As many of you know, I write occasionally for Give Us This Day, a wonderful and inspiring monthly booklet published by Liturgical Press. Each issue contains the daily Mass readings complete with reflections by authors both ancient and contemporary. Each reflection is limited to 250 words. Today I’m sharing my reflection for Dec. 13, 2023 on Mt. 11: 28-30:
Jesus said, “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 is light.”
Jesus knew a lot about yokes. Joseph probably made yokes as part of his carpentry work. If so, he would have taught Jesus the art of making good yokes. Select sturdy wood, but not too heavy as to weigh the animal down. Then fit the yoke to each animal. This means measuring the animal’s shoulders, neck, and height from head to hoof. A good yoke eases the animal’s burden. Double yokes enable two animals to work side by side as a team.
Jesus knew about yokes in scripture too. He knew the yoke was a frequent symbol of bondage. His listeners would have known that too. But when Jesus speaks of the yoke in today’s gospel, he gives this old metaphor a new twist: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” My yoke, he says. Take it willingly. My yoke is not a yoke of bondage. It is a yoke of bonding. I will teach you how to bear it. In fact, I will bear the yoke with you.”
Recently, a catechist in Chile told this story. She was teaching a small group of Christians in a rural area. At one point she asked them, “What is your favorite image of God?” One farmer said, “For me, God is the other oxen. We talk to each other every day as we plow the field. The yoke is light when I carry it with my God.”
What burdens are you carrying right now? Are you carrying them with Jesus by your side?
For reflection:
Did anything stand out for you in this reflection. If so, what and why?
Do you talk to God every day–and even throughout your day?
What is your favorite image of God? Why?
If you knew nothing else about Jesus except these words above, what are some of the things you might conclude about the kind of person he was?
PS: International Women’s Month is celebrated in March in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. In Canada it’s celebrated in October. The photo and quote below are posted here in honor of this month’s celebration.
Our video is “Come unto Jesus” by Laura Story, Jordan Kauflin, and Keith and Kristyn Getty. I loved the lyrics of this song, fashioned from Jesus’ own words. And I also loved the stunning video in the background… Toward the end of the song, notice especially the tiny people walking up the giant hill…
Once again I invite you to add a comment below–about the reflection itself, the photos, or the song… or you can respond to someone else’s comment…
25 Responses
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
Happy Saint Patrick’s day!
Give Us This Day is delivered to my house monthly, its pages keeping me grounded in God’s word! I remember reading your reflection about Jesus and yokes and remember marveling at how in just a few short paragraphs (250 words) you bring a fresh perspective to the eternal word of God. I like how you say the yoke of Jesus is not one of bondage, but one or bonding, and that he will bear the yoke with us. That’s beautiful. Thank you!
For years I have started my day with Give Us This Day and it keeps me grounded each day as well. Each month I look for Sister Melannie on the Monthly Calendar as I am sure you do as well.
I particularly enjoyed St Catherine of Siena on March 13 this month.
I also enjoy your weekly additions to the Blog
As I prepare for surgery tomorrow I ask for prayer 🙏. I also feel like Jesus himself is with me during this time and always. Guiding me and comforting me.
Rebecca, Our readers and I will hold your surgery and recovery in our special prayers… Melannie
Praying for successful surgery and quick recovery. Peggy
Praying for you, guidance for the surgeons and speedy recovery!
I love GUTD! I use it every day as part of my prayers. I talk to God from the moment that I wake up trying to think of three things that I am thankful for each day. Today, it was getting 30 extra minutes of needed sleep, talking to family on Zoom, and a good homily at Sunday Mass.
Happy St. Paddy’s Day!
Thank you once again, Sr. Melannie for this beautiful start to the week!
Part of my adjusting and re-orienting my days in retirement now, is allowing me more prayer time in the morning. So yes, I talk with God each day, and following the Ignatian tradition of “finding God in all things” I attempt to notice God working throughout the day, and give thanks.
The video is lovely!
Beautiful. “God’s yoke is not bondage….it is bonding”. Love it. What a beautiful image of our Lenten journey. God bless you.
Father John
What a wonderful musical reflection today. Thank you Sister Melannie
Good morning, All…I like the image of the yoke. For Lent, it try to give up anything that keeps me from knowing God better and getting closer to God. It can be burdensome, but when I turn the burdens to Jesus, He helps me bear the weight of my struggles. We are “yoked” together to overcome those burdens. It lightens my load and allows me to be better focused on the true needs and wants that God offers and provides.
Be well. Be blessed.
I found this reflection and music comforting today Sr Melannie – the lyrics and music were soothing to the soul. The present state of political moves and rhetoric are so unkind- I find it so sad. And what can we do about ? A great reminder we share this burden with Jesus.
I am also a reader of GUTD. That’s where I first met you, Sr. Melannie! Every month I check the calendar to see who is writing the reflections, and I’m always happy to see your name. Thank you for sharing your insights with us!
I love the image of the cross. It speaks to me of uniting my every day crosses and challenges to that of Jesus.
one of my favorite lines and images from your post is : For me, God is the other oxen. We talk to each other every day as we plow the field. The yoke is light when I carry it with my God.” I love that — simply talking to God.
Good morning to you all,
So many things resonated with me …..first of all, I have used “Living Faith” for my meditations for more years than I can remember and you, Sr. Melannia are a contributor to that, as well…..leaving me particularly interested when I see your name at the bottom of the page.
That being said, I want to share what I experienced watching the video…..I realized that in the bottom right-hand corner, the music for the guitar was being shown…..that reminded me of my now deceased husband, who at around age 55 or 60 decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar. So I gave him about 10 lessons for Christmas with a young teacher at a music store. He was religious about going to his class and practicing diligently. In the spring, the teacher announced that there was to be a recital and all her students would be in it. He practiced relentlessly on a piece that was pretty hard for him and soon it was the day.
All of the other students were children, some quite young, so she decided to have them perform in order of their age, which, of course, gave my husband the last position. As you might imagine the room was filled with parents and grandparents, all cheering their children on. So when Jim’s turn came he brought out a high stool , sat down, looked at the crowd and said, “now would be a great time for a tornado warning”. Everyone laughed and he proceeded with his number, rather stumbling through it, but being ever the showman, he began “Amazing Grace” and asked everyone to join in which they did!
Thank you for the memory and the laugh that it has given me this morning!
As my brother wished me this morning, “May you reach heaven a half hour before the devil knows your dead” Happy St. Patty’s day
Mary
Prayers for you Rebecca! 🙏🏻❤️
This passage always results in me singing along to Handel’s Messiah setting of these words. Your reflection touched me (as they usually do) with its practicality and hope. Thank you for starting out this St Patrick’s Day with this inspiration.
I love the image of the cross with all of the small crosses. That image fits well with the reflection this week by Fr. Ron Rolheiser where he distinguishes the historical Jesus from the Christ by saying we all are part of the body of Christ. The image of the cross speaks to me of how Christ shares in all of our daily crosses and we share in His.
Another inspiring article! I especially liked to story of farmer who imagines that Jesus is next to him while plowing his fields. It seems with most tasks, it’s easier to accomplish with a friend and what better friend can we have but Jesus!
Happy St. Patrick’s day!
I definitely related. The quote you began with is my very favorite.
My husband recently was diagnosed with Parkinson’s from being exposed to chemicals in Viet Nam. I talk to God several times daily and pray a lot. Without my hope and faith in Him I wouldn’t make it through a day. Taking each day as it comes, as we carry our burdens with Him by our side.
Just back from AZ. The 1st time seeing the Grand Canyon with all its breath taking beauty. So happy we were able to take this trip with our oldest son and daughter in law.
God Bless you Sr. Melannie for all your Sunflower Seed articles. They brighten my Monday’s
I was moved by quite a lot in the reflection today. The image of the cross holding all those other crosses a reminder that Jesus carries everyone’s cross not just mine; the photo of the African woman carrying that huge burden and her children very thought provoking; the music video a very beautiful call to come to Jesus for help and gratitude daily to take His yolk upon us. Thank you Sr. Melannie for your inspiration. Offering prayers for Rebecca’s successful surgery and God’s guidance for her surgeon and care team.
I love the image of the large cross made up of the small crosses. For me, it symbolizes all our sins, or crosses, which were part of the heavy cross Jesus carried to Calvary. He took on the weight of our sins. We should offer up our daily crosses to Him at the foot of the cross.
Jesus knew a lot about yokes. Joseph probably made yokes as part of his carpentry work. If so, he would have taught Jesus the art of making good yokes. Select sturdy wood, but not too heavy as to weigh the animal down. Then fit the yoke to each animal. This means measuring the animal’s shoulders, neck, and height from head to hoof. A good yoke eases the animal’s burden. Double yokes enable two animals to work side by side as a team. (Melannie Svoboda SND, Sunflower Seeds: Celebrating Everyday Spirituality 17 March 2025) I wonder what yoke we wear as we progress through our lives. I wonder if we have a variety of yokes that we put on to navigate our way through particular circumstances or concerns. I wonder what we have discovered about yokes that influences our way of being, inner monologues or dialogues and our actions. I wonder what we have recently discovered about yokes that matters, is important and makes a difference.
I love your Sunflower Seeds Sister :-). My mind and heart (and that of my three siblings) has been influenced for the better by SND Sisters from the Covington Province – Michelle, Walter Ann, Paul, Fernanda, Rita, Conrad, Evangela, Marceline, Jerome , Neri… – masters in forming the hearts and minds of kids in the 50s and 60s at St. Charles Borromeo School in Carthage (Cincinnati) Ohio.
Thank you Sister for this timely message. I am in need of the reminder that I am not alone in the challenges of the day, the week, the year. I often get caught up in trying to handle things on my own and trying to control. It is so much lighter when I call upon God to be with me through the rough patches, thanking Him and remembering that he is always by my side.