Posted by The WORD in other words (2014) by Sister Tessa Artita SSpS – School of the Holy Spirit, Tarlac City
Thursday 15th Week in Ordinary Time
Summertime for our family was to travel back to my parent’s home province and be with our grandmother and relatives. As a child, I enjoyed those two or three-kilometer hikes to some barrios or mountain villages just to visit our close relatives whom we seldom see. Bathe in the sweat from the summer sun, we would rest awhile under pili nut trees, or balig-ang fruit trees and walk again as we refresh ourselves with our native anahaw (wide palm leaf) woven fans.
Often at certain areas along the road were friendly call, “Marina ngon-a digdi sa balay magpahingalo!” (Come! Rest for awhile in our house!) We would gratefully accept the gracious invitation and also enjoy the refreshing lambed (young coconut drink), or the tasty native fruits or nuts, or the rice cake they offer. This was the tradition in my place with is still practiced this time although to a lesser degree.
Jesus’ words in the Gospel today is truly one of the choicest and most popular verses that touch human hearts. For me, it reveals Jesus’ graciousness as he invites each one to come close and experience rest and comfort. He extends a loving relationship to us which extends a loving relationship to us which produces manifold blessings, just as he maintains a strong relationship with the Father.
“Come!” What a moving and appealing call to the heart of those who feel weighed down by problems or confusions in daily life. “Take my yoke and learn from me…” For the burn out or worn out, get away with me, go hiking and enjoy my company, learn the rhythms of grace as you look back to your busy hours ans steep with my face up and down the mountains, or moving rough waters.
Come, rest awhile in our hose. How can our homes, our communities, our hearts be a refreshing place to rest awhile for others — for pilgrims bathe in the sweat of the summer sun, or shivering in the wintry wind, or overly stressed from the unwelcome yoke? There is joy in extending gracious invitation to others and walking according to the pace of God.
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