Gospel

Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus answered:

"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for although you have hidden these things

from the wise and the learned

you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

No one knows the Son except the Father,

and no one knows the Father except the Son

and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.

"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.”

Reflection

Saint Francis is the most well known saint of the Catholic tradition, and the reason is his message. His message was not about judgment and condemnation or about working harder for everything. It was about appreciating beauty, the beauty in nature, the beauty in animals, the beauty in human nature. His message was always that of hope and joy. And he had left the world because he saw that it was corrupting him and he entered into a place of peace with his brothers. Real community.

No wonder he is the model, the model of who we should become.

Closing Prayer

Father, awaken us to the wonder. The beauty that's around us. We can really get tied up in working on fixing things and trying to make things better than they are, but there is something so essential about resting in the moment and drinking of all the beauty that God has created for us. It keeps us balanced. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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