Sunday, February 20, 2011

What is the yoke of Christ?


Come to Me,
all of you who are weary
and find life burdensome;
I will refresh you.
Take My yoke on your shoulders
and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble of Heart.
You shall find rest
because My yoke is easy
and My burden light.
-- Matthew 11:28-30

Judging by the statistics recorded by the host of this site, a good number of people stumble upon my blog while searching the web with the keywords “what is the yoke of Christ?”

Good question.

It can be a confusing term. Yokes aren’t used much in the modern world. It is a wooden harness used to guide oxen or other draft animals while plowing fields. The yoke still exists in some developing countries and within more traditional cultures, but by and large it has been replaced by tractors or other mechanized equipment.

Used as a verb, “yoke” means to join or to unite. In a figurative sense—used frequently in the Old Testament—it can mean something more severe: to subjugate, or force into labor or bondage, as with a beast of burden, or worse, a slave.

Jesus, drawing on this same image, which would have been well-known in his time, gives it a deeper meaning—obedience under the law of freedom, or Love (see passage above from Matthew), and as we know, God is Love. St. Paul also uses the term in the New Testament, telling the Galatians: “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

So, why did I choose to title this blog “The Yoke of Christ”?

It’s a long story, but about eight years ago while living in the Toledo, Ohio, area and working as a newspaper editor, I experienced an intense spiritual reawakening or conversion. I reached a point in my life where I knew I must give myself to God, without knowing why or what for. So I did. Now, I’m a Benedictine monk, and as St. Anthony of the Desert famously said, “Each day I begin again.”

When I sincerely called out for God’s help for the very first time at the age of 37, my heart began whispering to me in ways I had never heard before. “Come to Me” is what I kept hearing within, over and over. Accompanying this strange beckoning was a sudden and intense desire to read Scripture, which I had never done before. The words sang to me, and when I first read the passage from Matthew at the top of this post, my heart began to burn with an indescribable love of God. So, step by step, at times striding and at others stumbling, I began to follow and heed those words: “Come to Me.”

Several more years of transformation and discernment followed before I entered the monastery. Then, in January 2008, as I prepared to make my first vows of obedience, stability, and fidelity to the monastic way of life at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, my retreat director pointed something out to me. His observation provided new depth, meaning, and purpose to those words echoing in my heart.

Take a look at the illustration of the yoked oxen at the top of this post. Where do you see Christ? My problem was—and still is sometimes—that I was viewing Christ as the driver of the oxen under the yoke. That’s a terribly distorted view of obedience.

The Latin root of the word “obedience” means “listen.” So, to obey is to listen. As you know, the heart of any healthy relationship is listening. Obedience is a relationship in which those involved genuinely listen and respond to one another in love. It is listening and love in action. It is more about our relationship with God and one another than it is about simply following commands.

Put another way, obedience to God is true freedom.

However, I suspect that is not the way most of us think about obedience. It is certainly not the way I thought about it prior to making first vows in 2008. My retreat director then asked me to reconsider how a yoke is used in the agricultural tradition. Vaguely, my idea was a burdensome harness thrown over the shoulders of one poor beast.

Wrong. Rather, as The American Heritage Dictionary defines it, a yoke is a crossbar with two U-shaped pieces that encircle the necks of a pair of oxen, mules, or other draft animals working in a team (emphasis added).

This altered dramatically my image of obedience. Now, I picture God the Father gently guiding his team, plowing and sowing the Spirit’s seed-ground of the Church so all in the world may reap the harvest of Life.

And working with me (us) under the yoke (or cross) is Christ Himself. He works with us all, encourages us, and promises us joy beyond all knowing for those who “Take My yoke on your shoulders and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. You shall find rest because My yoke is easy and My burden light.”

So then, what precisely is the yoke of Christ for us? It is the vehicle of grace on the path of life by which we progressively and obediently come to know, love, and serve God. It means being a disciple of Christ, being true to one’s vocation in life—which may be lived out in many different ways.

For me, it is the monastic way of life. So in a sense, the Benedictine habit and cuculla I put on every day symbolizes the yoke of Christ. To paraphrase the words of Archabbot Justin Du Vall at my Solemn Profession Mass, it symbolizes the right mind of obedience through which I return to Christ.

This yoke, this right mind of obedience under the law of freedom, this Love, is symbolized in different ways for those living out other vocations. It may be a wedding ring, or a clerical collar, or it may be something less visible but no less demanding—such as an illness, loneliness, or other difficult circumstances.

Whatever it is, it means working in tandem with Christ for the love of God. And this is something only a life of faith can bestow. As Jesus said many times, “Your faith has saved you.” This most be our hope, no matter how weary we might be, no matter how burdensome life may be. The yoke of Christ is easy, his burden light. In him we find rest.

*******
Although it is difficult to give to one who asks, it is even more so to allow one to take what belongs to you, without asking it back. I should have said that this seems difficult, for the yoke of the Lord is sweet and light. When one accepts it, one feels its sweetness immediately, and cries out with the Psalmist: “I have run the way of your commandments when you enlarged my heart” [Psalm 118:32]. It is only charity that can expand my heart. O Jesus, since this sweet flame consumes it, I run with joy in the way of your NEW commandment. I want to run in it until that blessed day when, joining the virginal procession, I shall be able to follow you in the heavenly courts, singing your NEW canticle, which must be Love.
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux

39 comments:

Tulle said...

Dear Brother Francis.

This post was just what I needed to read today, thank you.
I am experiencing a very difficult time at present... I could call it an existential crisis. Your words here have been a great help to see things in a different light, and I am so glad to have your blog to turn to, when I need words of wisdom to nurture my soul.

Tulle.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Thank you, Tulle.

The Holy Spirit moves where He wills.

I will keep you in prayer.

PAX
Br. Francis

david said...

Shalom Brother and thank you. Your post is accurate and true. The Word of God is our hope. May the Lord continue to bless you with His riches and His abundance. Thank you so very much for your discipling and encouragement.
In His Love, David

drewdeal said...

I truly appreciate this accurate depiction of the yoke being shared with Christ vs him being the driver of the team standing behind. It clears up my understanding perfectly, as I have known in my spirit that that Lord is truly by my side in the labor of the Word.

I am reworking my Christ Gate site and came upon this post with much appreciation.

Unknown said...

WOW! I feel so enlightened by your breakdown of this passage. I am currently in Bible Study Fellowship studying the book of Matthew. One of the questions pertained to this passage which I had no idea what the word yoke meant. Thank God for internet and you where we can learn more.
So how are you in this monastic life? Do you really feel this is what God wants for your life? What about the passage where He talks about not hiding the light but letting it shine(sorry for the paraphrasing)? Anyway, thank you so much for sharing God's wisdom. Peace and Blessings to you!

Unknown said...

Angela,
I too am in BSF and ended up here too! Wonder if we are in the same location!
I was very curious as to how oxen are trained to use the yoke and found this site interesting. Below is the site's summary. Interesting how similar we are to oxen and God to the master. However I too believe that Jesus wants us to yoke ourselves to Him and "...learn from me". Awesome!

http://www.prairieoxdrovers.com/training.html

Training Oxen - A Point Form Guide
A. Base for Training
1. Respect gained through meeting your oxen's needs which are food, rest, water, shelter, social contact, and safety
2. Leadership quickly and firmly established
B. Rules of Training
1. Train regularly
2. Maintain control of both your oxen and yourself
3. Be firm. Insist on obedience
4. Be patient and understanding
5. Be consistent in everything you ask
C. Training Schedule
1. Teach animals to lead
2. Begin training with the yoke (or harness)
3. Teach Whoa (Stop), Giddup (Go), and Easy (Slow down)
4. Teach Gee (Turn right), Haw (Turn left), and Back (move in reverse)
5. Begin to pull loads
6. Teach Step In (step toward a pole/chain), and Step Out (step away from a pole/chain)
7. Teach Head Up (lift heads when in yoke), and Come Boss (Come in from pasture)
8. Use lead ropes as little as possible, until you can remove them altogether
9. Work on giving animals a variety of tasks in a variety of environments
10. End each work period when things are going well

Deleted Post said...

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden [in worldly futility and religious striving], and I will give you rest. Take My yoke [My priestly vocation to Father] upon you and learn from Me [the Model/Priest], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls [Home in Father's Altar]. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Mt 11:28- 29).

Your only hope of true rest is embracing the vocational "yoke" of the Priest-Son. Augustine wrote, "Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee."

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Thank you, all. Haven't posted here in a while, but this particular entry still generates interest. God's Word is living and active!

Angela -- yes, I really feel this is the life God has chosen for me. The path included seven years of discernment before I made solemn vows three years ago. Believe me, at first I tried to talk God out of it! (Never works, by the way). As for not hiding the light and letting it shine -- you found the blog, didn't you?

By the way, my new blog (since the fall of 2011) is pathoflifeblog.blogspot.com. Come on over if you like!

PAX
Br. Francis

Colleen Yvonne Mae said...

Thank you Br. Francis. This was most helpful..."it is the vehicle of grace on the path of life...being true to one's vocation in life." Is this to mean that the easier yoke is that path of life that feels most easy to us? I'd imagine not exactly, but curious your thoughts if you might elaborate more. I have visited your new blog site as well. Thank you again.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Hi, Colleen,

No, I wouldn't say that the right path in life is always the easiest. Often, it can seem quite difficult--especially at first.

Each of us knows, deep down in our hearts, what is right in a given situation, because this sense was planted there by God, in whose image we are crafted. But it is not always easy. It involves a choice, a decision, that goes beyond mere feelings.

That being said, one who is truly following God's path of life for herself or himself should, generally speaking, experience a certain peace and joy regarding that path -- which in turn provides the strength to do what often seems difficult.

In my experience, when I've felt God's strong "tug" in a certain direction, the path initially seems to be anything but easy. So, I am tempted to stop, or to turn away, or to hesitate. But once I make a genuine commitment to embark on that path, I invariably find it widening and leveling out. And despite the fact that there will always be "rough patches" here and there, I discover wonderful things along the way that I never would have experienced had I taken the "easy way" instead.

Does that make sense?

St. Benedict, whose Rule for monks we follow, has a wonderful passage worth meditating on:

"Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love."

Follow your expanding heart!

PAX
Br. Francis

Unknown said...

I just want to share my experience with Jesus. I am a guy from the Philippines and now an OFW in Taiwan. I went here to work and earn money to support my family. I am married with 4 children.
Last June 21 of this year, I experience anxiety due to a sickness and I was very afraid thinking that I will go crazy and will not be able to recognize my family again. Thats when I started praying hard to Him. I tell all the people I know to pray for me to overcome it and be healed. I pray hard and I surrender everything to God. I know God always listen and answer our prayers. And miracles do happen. Now the anxiety is gone and in the process of putting myself back again. To continue my mission here in abroad for my families future and to help others as well. Thank you Jesus.
I just got in your blog when I search the net for "The Yoke of Christ" meaning. Now with a deeper understanding, I will no longer be afraid because I know now that the road may not be easy,but if taken with Him,everything will be alright.
Thank you for reading and God bless us all.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Thanks, Randy.

As Jesus told his disciples before he ascended to heaven: "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

That is true for each of us no matter what trials we may have to endure from time to time.

May God continue to bless, protect, and strengthen you and your family.

PAX
Br. Francis

Chris said...

Obedience to God is the freedom, as Dominion before Christ was the yoke of the Master of Earth. Christ broke the bonds of said yoke, claiming Love. Now, as Judge, He offers us His yoke, and our understanding comes with obedience. (Listening to the Comforter). I love what you have wrote. May we ever increase, Amen.

Danny Mispelblom said...

You said that “Come to Me” is what you kept hearing within, over and over and later on you decided to enter the monastery. Have you ever thought of interpreting the voice differently? I personally interpret the voice as a commandment or request to follow Him into the world, instead of entering a monastery. I believe that in a monastery one doesn't need a yoke. It's the world with all its difficulties, tribulations and afflictions in which I need Jesus' yoke on my shoulders. It's not my aim to offend you.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Hi Danny,

That is a fair question. Simply put, I never interpreted the words "Come to Me" as a commandment to enter the monastery. To me, it was an invitation to follow Christ, period, which I had not been doing up to that point in my life. It was a call first to conversion, and then to discipleship. And that very same call applies to each one of us. Jesus invites us to follow him, to take his yoke.

It was only much later, after several years of much deeper and continually unfolding prayer, thought, and discernment involving spiritual directors, family members, friends, and other considerations, that I eventually discerned the SPECIFIC call become a monk. Christ calls us all to follow him, as he did his very first disciples. However, each is called along his or her own path. As St. Paul says, as the Body of Christ, though we have many parts, we are One Body.

As I said, that discernment process took several years, and it was a complex one that involved many different aspects. Chief among them was the deep desire to live the monastic life once I was exposed to it, learned about it, and experienced it on a trial basis. Very early on in the process, I did discern other possible vocations--some involving religious life, and some involving life in the "world." So, my ultimate choice (or, really, God's choice for me) was not instantly clear to me. Discernment is a process. "Come to me" was only the initial call to conversion and discipleship. The discernment in terms of vocation unfolded much differently.

I hope that answers your question. And by the way, I would not assume that the monastery is without the "yoke" of difficulties, tribulations, and afflictions. Quite the contrary. I have lived both in the world, and in the monastery, and I can assure you that neither is easy. The cross awaits the faithful Christian disciple wherever he/she goes. There is no escaping it. Again, as St. Paul says, if we hope to share in Christ's resurrection, we also have to share in his sufferings.

So, we each live out our specific vocational call differently. But we are ALL called to follow Christ as disciples.

PAX
Br. Francis

Danny Mispelblom said...

Fair answer. Thank you, Brother Francis.

Davish@davidson said...

I just started medidating for the lent reflections for this season, and was looking into the Yoke of christ and asking God to help me and found your post really useful, thank God

Davidson,Chennai,India

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

A blessed Lent to you!

PAX
Br. Francis

Sara said...

Brother Francis- I'm a Mormon and found your blog, which I have thoroughly enjoyed, by searching online for more understanding about the yoke of Christ. Thank you for your insight on this great scripture. Having the picture of the yoked oxen was so fantastic and as I looked at the picture and tried to name all the parts in the picture. You identified where I am, and Christ it and God the father is. I understand that the "yoke" can also symbolize the implement through which the work that I do is redeemed and made to bless my life and the lives of those I love and serve. For example- I'm a mother to 5 children. I make dinner, clean up messes, wipe noses, help with homework etc. Even after I am yoked to Christ, I still have all my work to do- that part doesn't change. There is work outside of His yoke and work inside the yoke. When I'm yoked to Christ He strengthens me and give me the ability to work beyond my own capacity (love when I'm angry, serve when I'm tired etc) but I feel like there is something more. By being yoked to Him, the nature of the work I do changes- those dinners and wiped noses and homework help sessions become different. He redeems even that work and makes it holy- the way I love and serve my husband and my children become holy because I am yoked to Him. Thank you so much- I am very grateful to learn from people in and out of my faith community.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Thank you, Sara,

I'm glad the post was fruitful for you, and you provide some wonderful insights yourself. My sister--also a wife and mother--would surely agree with you!

Ultimately, it is Christ who provides meaning for all we do, experience, and are.

PAX
Br. Francis

MH said...

Brother Francis,

I read this verse today and was wondering why should God ask us to bear his yoke and carry his burden. The way you pictured the other oxen is Jesus who carries along with us solved the Yoke question. What does His burden mean?

Merlin

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Hello, Merlin,

Most scholars interpret the passage as a reference to the burdensome law (yoke) of the Old Covenant, the Law upheld by Pharisees and scribes that no human being could reasonably expect to fully master on his/her own. By contrast, Jesus invites his followers (those heretofore burdened by the “yoke” of the Law), to “submit” to the Word (himself, as proclaimed in the Gospel), and learn from him—the Word made flesh who dwells among us to impart grace and truth. In this way, Jesus shares the yoke alongside us, lightens our burden, and gives us rest. Here, Jesus presents himself as the personification of Wisdom, as often alluded in the Old Testament (compare, for example, Matthew 11:28-30 with Sirach 51:23-30).

Also helpful, I think, would be a meditation on the beginning of the Gospel of John (specifically, John 1:1, 14-17):

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, 'This was he of whom I said, "The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me."' From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

So, to answer your question more succinctly, the “burden” being offered to us is the grace of Wisdom (Christ himself), which is actually “light” and “easy.” This is not to say that following Christ will relieve us of all difficulty, struggle, and suffering. Quite the contrary—elsewhere, Jesus urges us to “take up your cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). What it does mean is that we do not carry our cross (yoke, burden) alone. God himself, the Word made Flesh in Jesus Christ, carries it alongside us, providing it with meaning, and leading us through it to redemption. Through the gift of grace, and with our cooperation, God accomplishes this for us, for we cannot do it alone.

For this reason, Jesus says, “Come to me…”

A blessed Easter to you, Merlin!

PAX
Br. Francis

Anton said...

Christ’s yoke is a yoke of restraint and obedience. We owe full and complete obedience to our Lord; for we are his by creation and by redemption. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
We are to bear the yoke of Christ that we may be placed in complete union with him. “Take my yoke upon you,” he says. Obey my requirements. But these requirements may be in direct opposition to the will and purposes of the human agent. What then is to be done?—Hear what God says: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” The yoke and the cross are symbols representing the same thing,—the giving up of the will to God. Wearing the yoke unites finite man in companionship with the dearly beloved Son of God. Lifting the cross cuts away self from the soul, and places man where he learns how to bear Christ’s burdens. We can not follow Christ without wearing his yoke, without lifting the cross and bearing it after him. If our will is not in accord with the divine requirements, we are to deny our inclinations, give up our darling desires, and step in Christ’s footsteps.
The Lord does not encourage the wisest, the most cherished plans of human beings if he sees that they are not for the health of the spirituality of his cause. Sometimes the Lord’s purposes come in direct opposition to plans in which the human agent can not see a flaw. Then it is that the right hand must be sacrificed and the right eye taken out. Purposes that seem in every way desirable may have to be given up. The Lord sees that for the spiritual health of the human agent and for the future well-being of his cause all self-confidence must be cut away. Human wisdom and self-sufficiency must be broken down.
Men frame for their own necks yokes that seem light and pleasant to wear, but they prove galling in the extreme. Christ sees this, and he says, Take my yoke upon you. The yoke you would place upon your own neck, thinking it a precise fit, will not fit at all. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me the lessons essential for you to learn; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. The Lord never makes a false estimate concerning his heritage. He measures the men with whom he is working. When they submit to his yoke, when they give up the struggle that has been unprofitable for themselves and for the cause of God, they will find peace and rest. When they become sensible of their own weakness, their own deficiencies, they will delight to do God’s will. They will submit to the yoke of Christ. Then God can work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure, which is often entirely contrary to the plans of the human mind. When the heavenly anointing comes to us, we shall learn the lesson of meekness and lowliness, which always brings rest to the soul.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Thanks, Anton,

PAX
Br. Francis

srajendra said...

Thank you for this wonderful article father. I stumbled upon it as I am now trying to memorise verses in the bible and did not understand the meaning of " yoke". Upon reading this article and making acup of tea, I tried once again and yes I did it. I wrote Matt 11.28-30 without looking into the bible once. God bless you and praise The Lord.

Becky WIlkenson said...

Preparing for a class yesterday, Matt 11:28-30 felt different to me. I've known it my entire life, even a song of such in church, but for some reason I really felt led to dissect this. I can't explain the joy of it. This morning I found your beautifully written words on the same. Thank you.

Becky WIlkenson said...

Preparing for a class yesterday, Matt 11:28-30 felt different to me. I've known it my entire life, even a song of such in church, but for some reason I really felt led to dissect this. I can't explain the joy of it. This morning I found your beautifully written words on the same. Thank you.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...


Becky and srajendra,

Thank you for your comments. It sounds as if the Holy Spirit is at work in your lives.

PAX
Br. Francis

Sunil said...

The Lord spoke to me through this passage last night at the college chapel and I was searching the net to study it more when I read your blog. This has been very useful. I work in a Christian teaching hospital in India. As I go to work today and live life today- I can see Jesus walking beside me- His hand on my shoulder- inviting me to join Him- offering His grace that is always sufficient. That picture came after I read your blog. Thank you- God bless you

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

That is wonderful, Sunil!

Thank you for sharing. Walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

PAX
Br. Francis

Graham said...

Thank you for what you have written and the picture, I really appreciate it. I have looked at other sites where I have read the author's "interpretation" of the meaning of Jesus' yoke and was pleased when I found your blog which clarified the picture Jesus gives us but allows each individual to let the Spirit lead their understanding. I like it that you asked rather than answered the question "Where is Jesus in this picture?". I also liked your clarification and reminder that obedience is really listening.
I woke up this morning with Jesus' words about rest and his yoke on my mind. As a young child I suffered from quite severe abuse and throughout my life since then I have never known true rest from the trauma. So many Christians talk about obedience without mentioning the real issue which is trust - you cannot obey someone you can't trust and you will always obey someone you do trust. I can see now that I can learn to trust someone who keeps right beside me, who's burden is my burden, for the burden of trauma is a true burden, one that Jesus bears with me. A meditation has started in my heart which I hope will bear much fruit.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Thank you, Graham.

Very well said.

I'm sorry about the experiences of your past. May the peace of Christ, who is gentle and humble of heart, give you rest.

PAX
Br. Francis

JR said...

Br. Francis,

I am one who came upon your blog looking for some enlightenment on the yoke that is easy and the burden light. I had grown up hearing this scriptural pronouncement; however, I realize that I never really pondered it.
I have just finished the english translation of, Chiara Corbella Petrillo: a Witness to Joy. It is a powerful book that belies its short, 184 pages. The following is a rendition in the late part of the story:
Chiara Petrillo was seated in a wheel chair looking lovingly toward Jesus in the tabernacle. Her husband, Enrico, found the courage to ask her a question that he had been holding back. Thinking of Jesus's phrase, "my yoke is sweet and my burden is light," he asked: "Is this yoke, this cross, really sweet, as Jesus said?"
A smile came across Chiara's face. She turned to her husband and said in a weak voice: "Yes, Enrico, it is very sweet."
"At 28 years old, Chiara passed away, her body ravaged by cancer. The emotional, physical, and spiritual trials of this young Italian mother are not uncommon. It was her joyful and loving response to each that led one cardinal to call her "a saint for our times."

My heart reacts to her answer; but my understanding is still struggling. How can dying from aggressive cancer, leaving a much loved toddler and much loved husband and still young marriage be sweet? I do not doubt Chiara's word. One cannot. But I fear that I will never understand, much less experience the sweetness of which she speaks. I read your blog with interest; I am still searching. If you can direct me, I would really appreciate it. But thank you for your words so far. I will struggle on....

Blessing be upon you,
Susan

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Thank you, Susan.

You ask a very difficult question--one that goes to the very heart of the Christian life and has been pondered for 2,000 years by theologians, philosophers, academics, authors, and just about every ordinary person who has ever walked this earth. That is: How do we reconcile the problem of pain and suffering with a loving God?

There is absolutely nothing sweet about the circumstances you describe -- a person ravaged and then claimed by cancer, grieving relatives, etc. Those things SHOULD repulse and sadden us, and the reason they do is that they are a result of our fallen world. God grieves with us because such circumstances are not what we were created for. The difference, from a Christian perspective, is that Christ took on that same disfigured, painful humanity and glorified it through his resurrection -- giving us hope for eternal life beyond the here and now. That is the sweetness for which we long, and that longing is what carries us through. You allude to this briefly when you say "my heart reacts, but my understanding is still struggling." Welcome to the mystery! The heart leads us, impels us to continue struggling for the eternal reward that awaits us. And along the way, in ways that we are often not able to discern--at least right away--God IS working good even among evil and horrible circumstances. This is our hope, our sweetness. And as Chiara demonstrated--and Christ before her--such sweetness helps and strengthens us to bear such trials.

This is the same mystery pondered in the Bible -- especially the Book of Job. Others have written about it from a Christian perspective -- such as C.S. Lewis. Still others, from a non-Christian perspective, such as Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning." All are worthwhile meditations. As the French poet Paul Claudel wrote, "Jesus did not come to remove suffering, or to explain it, but to fill it with his presence," (thereby giving it meaning).

"I am still searching...I will struggle on...," you write. That is all that God requires. "Seek and you will find," Jesus says (Luke 11:9). And so we search and struggle on, in faith, hope, and love. That is the sweetness.

PAX
Br. Francis

Unknown said...

The Pharisees had all these rules and regulations over 300. Christ took the Ten Commandments and made them two. Christ was in constant conflict with the Pharisees, from stripping grain on the Sabbath ,healing the sick on the Sabbath ,so taking his yoke upon you was much easier than the phariseeical laws.

Br. Francis de Sales Wagner said...

Yes, absolutely, Michael! Thanks.

The question for us is: "How do we respond to Jesus' invitation in our own time and circumstances?"

PAX
Br. Francis

Believer said...

How do we respond to Jesus' invitation in our time and circumstances?....you asked.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever.
Thus the response He seeks from us is not affected by the 21st century ways and circumstances.

To be led of the Spirit and be "sons of God" (Rom 8:14), we begin by obeying Acts 2:38 "Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." One then fulfills John 1:13 "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." With the following result (Mark 16:15-20) - the God-given I.D. of an anointed one(Christian Acts11:26)
In John 3:3-8 Jesus taught that one "cannot see" and one "cannot enter" the kingdom of God w/o being "born again". He also taught in John 4:21-24 that "the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth".
Paul the apostle taught in 1 Cor. 14:2 .."for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries" and in verse 14 "For if I pray in an (unknown) tongue my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful". Verse 15 goes on to teach that there are two ways to pray - in the understanding and in the spirit - with Jesus indicating which is required by God from His true worshippers!
Acts 19:1-7 teaches about the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins and the need to receive the Holy Spirit with the sign designated by the Father. This ties in with Acts 10 and 11 about the conversion of Cornelius the Gentile (pls note 10:44-48 and 11:14-18) which ties in with Isaiah 28:11,12 "for with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, THIS (my emphasis) is the rest [wherewith] ye may cause the weary to rest; and THIS is the refreshing: yet they would not hear."
Then we are given the rest promised in Matt 11:28. We will only start to "find rest unto your souls" when we begin to take HIS yoke, when we begin to "learn of" Him.
Upon obeying His commandments 32 years ago I was given that rest and am privileged to be walking in that Rest and that Refreshing (Heb 4:5-12).
From one who was at the point of becoming an atheist as I was so disillusioned and sceptical with what christianity (as I knew it then) offered and I did not want to live the rest of my days a hypocrite. I pray each reader will find it in themselves to put aside their own thoughts and truly follow Christ. Isa.58:8 "for My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD".

Unknown said...

This scripture brought me here: Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests. Proverbs 14:4

My interpretation, which may be way off, is that if Christ cannot help us to bear the load then there is no need for a Savior. And thanks to Him and His ability to help us day to day then there are abundant harvests of believers. Your thought?

From Milk to Meat said...

The yoke has to be placed evenly otherwise the animal will be drawn off course.

So the yoke could mean rightly dividing the word of truth in balancing the word of God.
An example of what I am saying is this, Many church people separate themselves away from the very people that need their help. Don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t curse, don’t swear and take what St Paul said in 2 Cor 6 literally and separate themselves and keep aloof from everyone else, but that needs to be balanced with what Jude said in his letter that ‘when there are some to be saved from the fire, pull them out; but there are others to whom you must be kind with great caution’.
Likewise there are some churches that are based on one scripture like mustard seed faith churches, yet Jesus rebuked his disciples for their little faith. So it's always good to halt at the crossroads and look back to the church fathers and let the Holy Spirit guide us 'into all the truth' so that we don't veer off and wreck our faith.