5 July 2026 #audioplayerisnotconnected
I drive a 2017 Camry that has the perfect dashboard – not too many options yet nothing I want to add. Simple in its complexity. One of the options I use frequently is the ability to connect my iPhone to the audio system. I use that feature to listen to music, the Hallow ap, random podcasts, or answer incoming emergency calls. It’s quite lovely. But occasionally, I’ll start down the road, look at the dashboard, and see these words:
“Audio player is not connected.”
And sigh… because it means that I’ve left my phone behind. But sighs are not always a negative thing in my world. Sometimes it reflects the happiness of contentment. You see, when I leave my phone behind, a new world immediately opens up: The world of boredom.
Given the readings today and the fact that we’re starting the mid-summer month dedicated to freedom, I am on a mission. I’m calling it the “Bring Back Boredom” mission and I am enthusiastic in my spreading-the-good-news here. Boredom is not laziness nor is it haphazard. It’s the freedom to create space and time for contemplation and prayer… to re-focus, reflect, and re-orient oneself to a life well-ordered and the abundant life Jesus promised.
In the life of the liturgical calendar remember, we are in ordinary time. And this idea of “creating space for contemplation” is what the world has always done on summer days, before the blessed disaster that is called the invention of the cell phone. During the summer months, we are free to embrace the slowness of contemplation, prayer, friendship, and nature at its finest. Simplicity and rest in the middle of an out-of-control complex life, yes?
In the Gospel today, Jesus says, “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.” This word “come” is deute in the original Greek, an imperative verb. A better translation might be “come now!” or “come hither!” or “Come away!” or even “Come follow!” Coming to Jesus when you are exhausted from the trials of life or the general grind of making-a-life is not one option among many, it’s the only option that will bring you peace and contentment… and the strength to increase your times-of-boredom.
I’m not a fan of our Mass translation of Jesus’ words, I am sorry to say. Ideally, the second line would be translated (11:29): “Take the yoke of Me upon you, and learn from Me, for gentle I am and humble in heart, and you will find rest for the souls of you.” A bit different, yes? A tad more insightful, a bit more intentional on our part, a little more revealing, a motion towards clarity.
Jesus is interested in your soul because the soul is foundational. It is the animator of your actions. An uneasy soul precipitates an uneasy life. A rest-filled soul gives rise to a humble and gentle life.
To give the soul rest is to turn off the songs of the day, silence the words of chaos, let the calls go to voicemail… and allow space for the soul to re-connect with its Creator. Perhaps, given Jesus’ imperative command today, you will make a space for your own boredom this week. Take on the yoke, embrace gentleness, find rest for your body and soul. And see how your life is changed for the Good.
#audioplayerisnotconnected