HIS THIRD YOKE*

It was his third yoke.

It wasn’t that the first one or the second one weren’t good, but his third yoke was best. Good – better – best – an oftentimes hope.

He had seen Joseph make them all through his youth. Then he began helping Joseph make several of them – sawing and cutting, carving and drilling holes for the leather and the ropes in the right places.

He was 15 when he made his first yoke.

He patterned it after the ones Joseph made. But first he went to the farmer who ordered it – looked at his two oxen – measured them – checked the yoke that was being replaced. Yokes last a long time – but they have their day – from the pull and push of oxen and rope – and from strain and stress - from removing rocks and stumps. Then he went home with his drawing and measurements.

Sure enough the farmer was pleased – but Jesus wasn’t. He went out at times to see the farmer at work – and he came up with a few ways he thought could improve his work.

Carpenters made more than yokes. There were homes to help build – as well as doors, tables and chairs. Yet Jesus was intrigued with yokes. There was pain and scrape. Sometimes blood came into the story.

A second request was made. A farmer talked to another farmer who said, “Joseph’s son is good – a good carpenter. He makes a good yoke.” Joseph was in the front of his shop when this new farmer showed up – wanting Jesus – not Joseph to be the one – to make a new yoke. A tinge of jealousy – and age – was Joseph’s first reaction – but then a smile of pride arrived on his face. After all, he had taught Jesus all he knew.

He called Jesus, who was in the back, to meet the farmer – and take the request. Jesus got directions to the farm. He said he wanted to meet his oxen. The farmer liked that. “Here is a young man who takes his work seriously. Too many young people can be too carefree.”

Jesus went out and studied the farmer’s oxen. They were a bit different than the oxen from the first yoke he made. One was stronger in shoulder than the other; one was stronger in legs than the one with the stronger shoulders. One was young and one was old.

Back Jesus went to the shop. It took him two days to make this second yoke. Mary and Joseph clapped when they saw the final step. Then early the third morning Jesus put the yoke on the back of the family donkey and brought it to the farmer. The farmer paid Jesus his coins and the two of them put it on the oxen. Perfect fit. Even the oxen didn’t grunt or groan when the final clamping was done. “Nice work, Jesus. Nice fit. Thanks.” Even the oxen seemed to smile.

Jesus walked home with the donkey – singing and celebrating – enjoying the morning breeze. Both spotted the birds of the air, the grapes on the vines and the wheat in the field.

About a week later, when out for a walk – Jesus spotted a poor couple – a recently married husband and wife – plowing a field – not with oxen – but with their own power and pull – strapped into their own homemade wooden yoke – and he could see blood on the husband’s shoulder.

He stopped walking, went over to them and introduced himself. He asked to see their yoke. He studied it – and studied both their upper bodies. He was good at measuring a person.

He too knew poverty. The couple were living in a stable or was it a lean-to? She looked like she was with child. The couple said they were hoping to make a start on this small piece of land that came with an old stable.

Without telling them, Jesus worked on a new yoke for husband and wife. It called for adjusting and readjusting – wood and leather – ropes and holes. He used Joseph and Mary as models - making sure this would make work easier for this couple. Joseph was amazed at Jesus' ability to come up with new ways to do things. In two weeks he had it finished.

The next day the couple spotted Jesus walking up the road with a yoke on his shoulders – and a smile on his face. Both were wondering, “What was this?” Then Jesus said, “I made this new yoke for you. It’s free – and I’m hoping it will make your work easy and your burdens light.”

*This is a story homily for Wednesday, 2nd week of Advent, 2009. The gospel reading is the "Come to me, all you who are burdened, and I will give you rest" text. [Matthew 11:28-30] P.S. I looked up several reference books on how a yoke was made in Jesus' time - but after that - I'm at a loss for more exact details - having grown up in the city! Smile.