Rest for your Souls – Matthew 11:28-30 Reflection
To ask Jesus to carry the weight of all our problems would not be appropriate. For instance, we cannot expect miracles to resolve difficulties within our work environment. Our efforts can resolve the daily challenges. What could Jesus mean when he said, “I will give you rest,” to lighten our burdens? Reading scripture, we often pick a phrase from a few verses that speak to us to form our perspectives. For instance, the spirituality of Saint John of the Cross influences my Lectio results. I also know that I lean towards the combination of human and divine. Depending on your bible, the text in today’s scripture may use, “and you will find rest for your souls.” For me, “rest for your souls,” Jesus refers to the many flavors of evil that surround, tempt, distract, and push us down spiritually. We can strive to completely trust that Jesus’s embrace will hold these vices at bay. Because in His arms, we can rest and feel comfort in his love, peace, and light. This type of rest helps us face the tide of negatives that suppress our soul from surfacing as part of who we are.
Jesus Commands the Apostles to Rest by James Tissot (full resolution painting)
More details are available at the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 11:28-30 – Scripture*
28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 11:28-30 Reflection – Rest for your Souls
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the Matthew 11 passage.
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