A: 14th Sun of Ord Time (5 July 2020) - GOD'S WEIGHING SCALE (Mt 11:25-30)

“For my yoke (‘zugos’ in Greek) is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt 11:30). These are Jesus’ words in our gospel today, which in our present moment of pandemic suitably console us. We appreciate better his analogy when viewed against an agricultural context. Yokes are wood frames placed on the neck of beasts of burden to pull the plow in tilling the soil. Normally, they are customized to each of the oxen so that they do not cause additional pain on them. Otherwise, the cultivation of the fields is hampered by a slower irregular pace of the animal.

In a similar vein, our daily crosses are tailored fit to each of us. We are never given with a trial that we ourselves cannot bear, or that is beyond our individual capacity and skills. The mere fact that one faces a different problem than another means that each person receives unique challenges that are solved primarily by the very person him/herself. We do not know God’s underlying reasons behind this, but we are certain that he does not give us something that we cannot carry. Indeed, the phrase “for my yoke is easy” is a very encouraging message from Jesus for us to continue to persevere in life. But such is only true with “zugos” as yoke.

Meanwhile, “zugos” can be understood also with another lexical definition, i.e., as “an instrument for determining weight, scale” (cf. BDAG). Albeit rarely used, there are some biblical instances where weighing scales are referred to by “zugos”. For instance, the passage of Rev 6:5 says, “Come! I looked, and there was a black horse! Its rider held a pair of scales(“zugos”) in his hand.” Clearly, yoke is not meant here by “zugos” as it is neither used on a beast’s neck nor uttered in an agricultural setting. But most importantly, the narrative context of Revelation 6–8 delves on the unsealing of the seven seals which include: a crown (first seal in v. 2), a sword (second in v. 4), a pair of scales (third in v. 5), catastrophe (fourth in v. 8), white robe (fifth in v. 11), astronomical phenomena (sixth in vv. 13-14), and trumpets (seventh in 8:2). All these images are used in the so-called seals of judgment on the fateful day of reckoning. If merit is given to this other meaning of “zugos”, it is not improbable to read alternately Mt 11:30 as “For my weighing scale is easy, and my burden is light.”

While the illustration of “yoke” fittingly comforts us in times of troubles, the translation “weighing scale” emboldens us to fight resiliently situations that further oppress the weak and the vulnerable of society. These include the recurrent events when people are marginalized by the color of their skin; or the countless police and military brutality in neo-totalitarian regimes; or the growing number of unwarranted arrests of political oppositionists, protesters, and dissidents; or the infringement of press freedom and free expression with an overboard surveillance of civilians in the guise of deterring terrorism; or the unfair commercial edge enjoyed by rich entrepreneurs over small-time traders; or the prevalent bullying of imperialist nations over weaker ones to the point that their territories are haplessly surrendered. The list goes on. The sad thing behind all of these is humanity’s social weighing scale is markedly loaded where the tilt of balance always favors the rich, powerful, and privileged. On the contrary, God’s universal weighing scale is fair and just. It does not discriminate nor favor anyone, but it shows fairness and mercy at the same time. Thus, it is something easy and light.

We can, then, find solace in Jesus’ weighing scale of justice and compassion. But such will only function if we work with him in purifying mankind’s bondage to weighing scales that are loaded by sin, anger, and greed. May we all join St. Paul in crying, “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke/scale of slavery” (Gal 5:1).

- Rex Fortes, CM