Yokes and Barnabites

Yokes are made for two and that’s no yoke. Yes, pretty corny. Remember, corn is to be knee high by the 4th of July! With that, I hope you had a very nice, peaceful, and safe celebration of our nation’s birthday. This weekend, Jesus encourages us to put on His yoke and learn from Him. Jesus reminds us that he is meek and humble. My kind of teacher! The word meek in scripture means slow to anger. So, Jesus is very patient as we walk along learning from Him. To me, this Gospel, Matthew 11:25-30, comes at a nice time because last week and during the week we have heard the demands of discipleship, and those demands can be very challenging. So it is good to know that Jesus is very patient and gentle with us as we take up our cross and follow Him.

If the 5th of July wasn’t on a Sunday we would lovingly remember Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria. Anthony lived during the 16th century and is from Northern Italy. This Saint Anthony was at first a skilled physician, but after some time he felt the people also needed skilled spiritual doctor. So he became a priest. With two other priests, Saint Anthony founded a new religious order called the Barnabites, and they were dedicated to teaching the poor and helping victims of the plague at the time. The Barnabites helped to spiritually revive the city of Milan. This Saint Anthony also brought much needed reform and healing. There are four Barnabite Communities in North America. Three of them are fairly close to us: in Bethlehelm, Pa, Lewistown, NY and Oakville, Ontario. They also have a parish in San Diego. May God ‘s most choice blessings be upon them on their patronal feast day. And God bless you, and stay safe!

In Christ,

Fr. Steve Breck

Pastor, St. Mary Magdalene