Meditation: Matthew 11:28-30

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin (Memorial)

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

“The list of time- and labor-saving devices at our disposal seems to stretch from here to eternity, and I still feel tired and pressed for time.” If this statement describes you in any way, then Jesus wants to speak to you. “Come to me . . . and I will give you rest. . . . Learn from me . . . and you will find rest” (Matthew 11:28, 29). Here is our hope, the promise of comfort and release from all the pressures we experience.

Come to me; come, sit with me for a few minutes. Tell me your troubles, your hopes, and your dreams. Let me comfort you. Let me soothe your mind and spirit. Enjoy my company, and let me enjoy yours.

Make no mistake: Jesus enjoys being with us. He created us, he loves us, and he wants to share our lives—both the good and the not so good.

Learn from me; learn my love for you. Learn my delight in you. Let me tell you my thoughts and desires for you. Let me tell you about my Father, about his kindness, compassion, and faithfulness.

Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to teach us and to revive us as we open our hearts and minds to God in prayer. He gave us the Spirit to refresh us as we celebrate the Eucharist, as we enjoy our families, and even as we go about our daily activities. All that is needed is that we come to him.

I will give you rest; I will lift you up. I will feed you. I will pour out grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Sit with me. Rest in me. Receive my teaching.

At Mass, in prayer, as we are waking up, and as we are going to sleep at night—at all these times, we can relax in God’s presence. We can trust that he will do the work needed to build us up. Distractions may abound, but God is faithful, and he will give us his rest.

“Jesus, I want to sit quietly with you. Thank you for spending time with me, restoring and reviving me.”

Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19
Psalm 102:13-21