What does the passage in Mathew mean:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Can it be applied today or was it only to Jesus disciples?
Is there a way to like praying because for me praying feels dry and “like a chore” like just talking to the air.
I know some people state even Mother Theresa went through some “dry periods” but I don’t think this is like that-it’s consistent for me.
Yes, refreshment for the soul, as in Jerimias 6:16. See the Haydock Commentary below.
Matthew 11
28 Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you.
29 Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: *and you shall find rest to your souls.
30 *For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
- 29: Jeremias vi. 16. [Thus saith the Lord: Stand ye on the ways, and see and ask for the old paths which is the good way, and walk ye in it: and you shall find refreshment for your souls. And they said: we will not walk.]
- 30: John vi. 3. [Jesus therefore went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.]
Haydock Commentary
Ver. 28. All you that, &c. That is, you who are wearied with the heavy load of your sins, and the grievous yoke of the old law. (Menochius)
Ver. 29. Take up my yoke, &c. Fear not the yoke of Christ, for it is a yoke of the greatest sweetness. Be not disheartened when he mentions a burden, because it is a burden exceeding light. If then our Saviour says, that the way of virtue is exceeding narrow, and replete with difficulties and dangers, we must call to mind that it is so to the slothful only. Perform therefore with alacrity what is required, and then will all things be easy; the burden will be light, and the yoke sweet. (St. Chrysostom, hom. xxxix.)
Ver. 30. For my yoke is sweet, &c. For though, in regard of our weak nature, it be a very heavy yoke, yet the grace of God renders it easy and light, because our Lord himself helps us to bear it, according to that of the prophet Osee, (Chap. xi, ver. 4) I will be unto them as he that takes the yoke from off their heads. St. Bernard says, that our Saviour sweetens by the spiritual unction of his grace, all the crosses, penances, and mortifications of religious souls. St. Augustine owns, that before he knew the power of grace, he could never comprehend what chastity was, nor believe that any one was able to practice it; but the grace of God renders all things easy. (Rodriguez, On Mortification. Chap. xix.)
