Even though I took last Sunday off knowing you had a video sermon provided by the Presiding Bishop I did watch the service. Kudos to the Band, the Videographers, and the Council for stepping up. As my daddy used to say, “There is no rest for the weary.”
I write today as New York City, the once epicenter of the Virus, is opening up. I write this today as people gather to pay respects to George Floyd and his body is laid to rest. I write this as our country and indeed our world is in a state of upheaval and unrest.
In the gospel of Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Even though we had a lot of time off from things we used to do, some of us are weary. Some of us are and have been carrying heavy burdens. Jesus invites us to come to him to let him teach us how to be humble and gentle at heart even though our actions may, at times, need to be hard to strive for justice, and to show mercy with humility. Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you what is good; and what does the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Being yoked is easier than carrying the load alone. It is easier because the burden is shared with Jesus and with our fellow followers. The burdens we carry are lighter because we have help carrying them.
A week ago, I attended a gathering of about 200 clergy. We were led in prayer and then we walked over to Discovery Green for a Rally prior to a March to City Hall in memory of the death of George Floyd. The organizers of the Clergy meeting, Houston Interfaith Ministries, were giving out T-shirts that said, “Let My People Go Now.org.” It reminded me of Moses and what he went through to win freedom from slavery for his people. Exodus 12:40 says they were enslaved for 430 years. Freedom doesn’t come easily.
When I got home from the Rally, I remembered a song I wrote over 20 years ago. I reworked the last bridge and recorded it on my iPad. The song is called “Hacer Justicia- Micah 6:8” Here’s the link for the song if you would like to listen. https://youtu.be/yGRhrp2aBhk I don’t think what we used to perceive as “normal” will ever be the same. As Yogi Berra once said, “The future ain’t what it used to be.” I do not want to go back to normal the former normal was not good for everyone. I want to go forward to making the future brighter and easier and lighter for all. I look forward to doing that with you as we all move….forward.
Joyful Life Lutheran Church 