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.” (Mt 11:28-30)
We often think that we have the corner of the market when it comes to suffering. No one has it as bad as we do, whether it be emotional, spiritual, or physical suffering.
Think again. When people are honest with themselves, they have to admit that they do not have it as bad after all. There are many people who are in worse shape than they. Many people who suffer greater. Many people who have deeper worries. Many people who are in more pain.
What we need to do is to channel our energy outward and help those who are in need — even when we have a need of our own.
Why is that?
Because it is then that we discover the most talked about mystery: the more that we reach out to others, the more we find ourselves being ministered to.
If we pray for others who are in pain, we find our own pain lessening. If we help others who hurt, we find our own hurts diminish.
Jesus wants us to learn from His life, from His words, from His ministry. We are being called to give of ourselves as completely as we can. If we pour ourselves out in service of another, we will find that we, too, receive great care.
FAITH ACTION: Make a mental list of those people whom you know to be in need. Pray for them today that their needs get met. If you are in any position at all to help them, render aid.