Remain united with Him!

A reflection done during our catechist meeting today:
(taken from Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer, authored by Sr Sandra Seow, Verbum Dei SG)

Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said, 'Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.'

Come
Jesus has just one word for us today. Come!
His love always bids us to come and never go away. His hands stretch out to us, wanting to give us his rest, his inner peace. Many times, when we pray this passage, we have certain resistances. We think that Jesus should then remove all problems we have in our lives. We then look at all the unpaid bills, the boss who keeps finding fault, the spouse who is always not at home, the children who are demanding and the stream of endless problems. We simply find it hard to believe the words of Jesus. Jesus will not remove our past, present and future difficulties. He tells us, ' Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.'

Difficulties and hardships are part and parcel of life. We will always have them, but we will also always have Jesus with us. He gives us strength, courage, peace, and love to go on.

There is a writing that goes like this:
'I asked God to take away my temptation. God said, 'No, It is not for me to take away but for you to give it up.' I asked God to make my handicapped child well. God said, 'No. Her spirit is whole. Her body is only temporary.' I asked God to give me patience. God said, 'No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn't granted. It is earned.' I asked God to give me happiness. God said, 'No, I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.' I asked God to spare me pain. God said, 'No, Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.' I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, 'No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune to make you fruitful.' I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, 'No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.' I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me. God said, 'Ahhh,..finally you have the idea.' Jesus calls out to us with just one word, 'Come'

Do we go to Him so that we can find real rest? Or do we walk away from Him?

When we go to Jesus, He makes us see things, people, and events, even ourselves with eyes of faith, i.e., with God's eyes. From Him, we live a life of true inner peace, even in the midst of our storms. Let us stay close to Jesus and remain united with Him!