Sixth Sunday of Pentecost, 9 July 2023: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45: 11-18 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
“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.”
Jesus’ words are among the most familiar from the Gospels. In the 1928 Episcopal Prayer Book, they were among the “Comfortable words” read before Communion. Yet most of us do not have a direct line to Jesus, so may not always feel that we are given rest. Life is stressful in various ways, from events in the world, to events in our lives. Work and family issues can be hard. When are we given rest?
But then I remembered a conversation with a wise older friend many years ago. She told me that when things were difficult, she always had a short list of people through whom she hoped, as she put it, “Jesus would come to me”. Generally, she added, it was not the person she wanted, but a person she actively did not want. But sure enough, someone would come. And the fact that it was whoever it was reminded her that the community of the Church was not just a group of friends. It opened your heart to others.
And so it is. Things are hard, but someone does something to help, to lighten the load. They bring a meal, they run an errand, do the shopping, or just sit with us. Things may not be easy, but someone does something that gives us rest. This is what community means. For this I always say a prayer of gratitude.
Jesus does not promise that life will be easy, but we will not be alone. And that makes a difference. When we are weary, there will be rest.
Amen.