Items for the week of Sunday, July 5th

This past Sunday, July 5^th, was the 6^th Sunday after Pentecost

We heard the following scripture readings, introduction, and prayer of the day during the Sunday morning worship service:

Introduction

The mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with those often excluded from the religious community. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. We gather to be refreshed by Christ’s invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary.” Gathered around word, water, and meal, we find rest for our souls.

Prayer of Day

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.

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9-12 The king will come in humility and peace
Psalm 145:8-14 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. (Ps. 145:8)
Romans 7:15-25a The struggle within the self
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 The yoke of discipleship

Devotion for the Week

From Welcome to Belonging

Jesus offers a comforting invitation, “Come to me,” amid a reflection on the mystery of God’s wisdom and the failure by some to recognize it. Instead of making the search for wisdom into a game of hide-and-seek, Jesus sheds any presumption that God’s wisdom belongs only to the elite or adventurous. He declares that the gift of wisdom is accessible and available not just for the smart or those who have earned it in some way; it is for the willing, the burdened, and the heavy-laden. Do not worry about going to find secret knowledge. No need to try harder to figure it out. Just receive his invitation to come.

But in our culture, with so much energy and attention devoted to what we can earn, how do we hear this simple invitation from Jesus? When we find that the wise and intelligent are no closer to obtaining this gift from God, does that give us pause? Is all the effort to find the hidden things Jesus is speaking about part of the burden he asks us to lay down? How can we experience the rest Jesus gives?

The expression “come to Jesus” has varied usage in the broader culture, but our gatherings for the Lord’s supper reveal something about Jesus’ invitation and God’s gifts. When we receive the sacrament, we acknowledge a gift given—one that we need. When we come forward, we may not fully understand exactly how receiving those elements is “coming to Jesus,” but the space is made. We can accept Jesus’ invitation without knowing its full implications. And while the invitation is personal, it also helps us recognize that the community is united in a common response.