The Gentle Mastery of Christ

Today's Reflections

The Gentle Mastery of Christ 

http://graceandspace.org

Mt 11:28-30

[Jesus said,] ²⁸“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Reflection:

Meek and humble of heart. Meekness means gentleness. Jesus comes not to punish or condemn or burden us. He comes to lighten our burden, to comfort us in our affliction, and to console us in our sorrow. Being meek of heart, Jesus is always ready to accept us back and to forgive us.

Humble of heart means that Jesus is not lording it over us. He does not dominate or impose on or force us. In his humility, Jesus is not bitter, frustrated, or disappointed with our repeated falls into sin. He continues to understand and trust us. He is even inviting us to come to him and to learn to be like him.

Let us pattern our hearts after the heart of Jesus.

Our hearts must be pure. A pure heart will speak good words to people. A pure heart will not look for mistakes from them. A pure heart will not make excuses for one’s misgivings.

Our hearts must be clean. A clean heart will perform honest and worthy works. A clean heart is not insecure about someone’s popularity or success.

Our hearts must be full of love. A loving heart is always forgiving. It does not get tired of serving. A loving heart promotes and preserves life. It is always open to help and desires another’s healing. A loving heart works for the salvation of the beloved.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart,

make our hearts like unto yours.