14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mt. 11:25-30) “Yoke Yourself to Me”
Jesus often uses children as symbols for what his disciples should be like. What did he see in children that impressed him? Perhaps he saw how open children are to the world around them. When a baby sees someone new, they often open their arms, wanting to be lifted and held. Children are open to encounter.
If we look at children from a neurological perspective, their brains are truly impressive. In the first five years of life, a child’s brain will grow to ninety percent of capacity.
When we look at more of the science, a child’s brain is even more interesting. From birth to age three young children can generate 700 to 1,000 new neurological connections every second in response to sensory experiences.
From age 3 to 5 a child forms over one million new neural connections per second. For that reason, the first five years of life can impact the rest of life. If we want to understand our emotions and thoughts, one of the best ways is to ask ourselves questions as to what was going on in the first five years of our life. Were those traumatic years? Were they tranquil times?
What research has also found is that when we get older our brains become less elastic. Our brains work harder at organizing and filing data away the longer we live. We become more intent on categorizing things. Because of this, the amount of information we absorb slows down.
A story is told of a woman who came to see a priest who she had not seen in many years. The priest was shocked by the woman’s demeaner. He had always experienced her as being relaxed and fun loving, but the woman was in great distress.
The woman tried to describe her problems, but she had trouble defining what was going on. The priest noticed the woman had deep circles under her eyes, so he asked her if she had been sleeping. The priest suggested that she go see a doctor which she did. After the doctor examined the woman in question he prescribed a sedative. After the examination, the priest asked the woman if he could talk to the doctor about her case because it might help with spiritual counseling. She agreed.
The doctor said to the priest in private, “Of course, you know what is happening from a theological perspective.” The priest was taken a back. “What do you mean?” The doctor said, “You know that God never sleeps. Unfortunately, this woman is trying to control everything in her life. She can’t allow herself to sleep because she would give up control.”
What a burden it is, not to be able to trust God. The woman in the story could never just enjoy an experience but had to always protect herself. She could never be like a child who can rest in the loving arms of a trusted adult.
Jesus modeled for us what he was alluding to in the Gospel. Jesus said numerous times that he was one with the Father. He always was aware of the Father who was with him. The relationship that Jesus had with his heavenly Father was so tight that nothing could come between the Father and the Son.
What does Jesus offer us? He offers us a relationship with him that isn’t based on obligation but is rooted in love and trust. If we can believe totally in the affection Jesus has for us, we can relax. We probably know people who have such a connection with the Lord. How do they live?
Last summer, Pope Leo told the world’s youth, in a talk broadcast to the world, that if they wanted to befriend the risen Lord they should, “Listen to his word…….seek justice, review the way they spend time and put energy in building a more humane world. A person should especially do this by serving the poor. Pope Leo reminded young people to always remain united with Jesus in the Eucharist. These things make Christian life a joy he said. The Christian message becomes like child’s play” the Pope said, “rather than difficult work.” The advice is sound for any of us because we all want to yoke ourselves to Jesus. If we do, we will find true satisfaction in life.