From the Pastor
Fr. Mike Comer shares his thoughts on Scripture, spirituality and the challenges of living the Gospel.
"I Will Give You Rest"
July 5, 2026
Some of Jesus’ words are challenging, to say the least. But most of them are comforting and healing. That is true in today’s Gospel. It contains some of the kindest and most inviting anywhere in the Gospels.
“Come to Me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Who is not burdened in some way, whether by our own or other’s heath concerns, who labor to make a living, to handle kid problems or parent problems, etc.? I do not have to remind you what your burdens and labors are. Jesus is letting us know how much He cares about what we are going through. He wants to be our strength, our comforter, and our healer. “I will give you rest.”
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” In those times, a yoke was made from wood, and would harness multiple animals of burden to one another, so they could pull a plow, or some other instrument. This helped the driver to guide them in the same direction. Often the yoke would become heavy and a burden for the animals. It would also rub on their shoulders, making them sore and raw.
“Come to Me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Who is not burdened in some way, whether by our own or other’s heath concerns, who labor to make a living, to handle kid problems or parent problems, etc.? I do not have to remind you what your burdens and labors are. Jesus is letting us know how much He cares about what we are going through. He wants to be our strength, our comforter, and our healer. “I will give you rest.”
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” In those times, a yoke was made from wood, and would harness multiple animals of burden to one another, so they could pull a plow, or some other instrument. This helped the driver to guide them in the same direction. Often the yoke would become heavy and a burden for the animals. It would also rub on their shoulders, making them sore and raw.
Jesus is assuring us that His yoke, His teaching, His laws would not be a burden and load, but would give us peace, and strength, and healing. He tells us, “My yoke is easy, and My burden light.”
Jesus always wants to bless us, not to burden us. That is not to say that following Jesus will always be easy. It is not. Elsewhere, He warns us that if we are not willing to take up our crosses, and follow Him, then we cannot be His disciples. But He will help us carry our crosses and help us learn and grow from our struggles.
—Fr. Mike Comer
Jesus always wants to bless us, not to burden us. That is not to say that following Jesus will always be easy. It is not. Elsewhere, He warns us that if we are not willing to take up our crosses, and follow Him, then we cannot be His disciples. But He will help us carry our crosses and help us learn and grow from our struggles.
—Fr. Mike Comer
