My yoke is easy

REFLECTIONS TODAY**media[27127]**The yoke is a wooden halter placed on an animal’s neck and harnessed to a plow or a cart. A circular yoke is placed on a person’s neck to mark him as a prisoner or a slave. In rabbinic theology, “yoke” is a metaphor or symbol of servitude and obedience to a higher authority.By speaking about the “yoke of the Torah,” the Jewish rabbis refer to one’s obedience to the tenets of the covenant, by accepting the “yoke of the commandments.” But by their meticulous interpretations of the Law and oral traditions, the Pharisees make of the Torah a heavy yoke which they place on people’s shoulders, a burden they themselves do not want or are unable to carry.Jesus has his “yoke” which he invites people to carry. It is an easy yoke and a light burden, not because he does away with commands; rather, he gives them a true and deeper interpretation, and reveals the “spirit” with which to follow them—in love and in obedience to the Father’s will.At times, the “yoke” of Jesus’ commands may appear even more difficult— as forgiving without limit, or being pure in one’s heart, or loving as he loves. But by being “yoked” to Jesus and remaining with him, obeying God’s commandments can be a liberating experience.First Reading • Ex 3:13-20Moses, hearing the voice of the Lord from the burning bush, said to him, “When I go to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ if they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?”God replied, “I am who am.” Then he added, “This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: I am sent me to you.” God spoke further to Moses, “Thus shall you say to the children of Israel: The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.“This is my name forever; this my title for all generations. “Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and tell them: The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I am concerned about you and about the way you are being treated in Egypt; so I have decided to lead you up out of the misery of Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.“Thus they will heed your message. Then you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him: The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent us word. Permit us, then, to go a three-days’ journey in the desert, that we may offer sacrifice to the Lord, our God.“Yet I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go unless he is forced. I will stretch out my hand, therefore, and smite Egypt by doing all kinds of wondrous deeds there. After that he will send you away.”Responsorial Psalm • Ps 105“The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.” or “Alleluia.”Gospel • Matthew 11:28-30Jesus 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.”Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.