Verses that we read, such as: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28) really hit the spot, they arrive at the right time. I am sure that if you are reading these words you may also welcome Jesus’ invitation. Yet what is the labor and burden that we need rest from? If you are like me who work in education, or a student, as the final weeks of the semester come to a close, there are exams to take and correct. Of course, those at the university level may have just finished and are feeling the relief of arriving home to embrace the rest. Others in other occupations also work long hours, and sometimes, too or three jobs, just to get by. How about family care issues which can be enormous, especially at this time of year?
Is the burden, the weight of all that has to be done to prepare for Christmas, the decorating, putting up lights, shopping, buying presents, cooking, baking, writing and mailing Christmas cards crushing you under the weight?
Unfortunately, there are way too many who are not so much burdened by work but the lack of access to gainful or meaningful employment. They are burdened with keeping the bills paid and a roof over their head as the temperatures fall. There are those who have no home or family, they are burdened with getting from day to day, seeking ways to get food, clean clothes, a place to wash and relieve themselves. Christmas cards are a distant thought. Many others are burdened and living in fear that they or their family member or members may be deported.
Speaking of fear, how many of us are burdened by fear, anxiety, stress, and strain for a myriad of swirling reasons? Concerns about our family, community, country, and world are a burden that many are carrying. Advent and Christmas, even when life is more stable, are still times in which many buttons are pressed and many stressors are triggered. What is the adage that is offered when family and friends gather? Resist talking about politics, religion, and… we all can add a few others.
If you are feeling weary and worn this Advent Season, take some time to just stop, breath. Notice your shoulders coming out of your ears. Embrace the invitation of Jesus and rest in him. I guarantee being still with Jesus is even better than a Calgon bath. Allow the burdens to come to mind, then visualize yourself giving them to Jesus, open yourself to his guidance, ask to be open to help, and seek who may be best able to assist you in any particular situation. If you are burdened by any sins, rest in Jesus and confess to him, again head to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus will forgive you and bring you a lightness, a new beginning! Jesus invites us to return to him, to share in his divinity, for he is the source of our true joy and fulfillment, what we have been created for.
Our God “does not faint or grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound” (Isaiah 40:28-29). We do not have to deal with anything alone. We have help and support. My friend, Pastor Jerry Scott, taught me years ago a life lesson which I still return to, more often in my fifties than in my twenties. When a person is chopping down a tree, exerting a lot of energy and effort, but finding the results insufficient, that person needs to realize that he or she needs to step back, stop for a time to take a rest and sharpen their axe. With a little rest, renewal, and a sharpened blade, the job can accomplished in half the time.
We need to do the same daily. We need to resist just putting our head down and forging ahead with blinders on, following our own ego. We need to take some time to stop and assess from time to time what we need, where we need help, how are we truly fulfilled, and yoke ourselves to Jesus for his guidance and strength. With Jesus, as he carries the burden with us, we can work smarter instead of harder, follow his will and not our own. Developing a pattern and place of trust and hope in him, seeking his guidance and direction, we will renew our strength and soar as with eagle’s wings; we will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint (cf. Isaiah 40:31)! Take Jesus’ hand this Advent and soar!
Hanukkah began last night at sundown. May we pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters that God may bless them richly during this holy time with their families.
If you happen to be in the Jupiter area today, Wednesday, December 13, we will be having priests available at our parish at 9:00 am to hear private confessions and also two communal penance services at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Both services will be held in the main sanctuary. St. Peter Catholic Church is located on 1701 Indian Creek Parkway, Jupiter, FL 33458. If you are reading this from afar, I am sure that you can access a parish near you this Advent. If you are not Catholic, you can still reach out to God and one another!
Photo: My axe, which you can see is in some desperate need of sharpening!
Link for today’s Mass readings for Wednesday, December 13, 2017:
Spiritual Stepping Stones