‘Come to me all who are weary and burdened…’

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).

I studied practical theology because of its ability to address issues that are real in our lives. Practical theology begins with issues, situations or contexts that need interpretation. I have often told people that God would not give us a cross that is too heavy to carry. Of course, many have strongly objected to this view. Many people have tried several times to convince me that their cross is beyond them to carry. I have often replied to these people that probably their cross is too heavy to carry because they intend to carry it alone. A cross carried without God, indeed, could be too heavy to lift.

Mt 11:28 is an invitation from Jesus Christ to us to come to him. Who are the people invited to come to him in this scriptural passage? Scholars have varied interpretations and opinions on this biblical passage. Some believed that those invited are those who are spiritually caged by sin. Sin is an obstacle to have full intimacy with God. Human beings have the freedom to choose. Any choice we make, of course, has some consequences. We are free to say no to sin, or to be caged by sin. When we give up sin, we have the courage to come to Jesus.

Jesus’ heart is large enough to accommodate all of us. He is our brother. But more often, he is our friend. He is a friend to sinners. He has demonstrated on many occasions his ability to extend his hands to us. He said, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice’ (Mt 9:13). Jesus also extends his hand of friendship to the repentant thief on the cross. Hence, Jesus said, “Today, you shall be with me in Paradise’ (Lk 23:43). Jesus will be happy to forgive us our sins. After all, he said, “Your sins are forgiven you” (Lk 5:23). It is left for us to unload our burdens of sins to Jesus, who is ever ready to receive us, as his faithful friends. Are we ready?

Mt 11:28 is also an invitation to those who are suffering in this world. Life is very challenging for many people. There is much to worry about. Life is all about ups and downs, disappointments, failures, illnesses, grief, betrayals, layoffs and family issues. Sometimes, we meet with irreconcilable rifts among us. There is anger among brothers, communities and nations. We worry about both natural and unnatural disasters. Students worry about achieving high grades. We could worry about how to pay our accumulating bills or job security. In the face of all these, life could be full of chaos and stress. There are many things that we can worry about. But to every one of us, these problems may vary in importance. To all of us who face these types of problems, Jesus is extending an invitation to have rest. It is only in Jesus that we shall find lasting love, peace and comfort.

Jesus makes the promise of rest to those who are not only saddened with sin, but also to those who are burdened with problems, disappointments, failures and frustrations. Jesus will never disappoint us. He will never leave us alone. Let us make our struggle that of Jesus’. Let us carry our cross with Jesus. Our cross will become burdensome only when we carry it alone.

Father Joachim Ifezuo Oforchukwu, C.S.Sp., holds doctorates in education and practical theology.