Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The admonition in today’s gospel that those who learn from the Lord will attain a light burden may seem a bit simplistic if not unrealistic. A recitation of the heroic lives of the saints usually leaves us breathless as to their almost super human strength. The quickest read of the life of Frances Cabrini reveals how strenuous her life must have been. Perhaps the “lightness” of the burden comes in knowing that one’s work is towards a project that spreads the kingdom of God. Perhaps nothing in our lives is more burdensome than a project that seems to go nowhere, makes no sense, and entails endless meetings simply prolong the agony. Any task that serves a value seems to be much lighter than one that has no meaning. It was for this reason that Ignatius always reminded young Jesuits in studies that studies may seem fruitless and boring and that even in their effort one works for the greater glory and honor of God.