The past Sunday solemn feasts have not been very easy celebrations. For one, these feasts celebrated, although forming the core of our Catholic Christian faith, have been anchored on great mysteries that are not easily understood by all. Yes, we can experience the new Pentecost, we encounter the Most Blessed Trinity, and we receive with joy the Body and Blood of Christ the Lord. And yet, if we ponder over the mysteries mentioned, at times, we fail to grasp their entire meaning.
But today, the Lord is telling us: “Enough of mysteries, even those that teach deeply your faith in me,” Jesus is simply telling us to find our rest in Him. Jesus is simply inviting us to trust Him and experience his great love and concern for everything that happens to our lives. Let us pause for a moment. Close your eyes if you need to. And listen to your heart and mind. Even before you entered the church, so many concerns have already been affecting you these days. Some of those concerns have been depriving you of sleep or have been giving much to be afraid of. Feel these concerns emerging and identify them before the Lord. Didn’t you come here precisely because you believe Jesus will pay attention to your concerns?
A father is troubled because he could not pay the school uniforms of his children. An old lady is concerned that she could not sustain her expensive medicines. A young man is troubled that his parents have recently split and the house is no longer the same with one of them missing. So many concerns! If we bring together all our concerns, we will be truly overwhelmed. But Jesus is the God of this sweet promise: “Come to me all who labor and are overburdened and I will give rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt. 11: 28-30).
The Lord tells us to slow down. He invites us to sit or kneel or stand before Him. “Come,” he says to us. He did not promise that if we come, our problems will vanish. He did not say that if we come, solutions will be on the way. Jesus does not believe in quick fixes. He does not perform magic tricks on our woes. Jesus says, “Come” because He wants to do something for us. He wants to touch our hearts and empower us. He wants us to learn how to trust again. He wants us to realize that going through life, we need a companion, a companion who is always willing to walk with us. And then, with Jesus, we will solve our problems.
This Sunday, unburden your heart to Jesus and trust Him. Come before Him and rest. Amen! Alleluia! Amen! Alleluia! Who is a Christian Steward? The pastoral letter describes Stewardship is a way of life. It challenges Christians, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit, to try to see the hand of God in all creation. That calls for time – quality time – and extended perseverance. Stewardship is not easy.
This 14th week in Ordinary Time celebrates the memorials of three great Saints namely; St. Benedict on the 11th, the Patriarch of Western Monasticism and a Patron Saint of Europe. On the 14th, St. Kateri Tekakwitha also called “Lily of the Mohawks. And St. Bonaventure OFM, Bishop and Doctor of the Church also known as the “Seraphic Doctor”. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin.
Your Priest-Servant and Pastoral Administrator,
Fr. Reggie