Readings
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Isaac’s servant goes back to Abraham’s homeland to find a wife for him. He meets Rebekah, who responds according the sign he had asked of God, and so he brings her back to Isaac who marries her.
Psalm 45:10-17
A psalm celebrating a royal wedding and the beauty of the bride as she is led to the king.
Romans 7:15-25a
Paul laments his struggle to do the good that he wants to do, while the sin nature within him leads him to do what he doesn’t want to do, but he celebrates Christ who provides freedom from this struggle.
Mt 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus laments the resistance and misunderstanding of those who judged both John and him, and gives thanks that God reveals wisdom only to the childlike. Then he invites those who are burdened to come to him and receive rest.
(Bible readings summary by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
Church of Scotland Weekly Worship resources 2023
Re-worship resources
Wisdom incarnate (inspired by the Gospel reading)
they shout at Wisdom,
why do you not dance
to our lively tunes?
they cry to Wisdom,
we are wailing, why
do you not mourn with us?
they accuse the messenger
announcing Wisdom, of demons,
heed not the call to turn
they accuse Wisdom
of gluttony and drunkenness,
of befriending the unworthy
Listen, you who shout at Wisdom,
cry and wail and accuse –
Wisdom’s deeds are Wisdom’s vindication.
Wisdom thanks the God of all,
Creator, sender of Wisdom to earth
and Spirit sustainer or Wisdom on earth
Wisdom whispers in the dark,
heard by those who stay awake,
hidden from those who cast long shadows
Wisdom utters an invitation
to the weary, the burdened, the tired:
I will give you rest.
Wisdom says, you shall learn from me
a way of ease and freedom, for
I am gentle and I am humble in my heart
Wisdom offers rest within that heart, Divine;
come to me, come all you weary,
for I have come for you.
(Source: Sarah Agnew, Pray the Story)
A first person account of the Genesis story, by Margie Dahl. P+3A Genesis reading
Come to me, all you that are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.
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 (Matthew 11.28-30)
For those who labor, God, grant rest.
For those without work, grace.
For those too privileged to work, humility.
For those who do forced labor, liberation.
God of mercy, give us the gift of gratitude
for those who contribute for our sake,
who by their hands have built our world.
God of justice, keep us mindful
of those who sew our clothes, pick our fruit,
bear away our trash, clean our rooms for us.
Keep our faith honest, that we may labor
for justice for those who labor for us.
Give us what work we best may do
with our hands or our hearts,
for the sake of your Empire of Grace,
and grant us the Spirit to do it.
We pray to you, Holy One, who labors each moment, to give us life.
(Source: Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding Light)
Reflection related to Mt 11:30: The Myth of Urgency
Everyone wants you to quietly be Atlas,
to shoulder it all. Even the voice in your
head insists you are behind. But I’ve seen
the light in you, the one the gods finger
while we sleep. I’ve seen the blossom open
in your heart, no matter what remains to
be done. There are never enough hours
to satisfy the minions of wants. So close
your eyes and lean into the Oneness that
asks nothing of you. When the calls stack,
answer to no one, though you receive them
all. Just open your beautiful hands, born with
nothing in them. You have never been more
complete than in this incomplete moment.
(Source: Mark Nepo)
Reflection related to Mt 11.30: The cult of ‘crazy busy’ is killing us
Online article here.
