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Gospel Reading for July 16, 2026 – Matthew 11: 28-30
HAVEN OF REST
Jesus said: “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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These are some of the things that make our lives burdensome: unresolved hurts and grief; the need to control everything at home, at work, and in other areas of life; the daily stress of meeting our basic needs; the desire to please others and maintain a good reputation; the compulsive pursuit of wealth, properties, and possessions; striving for unrealistic goals; comparing ourselves and our lives with those of others; and so much more.
In short, life becomes burdensome when our responsibilities and external pressures exceed our capacity to cope.
When we listen to Jesus, however, we discover a different way to live:
“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you” (Mt 6: 14)
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “ (Matthew 6: 25-27)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 6: 1)
“Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12: 15)
When we listen and follow the ways of Jesus, truly, our life ceases to be burdensome.
Thank you Jesus! May we always find a HAVEN OF REST in you!
