Five major discourses of Jesus give form and substance to Matthews’s Gospel. The Parabolic Discourse found in chapter 13, is the third of these major teaching blocks. 

In Matthew’s Gospel, we find an image that carries a lot of weight—if I may be permitted a play on the image.  Jesus speaks about a “yoke.” 

The celebration of our country’s 250th Anniversary has been recognized in many ways during these days and will continue to be recognized in the coming ones. An awareness of God’s blessings upon us cannot be exaggerated and must be acknowledged with gratitude and resolution.

When I am on retreat, I realize how much I need it.  I played with the word itself to give insight to my “desert” experience.