Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened
and I will give you rest.
The Gospel seems clear that Jesus wants us to come to him with our burdens. However, I have found in my life that often times that is easier said than done. Especially growing up in a culture that promotes independence and self-reliance as cardinal goods. As a young man, I bought into the myth that sharing what was burdening me merely showed weakness and an inability to get along. I put on a show of being successful and happy, but inside I was pretty empty and miserable.
It wasn’t until my late 20’s, when I began meeting with a small group reunion of faith companions after attending a Cursillo retreat weekend that I began to learn that sharing your weaknesses and burdens is the only way to truly get along. The men I shared with each Saturday constantly helped me to lean more and more on Jesus in times of struggle and to recognize His help in every success. From that time until today meeting on a regular basis with faith companions has helped me more and more to turn to Christ and to Christ in others to lighten my burdens and find rest for myself. My faith companions have also given me many opportunities to hold up Jesus’ mercy and love for them when they share their burdens. Over the years we have grown in our capacity to be Christ for each other and for others we encounter in our daily lives.
Over the decades, the faith sharing groups I have journeyed with have evolved and changed with the stages of my faith life, but this small community involvement has been a bedrock of my walk with Christ since 1992. Through my brothers and sisters in Christ, I have come to know that I never have to do it alone. Thanks be to God because I have also learned that I absolutely cannot do it alone. I still have bad days and good days, but my heart is full of the joy and peace that can only come from Jesus.
Yes, Jesus wants us to come to Him with our burdens. Yes, Jesus will give us rest and peace and joy. But, can you admit as I have that often times we need companions to help us do that? Who helps you find your way to Jesus? How have you helped others find their way to Jesus? Let’s admit the truth, “We all need God and Community”.