HOMILY OF THURSDAY 15TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: TOTAL SUBMISSION TO GOD
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
Isa 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; Psalm 101(102):13-21; Matt 11:28-30
There’s a story of a man who once met a boy carrying a smaller crippled lad on his back. “That’s a heavy load you are carrying there,” exclaimed the man. “He isn’t heavy; he’s my brother!” responded the boy. No burden is too heavy when it’s given in love and carried in love.
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What does the yoke of Jesus refer to in the gospel? The Jews used the image of a yoke to express submission to God. They spoke of the yoke of the law, the yoke of the commandments, the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of God. Jesus says his yoke is “easy”. The Greek word for “easy” can also mean “well-fitting”. Yokes were tailor-made to fit the oxen well. We are commanded to put on the “sweet yoke of Jesus” and to live the “heavenly way of life and happiness”. Jesus also says his “burden is light”.
However, only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and the weight of hopelessness from us. Jesus used the analogy of a yoke to explain how we can exchange the burden of sin and despair for a burden of glory and yoke of freedom from sin. The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is his way of grace and freedom from the power of sin. Do we trust in God’s love and submit to his will and plan for our lives?
PRAYER: Lord, inflame our hearts with love for you and for your ways and help us to exchange the yoke of rebellion for the yoke of submission to your holy and loving word. Set us free from the folly of our own sinful ignorance and rebellious pride that we may wholly desire what is good and in accord with your will. Amen
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