THE WRONG STUFF
One
of the best reads I had in years is a book entitled Don’t Sweat the
Small Stuff... and It’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. This is how
the book describes its contents: “So many of us would like to live our
lives in a calmer and less stressful way, and be able to let go of our
problems. (This book) shows you how to stop letting the little things in
life drive you crazy.”
I find this book interesting, considering how stressful my life can
sometimes be. Imagine shuttling from one activity to another, one
sacrament to the next, and so on. The book contains essays suggesting
daily changes that could make a lot of difference in one’s life.
Some of the thoughts that Carlson shares in his book echoes the exact
challenge of Jesus in the few verses of today’s Gospel — not so much
with the rest that the Lord will provide to those who seek solace in
Him, but in the yoke that He will give which, as He describes, is easy
and light.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and
my burden is light.” Could these words of Jesus reveal why our lives are
sometimes burdensome and, in the words above, stressful? Could it be
because we are carrying the yokes that we are not supposed to carry, and
we insist on carrying them? Might we be sweating the wrong stuff, those
that are not God-given?
Try to sort out the things that are now on your backs. Then let the
words of Jesus reverberate in your mind and heart. You might be causing
yourself so much pain and trouble carrying something that you are not
supposed to carry — because if it is really from Jesus it should be
easy. It should be light. Fr. Sandy Enhaynes
REFLECTION QUESTION: What stuff are you carrying during this busy season?
Oh dear Jesus, You know me. I need Your help to choose well what to carry. Show me the way.
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