my burden is light: suffering and consolation in the christian life

＂Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.＂
Matthew 11:28-30

Christ’s words ring true for this earthly life that we must endure in order to, hopefully, attain eternal rest with Him in heaven. Our fallen world is full of sufferings and struggles; from the everyday aggravations to the life-altering sorrows that we sometimes face. Yet, Christ assures us that His ＂yoke is sweet and [His] burden light.＂ This is so because He always helps us carry our crosses throughout this life and because the ultimate battle is already won, thanks to Christ’s love for us. Yet we must remain vigilant.

Saint John of Avila, the 34th Doctor of the Church, gave numerous sermons on this subject, in which he offers the consolation of Christ’s own example and that of saints, like St. Francis of Assisi. St. John never failed to instruct, edify, and challenge those who listened attentively to his sermons. Within these sermons, we too can find renewed strength as we embrace the redemptive suffering of this life and hope for the beatific vision in the next.

Published for the first time in English, this carefully translated work of St. John’s selected sermons will be a great spiritual aid to any soul along his path to holiness.

St. John of Ávila (1499--1569) was known by all as a devout and humble priest. Reportedly, he spent two hours in prayer before Mass to anticipate receiving the Holy Eucharist and another hour after Mass in thanksgiving. This humble spiritual father counseled and consoled hundreds of souls through his sermons, letters, and spiritual direction. His spiritual guidance was much sought after. Yet, he was never quick to give an answer. Instead, he would often commend other people’s questions and intentions to God first. Only after he received a response in prayer would he report back to the souls in need.

St. John of Ávila was a mentor and spiritual guide to his fellow Doctors of the Church, Saints Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross. His own life was not without troubles as he was imprisoned during the Spanish Inquisition and later battled multiple sicknesses. In 1532, he was falsely accused of preaching that the rich could not get into heaven and was subsequently thrown in jail. However, he always maintained a great love for Our Lord in the Eucharist, and even his year-long imprisonment was spiritually fruitful as he studied the works of St. Paul and began one of his most well-known writings, Audi, filia (Listen Daughter). On October 7, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI declared St. John of Ávila a Doctor of the Church.