The Yoke of Love

by Jose Mari Igama 

Today’s Gospel reminds me of our experiments on our Ergonomics laboratory classes. I still recall taking body measurements of people to study specific properties of the human body, as manifested in people’s interaction with the workplace or environment. As industrial engineers, we analyze limitations of the human body and integrate these factors in the evaluation and design of jobs and work environments. 

The yoke which Jesus speaks of is a frame designed to carry a burden at either end, as a pail. A familiar example is the yoke of a taho vendor. An “ergonomically designed” yoke is one that fits the person’s shoulders in a comfortable manner. The yoke in the Gospel can be associated with our human trials and sufferings. Created in the image of God, we are expected to bear our yoke with faith and love. Every trial is not burdensome, but a good fit to each one of us, designed in a way suited to our capabilities enabling us to grow.  

As Christians, we should take up our yoke with fervor, thus serving as good inspirations to others by listening to God’s plan for us and obeying His commandments. In this way, we are responding to His goodness to us. As we go on with our lives, we should always pray to God for strength and faith. God believes in us but stands ready to help us in our lowest moments. For it is where our highest joy and the world’s deepest hunger meet that God calls us to be. 

God designed my life’s purpose out of His great love and I trust in His perfect plan for me. I believe that the load designed for me is based on my human strength and capabilities. As I grow in the love of my Christian faith, I strive to carry my cross with a happy heart and with complete harmony of thoughts, words and actions. 

Making an act of faith in Jesus is not very easy. It is like a leap into total darkness. But if we seek God’s help, He will help us increase our zeal to live up to our human nature for the sake of the Kingdom. Let us always remember the yoke of love Christ carried for our salvation.