The Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena | Monday 29 April 2024

Today is Monday 29 April, the feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, in the 5th week of Eastertide.

The Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Come All Who Are Weary.’ Can you respond to this invitation as you begin to pray today?

Come all who are weary
I will give you rest
Come all who are striving
Lean upon my breast
For my yoke is easy
And my burden light
O come all who are weary, come
Come all who are wounded
Crying out how long
Come all who are waiting
For the break of dawn
Darkness will not hide me
Forever from your sight
O come all who are wounded, come
Come all who are weeping
All whose hope is gone
Come all who are silent
All who've lost their song
Your every tear is numbered
Your every sorrow known
O come all who are weeping, come
O come all who are weary
Wounded and weeping
All of God's children, come




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

‘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.’

Take a moment to imagine Jesus speaking the words we have just heard… can you picture him in front of you?

Jesus speaks of the “wise and intelligent”, from whom God has hidden things… who might these people be? Can you imagine who Jesus might be speaking of?

Yet Jesus speaks of infants knowing instead… which qualities in infants might he be referring to?

The passage ends with a promise of rest to those who carry heavy burdens. As you listen to the reading again, ponder what that promise might mean to you, in your own circumstances?

What do you want to say just now to a God who promises: “I will give you rest”?

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.