Opening Prayer

Rest your eyes, and take a deep breath – in through your nose and out through your mouth. Repeat a gentle word to yourself, such as ‘Abba,’ ‘Peace,’ or ‘Love.’ Allow yourself to settle deeper into God’s love.

Scripture

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Reflection

Jesus’ invitation is to everyone who is weary and overburdened. There are no conditions. We don’t have to be perfect; maybe we have got things wrong or let people down. Jesus just wants to hear our struggles and share our feelings with him. It could be that some tragedy in life burdens us, or that we are struggling with the small and mundane aspects of our lives, especially as Christmas approaches. Jesus’ invitation is to have a relationship with us and to walk alongside us. He says, “I will give you rest”. 

When I was raising my family and felt that everything depended on me, it was truly a gift to hear those words and step through an open door of welcome. He was there supporting me through a prayerful relationship over the years, and I came to realise that he wanted to be a big part of my life. This changed everything. I was helped to enjoy the vocation of motherhood with greater ease, knowing that God was walking alongside me. I realise now that the word ‘rest’ may not mean that concerns will disappear, but that Jesus will enable us to endure and walk through any hardship we encounter in life.

Reflection Prayer

Lord, when I am weary and burdened, draw me close to you.
Let me find comfort and ease in your gentle presence, even when life is far from perfect.
Teach me to rest in your love and let go of what I cannot carry alone.
Walk beside me and renew my faith in you.

Concluding Prayer   

“I understood that God’s love shows itself just as well in the simplest soul which puts up no resistance to his grace as it does in the loftiest soul…The sun shines equally both on cedars and on every tiny flower. In the same way God looks after every soul as if it had no equal.”

– Saint Teresa Lisieux