A good teacher is not satisfied with telling the students what they must do. The good teacher gives examples and says do what you see me do.
This is just what Christ wishes to do now. "Let Me kneel with you here this morning, and we shall pray together. Watch Me praying and learn of Me." His prayer is humble _ see how reverently He kneels, listen to the awe in His voice when He addresses His Father, look at the eyes cast down, the shoulders bent low in adoration.
His prayer is full of confidence. He says, "Father I know You hear Me always." So He would have my prayer to be made without solicitude; let me not be too anxious about what I eat or drink or wear, since I have a Father Who is very conscious of my needs.
His prayer is persevering. He prayed when He rejoiced in the Spirit and He prayed when the darkness of Gethsemani oppressed His soul _ when deprived of every particle of consolation, He persevered in prayer. He prayed in the solitude of the desert and He prayed in the midst of the distractions of the city. He prayed in the glory of Thabor and He prayed in the shame and the gloom of Calvary.
"Learn of Me" _ it is His third condition for securing rest to our souls. Jesus, Your apostles discovered You one morning at Your prayer. They stood and witnessed Your humility, Your confidence, Your perseverance in prayer. Me too You invite to learn of You. I am slow of heart and dull of mind, but Your patience with me is infinite, and Your mastery of Your subject is perfect. Teach me to pray.
From His example too, I learn how to take up the yoke. He found the Cross in a round of incessant toil _ for my instruction. He showed a gentleness towards those who were ignorant and boorish _ to teach me. His plans were all upset because thoughtless people came at the wrong time, because they made impossible demands _ that I might learn of Him. Above all, He knelt in the garden and implored His Father to take away the chalice, but immediately added: "Not My Will, but Thine." Acceptance of the Father's Will led His tottering feet up the slopes of Calvary and nailed them to the Cross there. Enemies taunted Him and defied Him to come down. He could have come down, but He remained, for He would have me learn of Him.
Strong Christ, sustain my weakness, Courage of Christ, put my cowardice to flight. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. Master, teach me and I shall strive to learn.
Summary:
You shall find rest _ guaranteed by God.
If you "come" to Me by prayer;
If you "take up My yoke" by penance;
If you "learn of Me" how to pray and how to deny yourself.
Thought:
The divine Guest Who dwells in my soul has no special "hours." He is always available.