Thursday of the Third Week in Advent

Today's Readings

There’s an often repeated expression that goes something like, “God will never give us more than we can handle.” It’s meant to be comforting, and certainly the person offering those words has only good intentions at heart, but I’m not sure the phrase echoes true. I don’t believe the expression to be patently false, either. I just find it incomplete.

People go through all sorts of trials and tribulations that aren’t directed at them by a greater power. Our hardships, whether self-inflicted or a product of our environment, are merely the consequences of a life that is rarely fair. A myriad of factors – including rotten luck – conspire to saddle us each with burdens, but nobody’s keeping score, including God. There’s no maximum cap on hardship, and yes - good people with good intentions can reach a breaking point. So I don’t believe God limits the burden based on individual tolerance, though I do believe the Gospel points to a respite.

Jesus invites those who labor and are burdened (every hand should go up) to “come to me… and I will give you rest.” God doesn’t issues burdens as a test, but offers a way to find relief through the comfort of Jesus. Life is hard and hardships have been exacerbated through the pandemic. But anyone who turns to Jesus and seeks support through active faith “will find rest.” That’s the difference. “God will never give us more than we can handle” is a passive and insufficient approach. Instead, it’s the action of seeking out Jesus that can deliver comfort when it’s needed most. When we seek Jesus in our time of need, we will undoubtedly echo the psalmist who writes: "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me."

Kelly O'Donnell

AVP for Communications and Public Affairs & Lecturer in Communications, Siena College