A Person Complained:
“I came to Jesus and prayed. I did not receive what I requested”.
What this person requested and did not receive belongs to a physical material need. There could be 3 reasons for not receiving. Many of us are aware of two reasons.
They are:
1) What this person requested is harmful in God’s wisdom.
2) The time has not yet come to receive it.

The 3rd reason is, God offered and this person could not access it. Let us discuss here, the 3rd reason.
Two teachings of Jesus has relevance here
1. Mathew 11:28 to 30
“Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest”
The Act of coming to Jesus is complied with when:
a) I come to meet Jesus in the Church during the Holy Mass.
b) I come to Jesus who waits for me in the Blessed Sacrament
c) I appeal to Jesus to come to me where I am and He comes.
The most preferred choice offered to us is the first, followed by the second.
One reason for me to feel relaxed is my conviction that God – Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Father loves me and cares for me in whatever situation I am now. One proof is the parable of ‘younger son and his brother’ narrated by Jesus.
“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”.
I believe, here, the 2nd meaning of the word ‘yoke’ given in the dictionary has more relevance i.e, the bond of union, especially the marriage tie. The connotation of the term ‘yoke’ in this case is the union of marriage – a union that calls for twin qualities of gentleness and humility. Because those who possess these qualities will examine contentious issues more objectively than subjectively.
Marital discord that results in the rising incidence of divorce can be prevented if viewed from the perspective of this article.
If we apply the first meaning of the word ‘yoke’ given in the dictionary, the added explanation here is two oxen joined with a single yoke share the burden and move forward. Togetherness in movement is crucial to feel the burden light. In ones journey of life, togetherness with Jesus is possible if ones nature is same as Jesus i.e gentle and humble.
The second Teaching that has relevance here is found in Lk 12:31 and Mt. 6:33
“But strive for the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well / will be added unto you”
This Teaching has two parts. In the first part, we are asked to strive to establish God’s Kingdom and God’s righteousness. God’s kingdom is being established. It has yet to reach its fullness. In the 2nd part we are assured that our needs – physical and material, about which many of us often worry, will be provided. We will be guided, lead to gain them. Let us recall here the psalm. “He leads me to green pastures…..”
Our focus and importance ought to be more on matters concerned with the 1st part, than the 2nd. When we observe this, we gain matters in the 2nd part.

Marceline Rebello