Isaiah 26
In the first reading today, Prophet Isaiah proclaims “the way of the righteous is level”. He tells us that the Just One makes “smooth the path of the righteous”. Do you agree? But how can we reconcile these words of the prophet with all the toils and sufferings good people of God have to endure?
Jesus calls us to himself today in the gospel, telling us to take his yoke and learn from him. But is his yoke really easy and his burden really light? It seems Christians have to bear a lot more burdens than nonbelievers – religious obligations, morality, doctrines. On top of them, Christians have to carry blames for lots of global and social problems.
One of the insights this pandemic gave to me is that there are very few things in this consumerist world that are essential to life. And almost all I have does not help me to arrive at eternal life. On the contrary, they often become obstacles on the way to it. I create obstacles by spending my resources. The more I remove my unnecessary desires from my heart, the bigger space I have for spiritual freedom to be with the Lord. The “righteous” person Isaiah speaks of is one who is in the right relationship with the Lord. To be righteous before God, I need to remove unnecessary desires from my heart and vanity from my life. Then, the way will be level and smooth. When I desire only the Lord Jesus, I won’t have to bear all the cares of the world. My shoulders will be freed from all burdens of care and worry. When my heart is not on the things of this world, I won’t care if I have to bear blames for the name of Jesus. Only If I can take his name alone on my shoulders, I will find true rest.
