Sunday, July 9, 2023

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:
– First Reading: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
– Psalm 45:10-17  Alternate: Song of Solomon 2:8-13
– Second Reading: Romans 7:15-25a
– Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

The liturgical color for the day is: Green

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  A yoke “easy”—how can that possibly be?  It has less to do with easy and more to do with “fitting.”  The way to read this is that the yoke of Christ is well fitting—it makes the burden of life easier. 

The yoke is a yoke to Christ. We do not have to go it alone.  Stop going it alone!  Be fitted to Christ.

It is his strength, his leadership, and his balance that gives us the ability to rise up, step forward, and keep going.

You’ve heard us say it as a way to describe the relationship of congregations and leaders, “We’re in this together.”  And, we are.  Yet, the Living Christ is more than just “in this” with us.  The Living Christ is the right fit for us.  With Christ the yoke is easy, and the burden is light.

Be fitted with Christ and hear it at the Table of Grace, hear it in the silent reflection, hear it when you are tired and worn out, and hear it again—that great invitation for us: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

—

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk