Mysticism & Gospel of Thomas – No. 90 – Secret of Devotion
Verse - Secret of Devotion
Jesus said, “Join me, for my yoke is easy and my rule is gentle, and you will find rest in yourselves.”
Comment
What is meant by this word of the Lord is the gentle yoke of devotion to the divine will, which leads to becoming one, to the yoke of the outer man to the inner man, to Christ, the fiery spirit in the depths of the soul, in whose glow of love all earthly suffering dissolves and turns into light. Even for the awakened person, the question of the meaning of suffering is different from that for the unawakened person.
He does not look outwards, but inwards and asks how the suffering that has struck him can make him better, where it wants to lead him and what he needs to achieve. Behind the shadows of suffering he already perceives the loving will of God, which wants him to be more awake, more mature and more complete and helps him to come from lack to fullness, to progress from insight to oneness and thus to break the cycle of cause and effect, action and consequence.
My yoke is gentle; He who does not resist suffering, thereby making it more oppressive and painful, but rather accepts it as a guide and accepts its teaching, becomes its master.
Carry your cross with a willing heart - and it will carry you.
He who accepts suffering as his companion is free from danger and certain of guidance. He is on the way to perfecting the outer life and winning the inner one. He enters the kingdom of peace and joy, of calm and serenity, that inner kingdom from which the voice of the Eternal resounds:
Do not be afraid; I am with you!