Fifth Sunday After Pentecost – Pastor Ellen Mills
I am offering you two ways to receive this. In print, you will need to read the scriptures for yourself, and then the prayer and reflection that follow in this post. If you click on the audio link below (below), you can hear all of it, including the scriptures
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray,
You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised. You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Grant that we may believe in you, call upon you, know you, and serve you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm 145:8-14
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
A yoke usually refers to a piece of wood made to fit the necks of a pair of horses or oxen so that they can draw a load or pull a plow together. In an Amish area of Ohio, I saw yokes used fairly often to help their huge, beautiful work horses plow or pull wagons together. I loved that image, and I loved those horses. Unlike the jittery retired race horses the Amish used to pull buggies, these draft horses were such a picture of strength and patience. I have no idea what training had taken place, but clearly by this time, the two horses cooperated. A yoke can also refer to a piece of wood that is put across a person’s shoulders in order to carry two heavy things of equal weight, such as buckets of water. It does not take the weight of the load away, but it distributes it so that it is more easily borne.
But that is not the only way the crowds would have understood Jesus’ words. A yoke could also refer to something put across the shoulders of a subjugated enemy to show their submission. Or it could be used figuratively to refer to the onerous demands of the empire on poor or ordinary citizens. Jesus said so much about their way of life when he used that word. He called out to the weary and those with heavy burdens. He promised rest for their souls, and I’m sure the words were welcomed. But it is the next part I find interesting. Jesus did not promise them that their yokes or their experiences of being yoked would go away. He promised them a new yoke that they would find easy and light. What new yoke? To be yoked to Jesus, and to learn from him. He is promising something that will change their lives, but may not change the immediate situation. Rather than be yoked to the demands and values of the Roman Empire, they would be partnered with Jesus for the kingdom of heaven.
And some of the other readings may help us see what Jesus means. If we look at Zechariah and the Psalm, we see the people God is concerned with. God will bring together the scattered, upholds those falling, and raises up those who are bowed down. The kingdom of heaven looks ahead towards a time when justice will prevail and all will flourish. It will be God’s reign, not Caesar’s. And the way to it is to be taught, or discipled, by Jesus.
To whom are Jesus’ words addressed? Or rather, perhaps I should ask, who might be able to hear these words? Jesus is speaking to the crowd, which is itself somewhat self-selected. Jesus is speaking to those who have been willing to come and listen. He has already remarked that both he and John the Baptist were rejected, even though they had delivered the message in different ways. Jesus remarks that God’s purpose is hidden from the wise and intelligent, and revealed to infants. The leaders, those who were sure they knew what to do and not do, were not open to a new message. But the ones who were left out, those who were not thriving under the empire or the rules of the temple, were teachable. They wanted to learn. We might call them “seekers” today. If we are so sure we already know everything, we are unlikely to listen or be open. As the prophet Jeremiah said, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me….”
Why does this matter? Because God is seeking us. In Psalms, the psalmist uses an ancient description of God from Exodus: “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” This is the God who led them out of Egypt and through the wilderness. This is the God who did not abandon them in exile. This is the God who was still in relationship with them as they suffered under the yoke of empire. This is the God of justice, mercy, goodness and kindness. We are in a very uncertain time today. There is much suffering, not only medical and economic, but psychological and spiritual as we look to an uncertain future. And it is a time to remember the focus of God on those who are afflicted and burdened. Are we willing to be yoked to Jesus to learn and be formed in God’s love and mercy, so that we can reach out to others? Where might we offer the hope of the God of faithfulness and mercy today? Who needs to be reassured that they are not alone or abandoned? And how can we keep connected with people we cannot touch or hug? Have we found and experienced the rest Jesus promises, and are we able to offer it to others? Amen.
Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray for our shared world.
We pray for the church. Sustain us as we share your word. Embrace us as we struggle to find our common ground. Lift up leaders with powerful and prophetic voices. Free us from stagnant faith. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for the well-being of creation. Protect the air, water and land from abuse and pollution. Free us from apathy in our care of creation and direct us toward sustainable living. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for the nations. Guide leaders in developing just policies and guide difficult conversations. Free us from patriotism that hinders relationship-building. Lead us to expansive love for our neighbor. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for all in need. For all who are tired, feeling despair, sick or oppressed. Take their yoke upon you and ease their burdens. Give your consolation and free us from all that keeps us bound. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for this congregation, and our call process. Bless pastors, deacons, and congregational leaders. Energize children’s ministry volunteers, church administrators, and those who maintain our building. Shine in this place that we might notice the ways your love transforms our lives. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We give thanks for those who have died in faith. Welcome them into your eternal rest and comfort us in our grief until we are joined with them in new life. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Receive these prayers, O God, and those too deep for words; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine upon you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor, and give you peace.
Amen.