Each attachment is a choice, a decision not to attach to something else. This begs the question: Will we hitch our horses to the things that matter less (work or money or booze or religion or whatever) or will we fix ourselves to the Divine Love?

It’s Advent, and last night, I made my way to a celebration service in Pittsburgh. (Yes, this is what I do for fun while on business.) There, the priest delivered the gospel reading for the day:

Jesus said to the crowds: “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.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

Gospel read, he gave a short charge. The yoke, he said, was a farm implement, one meant to attach two oxen so they could pull together in the same direction. Where one went the other would go. Where the older, stronger, wiser animal went, the younger would follow. And as the younger animal followed, wouldn’t he learn the way, the path? Yes. Why? Because the animals were joined together by a wooden yoke. There was no choice but to follow the leader.

The notion of attachment, it’s baked into the very teachings of Christ himself. In fact, it’s present in today’s gospel. Can you find it?

Attachment Exercise: Read today’s gospel. (Luke 1:26-38). In a journal or on a scrap piece of paper, describe the attachment themes you see in the scripture passage.