Dear Friends in Christ,
This Sunday’s Gospel presents to us one of Jesus’ most  important summons we will ever hear. Our Lord beckons  to us, calling out “Come to me all you who labor and are  burdened and I will give you rest.”
Who among us does not “labor” or find life sometimes  burdensome?
Who among us does not need rest?    
In our fast-paced contemporary world, life goes on  24/7. Technology is a main driving force behind the  frenetic pace of life we have in our society. At any  second of the day, unimaginable amounts of information  and communication are exchanged on the Internet.  People may contact us, via e-mail, phone and social  media, at any time. Machines are always running and  operational, serving our needs when we need them.  
But, God did not create us as machines. As human  beings, we are finite with limited natural resources. God  even gave us a Commandment about our need for rest,  namely the Third which teaches us the importance of  observing the Sabbath.  
When we don’t rest we become run down, irritable and  exhausted. Our exhaustion gives sickness an  opportunity to assail us, as we do not have enough  strength to fight off it’s attack. Our hyperactivity does no  one, especially ourselves, any good.
The rest and solace that Christ offers us is the  confidence of God’s love upholding us. We are supported  and cared for deeply by God, surrounded by His mercy  and concern. It is through prayer that we can see this  truth and receive the grace we need to live in the world.  The more we allow our hearts to hear and respond to  Christ’s summons to rest with Him, the more we will be  renewed and rejuvenated in mind, heart and soul.  
When we allow ourselves to rest in Christ we will enjoy  the greatest blessings of our lives.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael