Introduction
Many years ago, I was invited to join the staff of a Catholic secondary school. I went along armed with my guitar and some songs that were part of the liturgical life of the parish to which I belonged.
One song proved to be very popular. It was Jesus, Lover of My Soul, by John Ezzy, Daniel Grul & Steve Mcpherson. More than twenty years later, it was still being sung by students who thought it was not cool to sing at Mass. The song became the de facto College anthem and was even sung at the end of the annual Year 12 and Old Boys AFL encounter. Just picture it: around forty sweaty males standing in a circle, arms linked, singing “Jesus, I will never let you go.”
There is so much we can learn about following Jesus in the Gospel passage presented for this enquiry. How can Jesus be yoked to so many people except through a shared faith and a shared commitment to being accompanied by him and to learn from him? It is only by imitating him that we will be transformed and the world also. We walk together by faith and not by sight.
The Gospel
Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’ (Matthew 11:25-30)
The Enquiry
See
There are three parts to this reading. What links can you make between the three parts?
What does Jesus promise to those who follow him? How will life change for those who choose to “imitate” him?
What do we learn about what motivates Jesus?
Judge
What does Jesus reveal about his relationship with God? What does he reveal about how to have the same type of relationship with God? What do you think about this revelation?
What is it like being “yoked” with Jesus? In which parts of your life do you try to imitate him?
In which part(s) of your life do you avoid thinking “what would Jesus do?” What prevents you from seeking his presence and love in those parts of your life?
Act
What would change in the world if people with power chose to follow Jesus?
What small action can you carry out that will contribute to bringing about this transformation in yourself and in the world?
Who can you involve in your action, when, where and how often?
Image Source: Lauri A. Hogle (Creator), Casting all our anxiety on Jesus our healer. In Laurihogle.com, CCC 1.0