Session 3: Shattered Burdens

In this time of Advent retreat, God longs to be present to you and to share some quiet space with you. Find the best way for your body and mind to become still, breathing yourself into calm and inviting God to be with you.

Allow any tension of body or busyness of mind to fall quiet, trusting that God’s grace is at work here, even if you are not aware of it and can’t feel it directly.

Today Isaiah is in military mode, remembering the story of Gideon and the defeat of Midian in Judges 6-7. The Assyrians are said to have boasted that they would place yokes on the necks of their conquered enemies. God insisted that Gideon drastically reduce his army, already far smaller than that of Midian, so that there could be no doubt that the victory came from God.

Jesus invites all who are weary and heavy burdened to take his yoke upon them, because his yoke is easy and his burden light. Can you trust in that promise, whatever your situation now?

We listen now to the scripture reading from Isaiah chapter 9, verse 4 and 5:

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

A jubilee year brings about the liberation of slaves, of animals, even of the land itself. God is celebrated not as a conqueror or dictator but as a liberator.

In ancient times, farmers would yoke themselves with their animals if they didn’t have another to pull the plough. The animal would take the heavier burden, but the farmer would work alongside.

Jesus comes as God-with-us, made human flesh. He doesn’t seek to bind burdens on us but, by sharing our yoke, to make our burdens light. Isaiah foretells this in vivid language: God shatters the yoke that burdens us, destroys whatever oppresses us.

How do these words strike you? Perhaps you have no sense of being burdened or oppressed by others, but what about the burdens with which we weigh ourselves down, the rods we make for our own backs?

Mary sings of God’s liberating power in her Magnificat. In the coming of Jesus, she sees God reversing all dynamics of oppressive power. Every violence that is done to us by others, that we do to them or to ourselves is overcome by God’s saving power. What feelings arise in you as you reflect on this?

As you take time to let the word of God sink in, notice what you find yourself wanting to say to God. It may be words of praise, of petition or protest.

Isaiah prophesies that all the weapons and gear of battle will be destroyed as the Messiah comes as Prince of Peace. This may represent your inner struggles with yourself, or with factors external to you. Whatever you want to say or ask, take time to speak whatever is in your heart.

O Radiant Dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice; come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Amen