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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 9 Yr A
Editor's note: During the season of Pentecost, churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary have two options. One, often called "semicontinuous" or "Track 1", provides more detail about the Old Testament stories. The other, called "complementary" or "Track 2", more closely marries the Old Testament lesson to the gospel reading.
Introduction
Introduction
Jesus appears frustrated in his dealings with his listeners, calling them children who whine and bicker and pout. Further, Jesus appears to berate their criticism of others. Then he gives God the Father thanksgiving because God's way had been withheld from those judged "wise" and "intelligent" but revealed to those who are "infants", in other words, the innocent and loving.
Then Jesus opens his arms to receive all who will embrace him and the Father, a yoke that is easy to bear. Is this the kind of yoke that Rebekah accepted when she agreed to become Isaac's wife? I think "yes" in that she knew what was expected of her as an adult woman in her time. Both Psalm 45 and The Wisdom of Solomon describe the bridal couple, in their accepted roles. Last but certainly not least is Paul's letter to the Romans, a passage close to my heart. The plea: "Why do I do the things I hate and ignore the things I love?" How like a child, yet not. Like a child because I satisfy my own desires; not like a child because I know what I love.
Let us "grow up" to accept the yoke of Jesus. Comments welcome.
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
From sermon4kids.com: “Do you ever have a day when the weight is more than you can handle? Of course you do. We all have days like that, don't we? It is good to know that when things are more than we can bear, God is there!”
Scripture: July 5, 2020—Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 (image), Psalm 45:11-18 (image), Wisdom of Solomon 2:8-13 (image), Zechariah 9:9-12 (image) (Track 2); Psalm 145:8-15 (image) (Track 2); Romans 7:15-25a (image); and Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 (image). Illuminating the scripture, an image and audio journey.
Collect: O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection:
Track 1: What misplaced burdens are you carrying? Where might God be offering you a more well-fitted yoke? Where are your expectations of God and the church unmet? Where do you sense God moving in hidden ways?
Track 2: How have you experienced God’s steadfast love (Ps. 145:8)?
Charge:
Sisters and brothers, sin distorts even the good gifts of God:
the law, the church, our own desires—
but this need not lead us to despair,
for God’s love has overcome, is overcoming, will overcome
sin’s power at work in the world.
Eye Candy:
"Welcoming Christ", interesting iconic sculpture of Launde Abbey, has become its Diocesan icon as well, pictured is replacement sculpture as original needed repair;
"Yoke of Jesus", free stock photo provided by Jooinn.com;
“Arise, my love” by Claudio Pastro;
“Christ the Bridegroom”, wooden plaque by Robert Lentz;
“Rebecca at the well” (early 21st Century) by David Young, website explains both old version and its replacement
Ear Worm:
"Come and find the quiet center", Belmont Contemporary Vocal Ensemble;
"Oh what their joy", choral presentation
“Busy, busy, busy“, presented by Kevin Kline, a funny approach to the stresses of daily life;
“O master, let me walk with thee“, gospel hymn sung by the Table Singers;
“He shall feed his flock/Come unto Him“, sung by Barbara Bonney.
Brain Food:
"I don't know what I'm doing", commentary by Daniel B. Clenendin;
"Affliction IV", poem by George Herbert;
commentary, from Saturday Night Theologian website
"Receiving the right yoke" by Leah D. Schade;
“Troubled? Change to Yoke Light“ by Peter Woods
The Lone, Wild Bird
The lone, wild bird, in lofty flight,
Is still with Thee, nor leaves Thy sight.
And I am Thine! I rest in Thee.
Great Spirit come, and rest in me.
The ends of earth are in Thy hand,
The sea’s dark deep and far-off land.
And I am Thine, I rest in Thee!
Great Spirit come, and rest in me.
© Henry Richard McFadyen
Parables:
"The Butterfly (Le Papillon)" (2002, PG), story of lonely child and curmudgeon. Review;
"Signs" (2002, PG-13), interpreting "lucky" events, Review;
“Bedazzled” (2000, PG-13), consequences of selling one’s soul to the devil, Review;
“Election” (1999, R), "driven go-getters who hurt other people", Review;
“Invisible Enemies” (1997, G), “People, sadly both Christians and non, are blinded to the reality of spiritual warfare”, Review
Hymn Notes: Some believe "progressives" have just arisen in our society. Not so. Read about Washington Gladden (1838-1918), author of "O master, let me walk with thee" (referenced above).
"Gladden was a native of Pennsylvania, and served churches in New York and Massachusetts before accepting a call to First Congregational Church, Columbus, Ohio, a parish he served for 32 years. Educated at Owego Academy and Williams College, he was the moderator of the National Council of Congregational Churches from 1904-1907. He served as one of the editors of the Pilgrim Hymnal (1904).
As editor of the Independent, he made important contributions to the cause of social justice. While a pastor in Massachusetts, Gladden began preaching about labor-management problems, encouraging cooperation between employers and employees.
This theme aroused opposition from those who felt the role of a minister was “to save souls, not to regulate business.” Furthermore, he challenged the idea that the Bible was inerrant in matters of science and history.
Hymnologist Albert Bailey notes that “he found his fellow-clergymen without courage to follow him, for heresy trials were beginning in the Congregational Church.” In this context, the meaning of the excised stanza cited above makes sense.
From the Ohio pulpit, Gladden found willing listeners to his message at the State University of Columbus. He received invitations to deliver lectures at a number of universities including the Yale Divinity School. His tracts, Social Facts and Forces (1897) and Organized Labor and Capital (1904), were very influential.
Perhaps this hymn is a paradox. Few singers realize that behind the relatively peaceful words of Gladden’s poem, sung to a placid Victorian melody, one can find the witness of a champion for social justice."
From Discipleship Ministries website
For families: Study guide and activities, (former guide), group activity, snacks
For children: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin, craft
For middlers: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin, craft
Coloring: Matthew 11, Yard work
For youth: Consider the 1997 film Liar Liar, starring Jim Carrey. The story is about a habitual liar who ends up having to tell the truth for one full day. Connect that concept with the epistle lesson from Romans and Paul’s admission that he does the very thing he does not want to do. Are there times when you do something that you know you should not but you do it anyway? Consider talking about this dilemma with the adults in your life. Share if you wish.
[based on “Life Saver or Life Savior” from The Stewardship of Life Institute https://www.stewardshipoflife.org/2017/07/life-saver-or-life-savior/]Comments welcome.
Today’s reading from Matthew is when Jesus learns of the murder of John the Baptist. He mourns that people rejected him and John: John, for his severe message of judgment and ascetic lifestyle, and Jesus for his message of God’s love for all people and his zest for living. Nevertheless, God’s blessing is available for all who accept Jesus’ call and for all those who minister God’s love to other people.
Track 1. The first reading continues the story of our ancestors in faith. Sarah has died and Abraham sends his servant to his far-away relatives to find a wife for Isaac. We hear of the servant selecting Rebekah, who becomes the next mother of God’s chosen people.
Track 2. The first reading from Zechariah describes God coming to the people with joy and rejoicing. The prophet envisions the time when God’s visitation will bring peace and hope to all people.
We continue in the second lesson to read from Paul’s letter to the Romans. Although, as we heard last week, we have died and been raised in baptism, we still find that sin is alive in us. Paul struggles here with the notion that we are dead to sin and yet sin is still active in our lives. He comes to no easy answer but instead rejoices in God through Jesus who is the only solution to this quandary.
In the liturgy, we are reconstituted as resurrection people. We find the principles of living in the world to be those of God’s Kingdom rather than those of the world. In worship and in our ministry to the helpless we become signs of contradiction to the world’s standards.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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