive from God.

Bread of Life

The reading from the Book of Deuteronomy urges Thanksgiving for the Harvest.

* [26:5] Aramean: probably in reference to the origin of the patriarchs from Aram Naharaim (cf. Gn 24:10; 25:20; 28:5; 31:20, 24). (Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 91 declares assurance of God’s Protection.

* [Psalm 91] A prayer of someone who has taken refuge in the Lord, possibly within the Temple (Ps 91:1–2). The psalmist is confident that God’s presence will protect the people in every dangerous situation (Ps 91:3–13). The final verses are an oracle of salvation promising salvation to those who trust in God (Ps 91:14–16). (Psalms, PSALM 91 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans identifies some hazards of following Christ.

* [10:9–11] To confess Jesus as Lord was frequently quite hazardous in the first century (cf. Mt 10:18; 1 Thes 2:2; 1 Pt 2:18–21; 3:14). For a Jew it could mean disruption of normal familial and other social relationships, including great economic sacrifice. In the face of penalties imposed by the secular world, Christians are assured that no one who believes in Jesus will be put to shame (Rom 10:11). (Romans, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Temptation of Jesus.

* [4:1] Filled with the holy Spirit: as a result of the descent of the Spirit upon him at his baptism (Lk 3:21–22), Jesus is now equipped to overcome the devil. Just as the Spirit is prominent at this early stage of Jesus’ ministry (Lk 4:1, 14, 18), so too it will be at the beginning of the period of the church in Acts (Acts 1:4; 2:4, 17).

* [4:2] For forty days: the mention of forty days recalls the forty years of the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites during the Exodus (Dt 8:2).

* [4:9] To Jerusalem: the Lucan order of the temptations concludes on the parapet of the temple in Jerusalem, the city of destiny in Luke-Acts. It is in Jerusalem that Jesus will ultimately face his destiny (Lk 9:51; 13:33).

* [4:13] For a time: the devil’s opportune time will occur before the passion and death of Jesus (Lk 22:3, 31–32, 53). (Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Hopp comments that we need to carefully consider how indeed we are choosing to respond to that love and to ponder how we are actually living out every moment of our life.

Dear Heavenly Father, as we seek to draw closer to you throughout this season of Lent, open our hearts to you.  Allow us to begin to grasp the enormity of your redeeming love. Help us to honestly evaluate how we are actually choosing to respond to our Lord and Savior’s calling. (Hopp, 2022)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus defeats Satan with the word of God,” by Ambrose of Milan (339-397 AD).

"So, look at the arms of Christ with which he conquered for you, not for himself. For he who showed that stones could, through his majesty, be changed into bread by the transformation into a different nature, teaches that you must do nothing at the devil's behalf nor for the purpose of manifesting virtue. At the same time, learn from the temptation itself the ingenious cunning of the devil. The devil tempts that he may test. He tests that he may tempt. In contrast, the Lord deceives that he may conquer. He conquers that he may deceive. For if he had changed nature, he would have betrayed its Creator. Thus he responded neutrally, saying, 'It is written, 'That man lives not by bread alone, but by every word of God.' You see what kind of arms he wields, to defend humanity, surrounded and protected against the inducements of appetite, against the assault of spiritual wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). For he does not wield power as God - for what good would that be to me? So, as man, he summons common help for himself, so that eager for the food of the divine Word, he neglects the body's hunger and obtains the nourishment of the heavenly Word. Eager for this, Moses did not desire bread (Exodus 24:18). Eager for this, Elijah did not feel the hunger of a long fast (1 Kings 19:4.) For he who follows the Word cannot desire earthly bread when he receives the essence of the heavenly Bread (John 6:32,50). There is no doubt that the divine surpasses the human, as the spiritual the physical. Therefore he who desires true life awaits that Bread which through its intangible substance strengthens human hearts (Psalm 103:17). At the same time, when he says, 'Man lives not by bread alone,' he shows that the man is tempted, that is, his acceptance of our flesh, not his divinity." (excerpt from the EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 4.19-20) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 4:1-13 comments that as tempting as all this must have been, Jesus could see through the devil’s twisted logic. Being the Son of God isn’t about special perks and privileges. It isn’t about never going hungry or never being able to walk out the front door without being met by admirers.

As the old saying goes, “Forewarned is forearmed.” So when you find yourself wanting to justify sin, recognize the voice of the tempter and stand firm. When you find yourself doubting God’s goodness, label those thoughts as coming from our enemy, the accuser. And run to Jesus for help. He knows exactly how to overcome the devil!

“Jesus, be my shield and strength in times of temptation!” (Meditation on Luke 4:1-13, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Covenant formula expressed in Deuteronomy that includes history and recognition of Gad as the source of all things. Justification is being at peace with God through faith and trust and salvation is realized when we know Jesus or on the last day by the Evangelists. Friar Jude suggests that the Stoic nature of Luke is expressed by obedience to God, even if it costs.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, insists that grace is the essence of who God is.

There’s no way that the Scriptures, rightly understood, present God as an eternal torturer. Yet many Christians seem to believe this, and many are held back from trusting God’s goodness because of this “angry parent in the sky” that we have created. The determined direction of the Scriptures, fully revealed in Jesus, is that God’s justice is not achieved by punishment, but by the divine initiative we call grace, which enables us to bring about internal rightness, harmony, balance, and realignment with what is.  

The concept of grace is first called mercy, or hesed in Hebrew: the ever-faithful, covenant-bound, infinite and eternal love of God. All God’s power for renewal and resurrection proceeds from this source, never from punishment. Jesus punishes nobody! I would go so far as to call grace the primary revelation of the entire Bible. If we miss this message, all the rest is distorted and even destructive. I cannot emphasize this strongly enough. (Rohr, n.d.)

The Spirit reveals the nature of God through the love, mercy and compassion we witness and experience and in the support we accept to reject the temptation to self aggrandizement. 

References

Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 26 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/26?4 

Hopp, L. (2022, March 6). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Archive/2022/030622.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?1 

Meditation on Luke 4:1-13. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/09/1223441/ 

Psalms, PSALM 91 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/91?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Grace Is God’s Name. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/grace-is-gods-name/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/10?8 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Fasted Forty Days and Was Tempted by the Devil. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar9