We are in the season of Advent and the prayer we often pray in Advent is, ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. In today’s gospel reading, however, it is Jesus who calls on us to come to him, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest’. This is a very personal invitation from Jesus. Our search for God is the result of His invitation. Why should we accept this invitation of Jesus? The first reading (Isa.40:25-33) gives us a clear answer. God speaks of himself as someone who never grows tired or weary and, because of that, can give strength to the wearied and strengthen the powerless. In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks of himself as someone who gives rest to those who labour and are overburdened. The Lord can be our strength when we are weak, our rest when we are tired, our support when we are burdened. Our troubles, sufferings or other traumatic experiences can leave us feeling tired and weary, labouring and overburdened. By turning towards him in our weakness and weariness we can imbibe some of his perennial strength and vitality. In the words of Isaiah, ‘those who hope in the Lord renew their strength’. This is the promise that Jesus makes in the gospel reading, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest’. There is much in life that can deaden our spirit, at any age. It is the Lord, and our relationship with him, that can keep us young and vital even in old age. Let us pray to Jesus ‘Maranatha, Come Lord’.
✍️ CB