Come to me

“Come to me’

Come to me, all you that labor, and are burdened, and I will refresh you (Mt 11:28). A touching summons, and a mysterious one, for it implies the acceptance of suffering, not flight from it. The very one who says Come and I will refresh you adds a commentary on this coming in the words: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Mt 16:24). But he continues, thinking of the “pearl” he is offering in the jewel-case of the cross: Take up my yoke upon you…and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

Come! Jesus must take the initiative; for we know not where our true refuge lies. Suffering repels us, whereas by embracing it with the cross we should make it sweet, a weapon of victory. When he cries out: Come to me, does not Jesus seem to be calling for help? Help me! Help me! In fact, he finds his peace in succoring us, apart from which an infinite torment consumes him. Who is capable of thus inviting all men, unless it be the Son of Man? Who has the heart to do so, except the universal Heart, living, boundless Love? Jesus can afford to call those who are afflicted and over-burdened; his own condition will bear comparison with theirs. He took all their cares upon himself before enabling them to bear them.

You that labor, and are burdened. By what burden? He does not specify. To do so would be to confine and limit. Have no misgivings! Whatever be your suffering, it has been foreseen; it is included in his aid. If you are willing, it is cured in advance. And I will refresh you. Jesus does not say: I will show you where there is refreshment, in which place you can find the healing balm. He says: I will refresh you; for the refreshment is himself. 

Father Antonin Gilbert Sertillanges, o.p.