Some say that sleep is for the weak, that it is a waste of time. I believe that’s not true. We need to sleep. We need to rest. We need to recharge.
All of us feel tired from time to time - be it from working, studying, serving, or whatever we do. It's normal to feel tired. And the readings remind us what to do, where we can get rest, and strength to carry on.
The first reading says that God gives strength to the fainting, that he gives energy to the weak. We are further assured that those who hope in God will renew their strength. We see how powerful and loving God is. Then in the gospel, Jesus invites us to come to him for us to have rest.
God is all powerful and can do anything. Aside from rest we get from coming to him, it can also enable us to do great things if we allow ourselves to be used be him, to be refreshed by Him.
Jesus is inviting us to come to Him because he will give us rest. He will not solve our problems then and there. He will not make all our concerns and fears disappear. Rather, he will help us put things in perspective. He will help us feel the love of God, and that it is what matters most. He will give us the peace and the strength to go on – focusing on him and not on the world. He will help us realize that things and concerns of this world are not as important as we think they are, because everything will eventually disappear. What’s important is how we prepare for eternity with Him. He will carry our burdens and share the pain we are experiencing. Then, despite all our problems, fears and concerns, we will find rest, we will find true peace, knowing that God loves us so much and that He is always there to help us.
However, coming to Christ alone is not enough. We have to subject ourselves to Him. He is not an ATM we can get money to get by, then go our way and forget about him. When we come to him, we should do so in humility, allowing him to change us, to mold us, to make us into the persons he wants us to be, the persons we are destined to be. Then, we can find the rest and strength only He can give.
We are probably really tired by now. Our lives have not been normal since March. We have problems. Concerns. Fears. These tire and weigh us down. We are reminded to come to Jesus. Rest in Jesus. Trust in him. Things may not necessarily improve, but we get strength from him. We hope in him.
What am I feeling in life? Am I tired? Do I have a lot of worries and concerns? What are the things that bothers me? How do I feel about God’s invitation to come to him, surrender to him, and rest in him?
Tired? You know what to do. May we find courage and strength to come to Jesus, surrender to him, and rest in him.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, as the year comes to a close, things get busier. Year end deadlines. Project requirements. Quotas. Reports. Plus Christmas shopping, gifts, gatherings. Things can get tiring. Things can get stressful. And in the middle of everything, there’s a big chance I might forget you. I might forget the reason for all of these. Thank you for reminding me of what I should do when I am tired. Help me surrender to you. Help me focus on you. I ask that you refresh me so I can continue living for you. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
December 09, 2020
2nd Week of Advent - Wednesday; St. Juan Diego
FIRST READING
To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (1) O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Jesus said to the crowds:
“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.”
“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.”
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