I am filled with joy reading today’s gospel, which warms me with comforting words. These words resonate strongly with me, as this year has seen two amazing family members pass.

My mother-in-law and my only uncle from my mother’s family both died this year after struggling with debilitating fights with cancer. Everyday activities became harder for them to do alone for quite some time, but they were convinced they still had more to do for the family and their loved ones. They just wanted to be around to give support and help our extended family with any advice. They were never a burden, but a light of love in our lives.

As their diseases progressed and robbed them of almost any ability to do simple things, they both showed strength and let us know they were at peace to leave us and move on to be with God and other family and friends who have passed. Their individual witnesses of hope revealed to all of us that their burdens of cancer were not carried alone.

Today’s gospel reveals to us that Jesus is always there for us to take on burdens suffered by us. Christ is there when we think we need him the most, but he is also there every day for us in the most mundane and ordinary things. For me, this has allowed great reflection on God’s presence in my life as I forget many times that Jesus is always present and always there for us. I hope and I pray that all of us can bring Jesus into our daily lives