Thursday 14 July 2022

Today is Thursday the 14th of July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time.
Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy-burdened; you shall find rest. What are the labours that I am involved with as I try to pray today? What are the burdens I am carrying? As I enter into prayer, I take this moment to place all my concerns and all my burdens in God’s hands.
Come to me, all you who labour
and are heavy burdened;
you shall find rest.
Learn from me, take my yoke.
I am meek and gentle,
humble of heart.
Come to me, you who thirst;
from my heart
living waters flow.
Come to me, learn from me,
come to me, learn from me.
You shall find rest.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 11: 28-30
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Jesus says ‘Come to me’. Hear him say those words to you now and the feeling behind them. What do you want to do?
‘I am gentle and humble of heart’. What might attract you to this Jesus? What might put you off?

As you hear the reading again, pay attention to Jesus’ invitation. What is the longing in him that his words express?
Weariness and burdens happen in life. Jesus asks to share them with you, rather than leave you to struggle alone. Speak with him about this.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.