“The beginning is faith, the end is love. . . and all else
follows on these, ending in perfect goodness. No one who professes faith lives in sin, nor if he possesses love, does she live in hatred. The tree is manifest by its fruit. In like manner they who profess to be Christ’s, shall be apparent by their deeds. For at this time the Work is no mere matter of profession, but is seen only when one is found living in the power of faith unto the end.”
- Ignatius of
Antioch (2nd C., A.D.), Epistle to the Ephesians
(What fruit has been manifest from the tree of your life lately? Pray the grace to grow in faith and love.) |
DT 7:6-11; PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 10; 1 JN 4:7-16
MT 11:25-30
At that time Jesus exclaimed:
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you
have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
"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."
Reflection on the
Scriptures |
The yoke of Christ's kingdom, his kingly rule and way of life, liberates us from the burden of guilt and from the oppression of sin and hurtful desires. Only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and the weight of hopelessness from us - and give us a weight of love and glory in exchange. Jesus used the analogy of a yoke to explain how we can exchange the burden of sin and despair for a burden of
glory and yoke of freedom from sin. The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is his way of grace and freedom from the power of sin. Do you trust in God's love and submit to his will and plan for your life?
"Lord Jesus, give me the child-like simplicity and purity of faith to gaze upon your face with joy and confidence in your all-merciful love. Remove every doubt, fear, and proud thought
which would hinder me from receiving your word with trust and humble submission."
-
from dailyscripture.net Revelations of Divine
Love - by Julian of Norwich
Thirteenth Revelation, Chapter 39
“Sin is the sharpest scourge. . . .
By contrition we are made clean, by compassion we are made ready, and by true longing towards God we are made worthy.”
But our courteous Lord willeth not that His servants despair, for often nor for grievous falling: for our falling hindereth not Him to love us. Peace and love are ever in us, being and working; but we be not always in peace and in love. But He willeth that we take heed thus
that He is Ground of all our whole life in love; and furthermore that He is our everlasting Keeper and mightily defendeth us against our enemies, that be full fell and fierce upon us;—and so much our need is the more for [that] we give them occasion by our falling. |
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