By Nic Herrmann
It is harvesting season here in Kansas. For those with gardens full of tomato plants, zucchinis, peppers, sweet corn, and many other crops, the fruit of labor from months ago is beginning to blossom. This time in the calendar year reminds me of one of my favorite bible passages, Matthew 11: 28-30: “Come to me, all you who are wearied and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.” The yoke was (and in many parts of the world, still is) an essential tool for preparing soil for planting. It is a large frame, usually wooden, placed over the shoulders of oxen or horses, enabling the animals to pull heavy plows through fields. Biblically, it is often used as a symbol of oppression, which is why it always struck me as odd that Jesus encourages us to take His yoke upon our shoulders.
The school I worked at in Central America is in the middle of sugar cane fields. For five years, I watched gaunt and beleaguered animals till the rich volcanic soil in preparation for planting, and the meaning of Matthew’s Gospel began to make more sense to me: Jesus calls us to work. While His yoke is light, it is still upon our shoulders, and Jesus still asks that we lift it. No field will go untilled, because untilled fields bear no fruit, and we are in the business of bearing fruit. Secondly, and more importantly, a yoke is deliberately designed for two animals; it joins the animals together to maximize and balance the pulling force. I take this to mean that we lift the yoke of Jesus, but we do not do so alone. We are asked to till, but we do not till unaccompanied.
As we enjoy the harvest and the fruit of our labor, let us remember these life-giving fruits are the product of necessary, faith-filled work that we do not do alone.
Consider joining us at Marilac Center for one of the following events:
Season of Creation: Living Waters (Ezekiel 47)
September 10, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Marillac Assembly
Sister Susan Chase, SCL
Living waters flow . . . healing and renewing land, seas, and our responsibility toward creation. Waters flow, as a tiny stream that deepens, bringing life to dead areas and restoring ecosystems. We examine Ezekiel’s call to global restoration of life, ecological healing, the interdependence of humanity and the natural world, bringing hope for both humanity and creation.
Registration for Season of Creation: Living Waters (Ezekiel 47)
September 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Good Conversations: Holy Voices
September 15, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Marillac Assembly
Fr. Kevin Cullen, SJ
Continuing in Synodality, we listen to the voices that call us to the path of holiness as we live out the Gospel call. We are wonderfully surprised to hear the voice of our Churches, our neighbors, and our own voices calling us into a deeper way of life together. And we are invited to hear Josephine Bakhita, Nicholas Black Elk, Julia Greeley, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, and Thea Bowman, people on the road to canonization.
Registration for Good Conversations: Holy Voices
September 15, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Beloved Discipleship: Johannine Gospel
Monday, October 12 (4 p.m.) – Sunday, October 18 (4 p.m. – Mass)
This event is held in Ross Chapel
Sr. Mary McGlone, CSJ
The Beloved Discipleship Retreat will examine the Gospel of John as the way to enter the call we each have to become beloved disciples of Jesus in today’s world. The rhythm of prayer will include times for silence, personal prayer, and individual accompaniment if requested.
Registration for Beloved Discipleship: Johannine Gospel
October 12-18, 2026
