The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 9A), July 6, 2008
BCP: Zech. 9:9-12; Psalm 145 or 145:8-14; Rom. 7:21-8:6; Matt. 11:25-30
RCL: Gen. 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 and Psalm 45: 11-18, or Song of Solomon 2:8-
13; or Zech. 9:9-12 and Psalm 145: 8-15; Rom. 7:15-25a; Matt. 11:16-19, 25-30
The traditional version of the Anglican eucharistic liturgy includes a section known as the “comfortable words.” Of the four scripture passages, the most beloved of the texts may be the verse that is included in today’s gospel: “Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy-laden, and I will refresh you.”
A modern translation has Christ offering “rest” to all who “are weary and are carrying heavy burdens.” And although the comfortable words are heard less often these days, few people today sail through life free of burdens. At the end of the day, we feel heavy laden. We carry lots of mental and spiritual baggage, and these inner burdens often make us more weary than the most strenuous exercise.
Where does all our baggage come from? Paul’s distinctly uncomfortable words in the epistle provide an answer: “I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.” Good intentions don’t automatically put us on the road to heaven. The devices and desires of our hearts often pull us in quite the opposite direction.
The Revised Common Lectionary includes another memorable statement from Paul about our human tendency to act consciously against our best interests: “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Rom. 7:15). Even when we know full well what we should do, we embrace the evil we know is wrong—the evil which really isn’t even attractive and which we “hate.”
This bleak picture of human fallibility might seem to contradict the comforting promises of Jesus. But in fact we need to hear these comforting words because the human predicament is what Paul says it is. We indulge ourselves, we act against what we accurately call our “better judgment,” and we are left on our own, with baggage we can’t get rid of.
And precisely because we burden ourselves with self-destructive habits, we find the yoke of Christ easy to assume. The baggage is lifted off our shoulders when we accept the invitation of our Savior to come to him and find rest in his grace. “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” (Matt. 11:28).
Look It Up
How do Christ’s promises of peace and rest agree with his hard sayings about the cost of following him?
Think About It
Are there burdens I am carrying that I think are worthy but that I would be better without?
Next Sunday
The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 10A), July 13, 2008
BCP: Isaiah 55:1-5, 10-13; Psalm 65 or 65:9-14; Rom. 8:9-17; Matt. 13:1-9 18-23
RCL: Gen. 25: 19-34 and Psalm 119:105-112; or Isaiah 55:10-13 and Psalm 65:
(1-8), 9-14; Rom. 8:1-11, Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23
