Good morning. The concept of a ‘yoke’ taken from today’s Gospel offers a fairly good understanding of how love is best understood in marriage. Jesus in today’s Gospel says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” This reading offers some understanding regarding marriage in two ways. First, a yoke is a device made for two to join together in carrying a load, and so it is in marriage two people come together and work together to deal with the tasks life brings their way. As a couple we join together to address the various things we encounter, and we likewise as a couple in the sacrament of marriage are called to join with our Lord in lightening our load. Life can be a burden but through love as understood in the sacrament of marriage and through our faith in God we can manage whatever comes our way. Saint Arsenius, whose life we commemorate today, offers much insight into living a virtuous life and learning to look to others and to God for guidance and support. There is a story found in Desert Wisdom: Sayings from the Desert Fathers 
that suggests that Saint Arsenius when questioned why he sought the direction of a peasant, indicated that: "Indeed, I have learned the knowledge of Latin and Greek, yet I have not learned even the alphabet of this peasant." So too we must all learn to lean upon one another, no matter what our stature is in life.
So it is in marriage, the yoke that joins us together in marriage, our covenantal promise, and the yoke of faith which joins us with our Lord combine to give us an understanding of love at its best. Working together in marriage, and learning to lean upon each other with God on our side makes dealing with life’s burdens seem like a walk in the park. We all need someone to lean on. Make a great day!
that suggests that Saint Arsenius when questioned why he sought the direction of a peasant, indicated that: "Indeed, I have learned the knowledge of Latin and Greek, yet I have not learned even the alphabet of this peasant." So too we must all learn to lean upon one another, no matter what our stature is in life.
So it is in marriage, the yoke that joins us together in marriage, our covenantal promise, and the yoke of faith which joins us with our Lord combine to give us an understanding of love at its best. Working together in marriage, and learning to lean upon each other with God on our side makes dealing with life’s burdens seem like a walk in the park. We all need someone to lean on. Make a great day!
Today we recall the good life, gifts, and work of Saint Arsenius.
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