Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened… Math 11, 11,28

Jesus’ words ring familiar and close today. We are aware that contemporary men and women suffer from considerable psychological pressure. The world is constantly changing, making it impossible for us to keep up, and we lack the time and inner peace to adapt. Too often, we distance ourselves from the simplicity of the Gospel by burdening ourselves with rules, commitments, planning, and goals. We feel overwhelmed and tired of the constant struggle without meaningful efforts. Recent surveys confirm that the number of people who have nervous breakdowns is still on the rise. What do we lack to feel truly well?

Today, in the light of the Gospel, we can revise our concept of God. How do I live and feel God in my heart? What feelings reveal his presence in my life? Jesus offers us his understanding when we feel tired and want to rest: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will provide you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). We may have been striving for perfection when deep down we only wanted to feel loved. In Jesus’ words, we discover the answer to our crisis of meaning. Our ego deceives us when it hinders us from reaching our desired level of excellence.

Sometimes we may not see the light. Saint Julian of Norwich, a 14th-century English mystic, had a vision, heard Jesus’ message, and wrote, “All will be well, all will be well.” Jesus’ suggestion—“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…” (Matthew 11:29)—presupposes following his kind lifestyle (wishing everyone well) and his humility of heart (a virtue that refers to keeping our feet on the ground, for only God’s grace can make us rise).

Being a disciple requires us to take on the yoke of Jesus, remembering that his yoke is “kind” and his burden “light.” However, I do not know if we are convinced that this is truly the case. Living as a Christian in our current context is not so easy, because we have to choose values ​​that go against the grain. Not being carried away by money, prestige, or power requires significant effort. If we want to achieve it on our own, it can become an impossible task. But with Jesus, all things are possible and reasonable.