Jesus says his burden is light. But when you go to church, it may seem like you’re more burdened than ever, and then, even worse, judged for not being a better Christian. So, how can being a Christian be a “light burden”?
Religion in Jesus’s day sometimes works like religion in our day—it’s about playing politics, jumping through the right hoops, and checking the right box.
The Temple authorities and the Pharisees imposed the heavy burden of the Law on the people: they had to make sure they ate the right foods, washed in the right way, and celebrated in the proper manner.
These authorities studied the Law, its language, and all the fine details. They believed this would draw them closer to God. To us, this may seem like we too had to have a Ph.D. in biblical studies to get it all right.
But, along comes Jesus and reorients it all.
He says it’s not about all that. Instead, we come to know God as a son knows his father.
A son doesn’t get to know his father by reading books and studying. How awful would that be?
Instead, a son gets to know his father and learn from him by living in his presence, listening to his voice, and imitating him as an apprentice does a master.
If Church is being done right, we gather as a community to be in the Father’s presence.
We gather to hear the story of how God emptied himself for us. How Christ gave his life so that we can be healed.
We come together as one to participate in the Life of Christ and to learn how to imitate this.
God doesn’t stand over us like a policeman—nor should the Church.
Instead, Christ welcomes all who abandon themselves to his mercy. God welcomes us as a father does his own child.
The Reading
All things were delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and neither does anyone know the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. Come to me, all who toil and are burdened, and I shall give you rest. Take my yoke upon yourselves and learn from me, because I am gentle and accommodating in heart, and you will find rest for your souls; For my yoke is mild and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:27-10)