Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.

Matthew 11: 28-30

When planning for a journey, it is normal to pack a bag.  The contents of the bag are determined by the kind of journey one is about to undertake.  Consider the journey of life; what provisions do you need?  Might there be things in our bags that should be left behind?  Jesus knows what it means to travel lightly.  He knows that this is not an easy world to be in and he tells us how to travel lightly by shedding off those things that are unnecessary for the journey.  He reminds us that he will give us what we truly need.

When we take life’s journey Jesus’ way, we will find rest in him.  The writer of the gospel of Matthew reminds us to pack our life bag with time for God.  The word says, “Come to me…. I will give you rest.”  The word also reminds us to, “Take my yoke upon you…you will find rest for your souls.”  So much of the angst in our lives comes from trying to fight spiritual battles in our own strength.  Many of us think it is up to us to win these battles.  Jesus responded to opposing forces with gentleness and humility, and even though many thought he was losing the battle, ultimately, he won.  When we undertake life’s journey God’s way, we too will win, just like Jesus.

Jesus promises that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light.  So, travel light, brethren, unpack those things that weigh you down.  Know that the Holy Spirit travels with you providing direction along the way.  “Viajar bien!”  “Bon voyage!”