Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

Today’s Gospel reading is a beautiful and tender invitation from Jesus to come to him to find rest. You can hear the love in the tone and feel yourself softening in the hope that we can find rest and relief from our labor and burdens, and we all have them. It’s exactly what we want to hear when life feels most chaotic.

But I think there’s more in this brief reading to consider. To put on the yoke Jesus is offering means that we are going to work with him as his disciples. To learn from him is to seek to imitate him intentionally. Taking on the yoke means taking up our own cross and following Jesus to his.

The promised rest then takes on a new meaning. The rest that Jesus offers is not lazy or lethargic, and it’s not vegging out on the couch. It’s the most profound rest for our souls, knowing that Christ has conquered sin and death. The burden does become lighter when we take on the yoke of the disciple because we know regardless of what’s happening around us, he is in control if we only allow it.

How can we invite others into this rest?

Try this: Make this Swedish favorite, St. Lucia saffron buns, in honor of St. Lucy’s memorial. Read her amazing story with the family. St. Lucy, pray for us!

Jesus, thank you for the invitation to come to you with my labor and my burdens. Grant me the grace to take your yoke upon me daily as your disciple.