Gospel Reflections for July 9 2017
Come to me …and I will give you rest.
These comforting words from Jesus in today’s Gospel were very welcome to His disciples. He knew they struggled to live under hundreds of detailed religious regulations, plus the daily grind of harsh Roman military occupation and incredibly high taxes. His message was just what they needed to hear.
Jesus used an image from their own experience. Farmers in those days would harness oxen to a large wooden yoke that would keep them walking straight when plowing a field. People then saw religious laws also as a kind of “yoke” since they guided your life on the right path of virtue as well. However, over time those laws greatly increased from the original 10 Commandments to over 600 rules that minutely guided all behavior. Adding all the Roman rules made life simply unbearable.
Life is different with Jesus. His simple invitation to love God, your neighbor, and yourself is a much lighter “yoke” and a lot easier to bear. “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” It is simple, clear, and direct, and in that very simplicity offers hope and relief. Our faith might not change the economy, the weather, or politics, but it can change each of us and how we live each day.
This month, I am glad to welcome two priests who know this simple life of faith well.
This week we welcome Fr. Abebe Teklemariam from Ethiopia, Africa. Fr. Abebe (A-bay-bay) is both a former high school principal and regional school supervisor near Lake Tana, in northern Ethiopia. He is here for several years to study for a Ph.D. in psychology.
Next week we will also welcome Fr. James Valladares from Australia. Fr. James is a psychologist on vacation here until the end of August and happy to help at St. Bruno. Both priests were regular summer guests of my former parish of St. Paschal Baylon in Ventura County and I am glad to welcome them here now. I know them both to be guided only by the simple “yoke” of Our Lord.
In the Gospel, Jesus rejoices as He sees the positive effect of His message on His followers. Their lives changed for the better and Our Lord is happy to see it.
I hope you also will find some well deserved rest in these summer months, and find a deeper rest in the simple faith we have from Our Lord.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Father Dave,
Dick and I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious faith of loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and joyyyyyyyyyy!!!! Thw world becomes sooooooooooooooo beautiful when Jesus’ love is radiated to everyone!!!You and ,Father Adebe and Father James make the world beautiful by sharing our Jesus’ love!!!
Receiving our Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and receiving forgiveness of our sins transforms us in love!! It doesnt get any better then that!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeee,
Franca and Dick
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our President’s Trump’s words!!!We want God”!!!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee franca and Dick
The Polish people have been a towering example of Christianity for over a thousand years!
Yes, we are so glad to welcome them both here!
I am really impressed by the mood-setting pictures that you include at the beginning of your articles. They are always so appropriate. It must take a lot of searching to find them.
It is amazing that the farmers could plow a straight line walking behind those dumb animals. It must take a lot of skill to control them.
Please offer our kind regards to Fathers James and Abebe.
I will send your greetings to them for sure.
You just wonder what kind of man Jesus was, giving us these simple directions for a good life..with Him? I wonder how I would respond, hearing Jesus’ words back then? Would I be a “Mary Magdalene” and follow Him, washing His feet?…helping Martha cook for the 12 apostles?…idolizing Him. Or would I be a voice in the crowd yelling, “Crucify Him!” What kind of believer would I have been? (what kind, today?)
We are so exposed to “scams” in our lives these days. I, for one, am skeptical. I keep a wary watch on things being too easy, too cheap. Would I consider Jesus a scam?…a shiest?” Sometimes, I am too wise, too late. But I am drawn to Jesus now and love reading His words. I love His analogies…for the poorly educated man to see and recognize….like me..
All good questions! I like your sincerity. I am sure you would have followed Him well!
I am commenting again…I am curious how I would have reacted to Jesus’ words if I lived during His time? I feel watching the miracles, the healing would have “sealed the dea.” for me….maybe. To speak to crowds with no microphone, on hillsides and pastures…what an excellent speaker! What a man HE was! I am in awe of how he accomplished such believability to an audience.with radical beliefs of what they were living under.
The “man” Jesus was, his physicalness on this earth fascinates me…no comparison to anyone today…..signing off, Sherry
Well said!
Welcome to Father Abebe and Father James. Undoubtedly, sharing their life experiences with the parishioners at St. Bruno’s will be an enriching and interesting experience for all!
Yes, they are two very dedicated Priests!
The absence of Fr. Abebe and Fr. James has left us decidedly less faith enriched. We have been so blessed by their sojourns at St. Paschal’s. St. Bruno’s parishioners can look forward to, and be thankful for, their presence among you.
Bob and Rose Mary Swanstrom SPB
Yes, I agree about their impact at St. Paschal’s. They are two wonderful examples of dedicated service.
I will miss hearing Fr. Abebe’s adventures at home. I hope St. Bruno’s knows how lucky they are to have you and all your friends.
I am glad that the people of St. Bruno will meet them!
Hi. Fr Dave,
I had the blessing of treating Fr. Abebe as a patient in our dental office in SV. He always took my breath away as he spoke like he was prayering the rosary. I found him to be sweet and kind and full of mercy!! Please send my best regards to him from Ralph and I.
I hope to meet Fr. James one day.
Yes. Jesus really does make life
A lot lighter and happier.
What a wonderful message! I will relay it to them for sure.
.Could it be that we grow weary searching for happiness apart from God…and when we
come to Him He lightens our burdens and gives us rest… “For My yoke is easy and my burden
and My burden is light”
Glad to hear that Fr. Abebe is coming back. We wish him every success in his
educational endeavors.
Yes, you can be sure he will do well in his education program.
Dear Father Dave,
Your weekly messages are straightforward and most definitely inspirational. Thank you so much.
This particular Gospel soothes the heart with peace….
You are very welcome!