Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

STRENGTH OF THE WEARY

Other Celebrations for this Day:

Introduction

The mighty God is near to the weak. This is the message of today. To the exiles, who felt abandoned by God and who saw the power of Babylon and the supposed might of her gods, God tells through the prophet: I am the mighty God. Rely on me and I will make you strong.

Jesus assumes these powers to himself, and he says: Come to me, you little, humble people who are burdened by laws in the name of religion, and I, who have become little and humble with you, will strengthen you and teach you to love; then your burdens will be light.

Opening Prayer

Everlasting, mighty God,
at times we do not know
where you are or where we are going.
When our burdens are heavy to bear,
help us to keep searching for you
and teach us to become humble again,
that we may be open to the strength
which you give us through him,
who became weary with the weary,
Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever.

First Reading

Isaiah 40:25-31

To whom can you liken me as an equal?
says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high
and see who has created these things:
He leads out their army and numbers them,
calling them all by name.
By his great might and the strength of his power
not one of them is missing!
Why, O Jacob, do you say,
and declare, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God"?

Do you not know
or have you not heard?
The LORD is the eternal God,
creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint nor grow weary,
and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny.
He gives strength to the fainting;
for the weak he makes vigor abound.
Though young men faint and grow weary,
and youths stagger and fall,
They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
they will soar as with eagles' wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10

R. (1) O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!

Alleluia Verse

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to the crowds:
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Prayers of the Faithful

–   That the Lord may take away from our hearts all pride and harshness, and make us gentle and humble, we pray:

–   That we encourage the weak and support them to become courageous in the Lord, we pray:

–   That we may help others, friend and foe, by helping them to carry their burdens, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, mighty God,
often we look far away
for you and your strength
and forget that you are near
in your Son and in people.
Strengthen us with the bread of life
of Jesus, your Son among us.
Make us face life with courage,
for you have made it worth to be lived
through the good people around us
and on account of Jesus Christ,
who lives with you and with us for ever.

Prayer after Communion

God of comfort and strength,
you have spoken to us your refreshing word
and renewed our courage
with the body and blood of your Son.
We thank you with all our hearts.
Help us to be in our turn
near to our neighbor in need
and a haven of rest for the weary.
Make us gladly accept your yoke,
which love makes easy to bear,
and lighten one another’s burden
on account of your Son among us,
Jesus Christ our Lord forever.

Blessing

Weak as we are at times, we learn to carry our burdens when we are aware that the Lord is close to us and that we can always rely on him. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

REFLECTIONS

In this passage, Jesus extends a tender invitation, saying, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This invitation resonates across time, addressing the weariness and burdens that weigh down human hearts. Jesus acknowledges the struggles and toils of life, inviting all who feel burdened to find solace in Him.

The image of a yoke, traditionally a symbol of labor and hardship, takes on a new significance. Jesus doesn't promise a life without challenges, but rather a shared yoke, signifying a partnership where He bears the weight alongside us. This collaborative yoke reflects His compassion and willingness to walk with us through life's difficulties.

The promise of rest is not merely physical but extends to the soul. Jesus offers a profound rest that transcends the weariness of the body, providing peace and renewal to the very core of our being.

The term "easy" in Jesus's promise doesn't imply a life of ease but rather a yoke that fits well, a way of life aligned with His teachings and the principles of God's kingdom. Following Jesus is not a burdensome obligation but a path of purpose and fulfillment.

The call to take Jesus's yoke upon us and learn from Him speaks to the transformative nature of discipleship. It's an invitation to be shaped and molded by His teachings, experiencing the gentle and humble heart that characterizes His own life.

As we reflect on this passage, we are prompted to examine our response to Jesus's invitation. Are we carrying burdens in isolation, or have we taken up the yoke that Jesus offers? May we find comfort and rest in His presence, surrendering our heavy burdens and discovering the unforced rhythms of grace that come from walking closely with our Savior.

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Come and Rest: Embracing Christ’s Gentle Wisdom

Jesus offers an invitation that reveals the heart of His mission: “Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.” Pope Francis emphasises this verse as a beacon of hope for the tired and marginalised, urging us to accept Christ's simplicity and humility.

Jesus begins by praising the Father for revealing divine truths to “little ones” rather than the “wise and learned.” In this, the pope highlights a clear preference for the poor and humble, whose hearts are open to the wisdom of the Kingdom. The learned, constrained by their pride and arrogance, often fail to grasp the liberating message of Jesus. True understanding requires childlike trust and openness, whichinvite us to rest in God’s love.

The invitation to find rest in Christ speaks to all who are burdened by life’s struggles, whether from societal expectations, personal failures, or spiritual exhaustion. Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus does not impose oppressive demands. Instead, He offers a relationship rooted in gentleness and compassion. His yoke is light because it is borne in love and shared with others in the community.

Christ’s “gentle and humble heart” stands in stark contrast to the rigidity of religious leaders who burdened the people with endless laws. Pope Francis calls on us to reject pride and instead embody Christ’s tenderness in our own lives. By doing so, we transform our communities into places of rest and renewal for others.

This passage challenges us to trust in the wisdom of God and to reflect it in our actions. When we come to Christ, we not only find rest for our souls but also learn to be instruments of His peace for others. 

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