December 13, Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Advent
Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Daily Readings: Isaiah 40:25–31; Matthew 11:28–30
‘Yoke’ binds two or more animals used to plow the field or carry heavy loads. Yoke is a metaphor used in Jewish culture to speak of God’s people’s binding with God. Just as the yoke binds animals, Jewish Law binds people of God with God by fulfilling commandments.
But over time, the same law became extremely legalistic by attaching numerous customs, traditions, and prescriptions of do’s and do-nots, and thus a burdensome affair for ordinary people. Today’s gospel presents the picture of Jesus refining it by separating the legalistic burdensome elements and presents a ‘refined yoke’. This is the law to love or “Yoke of Love’. Jesus’ yoke or the refined law is simple and positive, as it is all about love—love of God and Love of others.
Yokes or Burdens are many in our lives, namely, sin, fear, guilt, hopelessness, hard work, family responsibilities, job constraints, etc. Any yoke or burden we try to carry on our own, depending on our capacities, even if it is a small one, becomes burdensome quickly. But when we carry them with love attached to them, it becomes easier and simpler. Amen.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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