Brothers and Sisters,
I recently ran across a quote attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the church’s greatest theologians: “I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are wise and very beautiful; but I have never read in either of them: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.” I believe that this quote is actually a paraphrase of a longer passage, but, in concentrated form, it really struck me. We can find wisdom or good advice from all kinds of sources. Plato and Cicero are excellent examples of wise philosophers, but Jesus offers something more.
In our gospel reading appointed for this coming Sunday, from Matthew 11, we read these words of Jesus: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus is doing more than dispensing human wisdom, and the gospel truth highlighted in this passage is more than good advice. Jesus is offering something far greater: he’s offering himself. Jesus is telling us that we can come to him and find rest for our souls. That’s not an abstract idea. It’s not some kind of platitude. He’s calling us into a lifegiving relationship.
We might find wise and beautiful sayings from any number of sources, but we’ll only find rest for our souls in Jesus. Come to him with all of your burdens and find rest.
In Christ,
Fr. Caleb