Let me say this clearly . . . Life is hard. It just is. No matter your age, background, where you work, where you live. Life is hard.
[Joke] It’s like the story of a drunk man who smelled like beer and sat down on a subway seat next to a priest. The man's tie was stained; his face was plastered with red lipstick, and a half empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket. He opened his newspaper and began reading.
After a few minutes the man turned to the priest and asked, "Say, Father, what causes arthritis?" The priest looks him over and says, "My son, it's caused by loose living, too much alcohol, and a contempt for your fellow humans." "Well, I'll be," the drunk muttered, returning to his paper.
The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologized, "I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?” “I don't have it, Father. I was just reading here that the Pope does.”
The Pope doesn’t have arthritis, as far as I know, it’s just a joke. But the fact is . . . life is hard. And yet Jesus has the audacity to say the things he did in the gospel. Jesus, along with God (the Father, the Creator) and the Holy Spirit are for us, with us, in us counter the difficulties of life.
[Sing: Refrain, verse 1, refrain of SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD]
Spirit of the living God you fill our hearts with saving love.
Breathe your mercy into us, Spirit of the living God.
- We once were lost amid the darkness but now we have seen the day.
We cannot hide this saving vision. We will show the world your way.
Spirit of the living God you fill our hearts with saving love.
Breathe your mercy into us, Spirit of the living God.
Is there anyone who has not had times of darkness? Is there anyone who does not feel burdened? Jesus says, “Come to me, I will give you rest.” It’s what God does, it’s what Jesus does . . . to take our burdens and lighten our load. How?
It starts by simply being honest with Jesus with what is going on in your life. I mean, really honest. Not holding back anything. Say it, pray it, yell it . . . let Jesus in about what’s going on. Talk to Jesus, or God or the Holy Spirit . . . about how hard your life is. And then . . .
[Sing verse 2]
- We once were hungry and you filled us, bread of life and cup of grace.
What we receive must not be hidden. Send us with the bread that saves.
When the gifts of bread and wine are brought forth (at the Preparation of Gifts time) you also bring your burdens and your labors, and symbolically set them on the altar along with the bread and wine. In the mystery of the Eucharist, the bread and wine become transformed. And so can you. And so can your burdens and that “difficult thing” that’s been going on in your life for a while.
Jesus says, “Learn from me. The yoke I have is easy” Now a yoke is the heavy wooden bar that is placed on the shoulders of an ox or donkey to pull along a plow. Meaning that there will be tasks that we have to do. That is, things that we “plow along” and just by living, we can’t get out of doing nothing, or never having to face challenges. BUT oftentimes a yoke is shared by two animals. And it’s if Jesus is saying, “Yah, life can be difficult, but I am right there with you. You are not alone. And if you just connect with me (be totally honest with me) AND keep receiving this transformed bread, this divine energy source, this Holy Communion . . . your burdens will become lighter. I promise.
[Sing: refrain, verse 3, refrain]
Spirit of the living God you fill our hearts with saving love.
Breathe your mercy into us, Spirit of the living God.
- We have been gifted by your goodness. We are salt and we are light.
Now in your name we build your kingdom. Send us with the truth and life,
Spirit of the living God you fill our hearts with saving love.
Breathe your mercy into us, Spirit of the living God.