Reflection

Dearest Gentle Brothers and Sisters:

Trade-in my yoke? Wait, what IS a yoke? No, no egg jokes allowed here. In biblical times, it was a big wooden bar that was placed on the necks of two oxen that would bind them together for plowing or other very difficult and laborious chores. People who carried a "heavy yoke" were highly burdened and oppressed, as the "wise" religious leaders of the time had prescribed hundreds of rules and regulations, often confusing and conflicting, and most people didn't know what to do to stay within the laws of their religion. If only somebody could come along and clean-up the whole mess. And of course, he'll be carrying a warrior's battle bow, and will surely arrive in a huge golden chariot, or maybe even on a beautiful white stallion!

Or a donkey. Enter Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to fulfill Zechariah's prophecy. Meek, and humble of heart, Jesus arrives, giving praise to the Father in heaven "who has hidden things from the wise and the learned", but reveals them to the "little ones" through the Son--for "the Lord lifts up all who are falling." Every day, each of us little ones falter under the weight of a yoke that seems so heavy—sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. But how can we get Jesus to raise us up again?

Well, St. Paul knew what to do, and he told the Romans to please stop living according to the flesh, stop being so concerned with things of this world, and start living with the Spirit of Christ (and thus, the Spirit of God) in them instead. Jesus Christ shows us the way to do this: learn from him, discard that heavy yoke that you carry with all your earthly worries, and take HIS yoke upon you. For his yoke is easy, his burden is light, and he will give you rest and peace. This is his promise to us, and "he is faithful in all his words." If you'd like to be safe from all distress, then trade-in your yoke for Jesus'. It works every time and carries a lifetime warranty, and that's no yoke.

Your Brother in Christ, Steven Barretto