Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 15th Week in Ordinary Time – Thursday – Matthew 11:28-30

The Gospel reading from the Mass for Thursday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time is Matthew 11:28-30.

Having revealed the blessings and power the Father has given Him, Christ offers to give peace and joy to men. Christ knows men’s burdens: at one with the Father at Eden, Christ purposefully gave men toil to remind them of their dependence on God (Gen 3:17-19); Christ willingly carries man’s burden through His years as a simple carpenter. In the Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection, Christ now shows that in Him, men can be reconciled with God and be relieved of their burden.

For relief from the burdens of the world, Christ reiterates His exhortation in the Old Testament for men to pursue Divine Wisdom (Sirach 51) with an incredible revelation: Christ is Wisdom personified! He promises in His Divine Mercy to draw men to Him in gentleness, relieving the suffering of men who seek Him. To seek Him, Christ invites men to come to Him, to learn from Him and to take on His yoke of the Christian life; in this, Christ promises men rest.

Christ’s call to take on His yoke life-changing. The yoke is His yoke, through which men are united with Christ. Christ does not impose His yoke, but gives man free will to give himself to Him. His yoke becomes the vocation of disciples to labor for the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ does not take away our burdens, but helps us carry our duties in the world with joy, realizing that we are contributing in our meager way to His plan of Salvation History. Christ’s yoke is one of complete obedience to Christ in the willing and joyful carrying of our own cross.

Awed by Jesus Christ –  Son of Man, Jesus knows the struggles of men and promises them peace. Divine Prophet, Jesus proclaims that Old Testament writings that are hundreds of years old are about Him. Divine Wisdom, Christ reveals that His is Wisdom personified.  Divine Mercy, Christ desires all men to find relief and rest.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) The age of the Internet has made huge amounts of human knowledge (and perversion) available to all. Realize in Christ is infinite Wisdom, infinitely exceeding the mind-boggling information found on the Internet, encompassing the knowledge of God that exceeds His Creation.  Be awed.

2) Knowing that men suffer the burdens of the world (overwork, oppression, physical suffering, emotional turmoil) Christ comes into the world to give men peace. Reflection upon why Christ became Flesh (CCC 456-460) and give praise and glory to the Father for sending the Son.

3) Some couples go through tough times when their marriage can seem like an unbearable burden. Reflect on Marriage in the Lord (CCC 1612-1617) and pray for Christ to strengthen and fill all Catholic marriages with peace and joy.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Luminous Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Holy Eucharist

Virtue of the Day – Fortitude

Corporal Work of Mercy – To shelter the homeless

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To bear wrongs patiently