The readings are a message for all of us who feel that life is working against us. That must certainly have been the feeling of the Israelites as they languished far from home in a hostile and cruel land. And yet, their deliverance is very close. The coming of Jesus for which we are now preparing makes the same promise and offers the same invitation in today's Gospel: "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Jesus reaffirms what Isaiah says, that we have a caring and tireless God who takes care of his own. "I am gentle and lowly of heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Jesus does not promise painlessness, does not promise to take away every yoke but He will share the burden with us. Jesus never promises to take away all pain. What Jesus does is to help us go through the pain. He knows what we go through. Jesus experienced a level of pain in His own life which we are not likely ever to have to face.