Reflection

Inscribed on a tablet in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty in New York City is a poem entitled The New Colossus. Part of the poem says: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-toss to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door. On that island where Lady Liberty stands, many immigrants passed through. Not only were they tired from their journey across the waters of the Atlantic, they were also weary of the challenges of life. They needed a place of rest and a land of comfort.

We find the words of Jesus more inspiring than the words of the poem mentioned. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden light. This loving invitation of Jesus is extended to everyone. We see here the great compassion of Jesus for all those who are ready to give up. Included in this invitation are those who are lost and do not know what to do with their own life, those who want to stop by the wayside and rest from the rat race of competition and accumulation.

We all get tired. We feel weary and burdened by many things in life. Some get tired of their work probably because they don’t find meaning in them. Something is missing in it, maybe a spiritual way of looking at one’s work. Some are burdened with the need to prove themselves all the time; proving they are worthy, better, and, successful in everything. Others are tired of meaningless relationships, fulfilling everyone else’s expectations or just being right and doing the right thing all the time. Some might be weary of taking care of an aging parent or a sick family member. One might be weary of an indifferent spouse, a rebellious child or abusive parents. Others might be too tired of their repeated failures in whatever attempts they do to better themselves and their relationships.

Whether we are only half-weary or almost wiped out or totally tired and burdened, the great invitation of Jesus continues to echo in our heart: Come to me and I will give you rest. In me you will find rest. You don’t need to prove yourselves worthy. I love you in spite of and even in your unworthiness. I have made you worthy. Stay with me even for a short while and I guarantee that you will be renewed and regain your strength.

Response

Come to the heart of Jesus. There you will find love like no other. There you will find rest.