How many souls are at rest? There is a lot of agitation today in many souls. Many are heavy laden with stress and anxiety. Vices, ill will and misguided righteousness can weigh on the shoulders like a heavy wooden bar laid across the back and neck. Our ability to direct and decide is subverted by these burdens; by the labor of a restless soul that is likely seeking rest.

“Come to me,” is the warm invitation from Jesus, “and I will give you rest” (St. Matthew 11:28).

He offers an exchange. He invites us to take that which weighs us down and, “Take my yoke upon you…learn from me; for I am meek and humble of heart” (St. Matthew 11:29).

Look over the arc of Jesus’ time on earth. Through His teachings, healing, miracles and ultimate sacrifice we learn of a heart ‘full of goodness and love’*, ‘patient and most merciful,’* a ‘source of consolation’*, gentle, compassionate and an ‘abyss of all virtues’*.

“You will find rest for your souls,” He tells us. His yoke is easy. His burden is light. To be meek and humble can be refreshing change of pace in light of the angst of the current day.

The first step is letting down our current stress, anxiety, vice, ill-will — anything that keeps us from gentleness and virtue. Letting it go. Depart from that dry arid place and take rest in the shade of gentleness and feel the gentle breeze of humility.

*phrases taken from the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.