Yoke a instrument of Unity and not Division

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 15th Week - Thursday*

*Yoke a instrument of Unity and not Division*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 11:28-30*

*FIRST READING - Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19*

*1) Yoke has the power to Unite*

We have seen the yoke. It is a wooden instrument, which is used to bring two oxen together, either for tilling or for pulling the bullock cart 

It works as a instrument of bring together and helping the animals to do their work in a more efficient way 

It also works as a instrument of unity, which helps the bullocks to share their burden 

*2) Yoke a Instrument of Unity - A Spiritual View*

As we understand that the Yoke as instrument of Unity, it can be seen as spiritual instrument, which can help us to have a stronger unity in the following areas 

*A) God and Man:* Jesus Yoke can help us to have better unity with God 

*B) Man and Neighbour:* It can work as the instrument of having stronger unity between the fellow being 

*C) Man and the Nature* : Jesus yoke can also help us to have a better and perfect unity towards the Nature and also towards all the creatures of the Nature

*D) Man and His self* Jesus Yoke helps us to have a perfect unity between Body and Soul, Mind and Heart, Spiritual and Worldly things 

*3) Various Spiritual Yokes of Jesus*

The following things work as Yoke in strengthening the Unity 

The Yoke of Prayer 

The Yoke of Humility

The Yoke of Truth 

The Yoke of Suffering 

The Yoke of sacrifice

The Yoke of Love 

The Yoke of Forgiveness

The Yoke of Sharing

The Yoke of Generosity

The Yoke of Sincerity

The Yoke of Hardwork

These above yoke help us to strengthen the unity between various above mentioned areas 

*4) Take My Yoke and Learn from Me*

Jesus is very clear in telling us that we need to take His yoke and not the Yoke of anyone else 

It's not enough to take the Yoke but one should make a sincere effort to learn from Jesus, which helps a person in strengthening the Unity 

Jesus' Yoke is not heavy or Unable to accept. He says *For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”*

*5) Whose Yoke is on My Neck/Shoulder?*

It is very important to check about the Yoke, which I am already carrying in my Life

Is it Yoke of greed, power, jealousy, hatred, revenge, gossip, pride, anger, pleasure, laziness, division, selfishness, etc 

My fate will change according to the Yoke I have 

Jesus' Yoke will ease the burden and will strengthen the Unity 

The Wordly Yoke will make a person a slave and create more burden and sufferings

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*