Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 18, 2024
Jesus said:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
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
Prayer
Jesus, we hear the world around us saying your burden is heavy and your yoke is too difficult, but you have told us it’s not. Your burden is light and your yoke is freeing. Serving you is sweetness. Sustain us as we continue in your service. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Frederick was the beloved bishop of Utrecht who challenged his flock—including the empress Judith of Bavaria—to live a Christian way of life. Frederick was born around 780.
Frederick was prepared for his pastoral vocation at a young age. He was ordained a priest and sent to a mission diocese in the northern region of the Netherlands and Germany. In the more rural areas, incestuous relationships were common, and Frederick worked hard to change this tradition. This caused many of the villagers to resent Frederick.
Frederick was appointed the Bishop of Utrecht around 815. It was in this role that he called upon the empress Judith to cease her debaucherous lifestyle at court. Either the empress or disgruntled members of his congregation hired hitmen to do away with Frederick. The latter is most likely.
Frederick was assassinated on July 18 , 838, after celebrating Mass at the Cathedral in Utrecht. His dying words were those of psalmist: "I will praise the Lord in the land of the living." Frederick is the patron saint of the deaf.
St. Frederick, bishop and martyr who called his flock to conversion—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Frederick is in the public domain. Last accessed March 19, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
