HOME > Prayers > Meditations > 2011 July
Vocation Meditation -
July 3, 2011
"I thank you Father...because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants"
Jesus' prayer in today's Gospel offers us a unique window on His intimacy with God the Father. He shares with us an insight on how the face of God is turned toward the poor. Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez, a Latin American theologian, says of this Gospel: 'God's preference for the little ones, comes from the human situation where God chooses to reveal his redeeming love, first to the poor, the hungry, the afflicted, the sheep without a shepherd, children, the non invited of the world who don't get to share much if any in the goods of the world that originate from God's bounty.' It is a free and totally generous love that God shows us, which is reflected in the person of Jesus and all his actions. This love which motivates Jesus to thank his Father as He does is also an invitation for us to thank God daily for our lives and our vocation as we grow more and more fully like His Son.
This helps us understand why Jesus can say: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...for my yoke is easy and my burden light." He is promising that when we unite everything we do in our daily lives with Him, Jesus in turn will offer it to the Father. When our lives and actions are lived in Christ and linked daily with His cross, we will not only be transformed by Him but become eager to share this experience with others. Truly living our vocation in life is always attractive to others, inviting them seek the same joy, peace, and purpose in life. Together as laity, religious and clergy, a pilgrim people in Christ, we will advance slowly but surely towards the Resurrection.
Reflection:
How do I see myself responding to the invitation of Christ: "Take my yoke and learn from me...for my yoke is easy and my burden light? How free do I want to become in Christ?
Prayer: Loving God, grant me the courage to respond humbly to the invitation of your Son Jesus Christ to live my life yoked with Him, so that we can do everything together as You have willed for our happiness. Amen.
For the full Gospel reading for this Sunday, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.