Take my yoke upon you

WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER (Mt 11,28-30)

That is how Sweetness and lovability of the law of the Lord are sung by the Psalm: “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The statutes of the Lord are true, all of them just; More desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold, Sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb. By them your servant is warned; obeying them brings much reward. Who can detect trespasses? Cleanse me from my inadvertent sins. Also from arrogant ones restrain your servant; let them never control me. Then shall I be blameless, innocent of grave sin. Let the words of my mouth be acceptable, the thoughts of my heart before you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Ps 19 (18), 8.15). When will a man feel the sweetness and lovability of God’s Law? Only when he submits to it with prompt, immediate and eternal obedience.

For the Law to be observed, it must necessarily also be known in its inner truth. The Psalmist asks the Lord for all intelligence so that he understands the Law, but also to keep the Law in his heart and to guard himself in the Law: “Lord, teach me the way of your statutes; I shall keep them with care. Give me understanding to keep your law, to observe it with all my heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for that is my delight. Direct my heart toward your testimonies and away from gain. Avert my eyes from what is worthless; by your way give me life. For your servant, fulfill your promise made to those who fear you. Turn away from me the taunts I dread, for your judgments are good. See how I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.

This prayer must be with no interruption. If we fail to ask for this grace, the heart immediately takes cross ways, abandons itself to temptation, breaks the covenant and becomes a transgressor of the divine will manifested to it: “Let your mercy come to me, Lord, salvation in accord with your promise. Let me answer my taunters with a word, for I trust in your word. Do not take the word of truth from my mouth, for in your judgments is my hope. I will keep your law always, for all time and forever. I will walk freely in an open space because I cherish your precepts. I will speak openly of your testimonies without fear even before kings. I delight in your commandments, which I dearly love. I lift up my hands to your commandments; I study your statutes, which I love” (Ps 119 (118) 33-48). Every believer in God must know that taste for the Law, love for it, desire to make it become his thought and will is a gift that must always descend from Heaven. This is why he must never forget to ask for this gift, on which all of his life will depend, both in time and in eternity. From the observance of the Law is life. From disobedience is death.

“Come to me, all you who labour 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 your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Everything in us is the fruit of divine mercy. God is asked to make us what He commands: “All my hope is placed in the immense greatness of your mercy. Give what you command and command what you want. You command us continence and someone said: “Conscious that no one can be continent if God does not grant it, this was already a sign of wisdom, to know from whom this gift comes to us.” In truth, continence gathers us and leads us back to that unity which we have left dispersing ourselves in the manifold. He loves you less who loves other things with you without loving them because of you. O love, that always burn without ever becoming extinct, charity, my God, inflame me. Command continence. Well, give what you command and command what you want” (Confessions X, 29.40). It is a prayer that must always be raised to our God in the Holy Spirit.

Mother of God, Angels, Saints, help us to take upon us the sweet yoke of Christ Jesus.