Proper 9, Yr A (2023) The Rev. Karen C. Barfield
Proper 9, Yr A (2023) The Rev. Karen C. Barfield
Matthew 11:16-29, 25-30 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
In the name of the one, holy, and living God:
in whom we live, and move, and have our being. Amen.
“To what will I compare this generation?”
Jesus asked that question thousands of years ago….
We still ask that question as every new generation arises, do we not?
To what will I, or we, compare this generation?
And those of us who ask this question seem to have some complaint against “this” generation
because, most likely, “this” generation does things differently.
With every generation comes change…
change from the “old order”…
change from the way things have “always” been done,
even if “always” is only one generation old!
Change is difficult.
At least for most of us.
Some people thrive on change.
In today’s gospel story, Jesus seems to be pointing out the fickleness of the crowd.
He compares his current generation to children who are irritated because folks aren’t acting the way they want them to.
“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.”
In other words,
why are you not behaving according to the way we want?
Jesus continues to point out their discontent as he says,
“John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’;
the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,
‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’”
In other words, Jesus says,
John came as an ascetic, and he was judged.
And Jesus came, full of life and abundant grace, and he is judged.
You just can’t win for losing!
Nothing seems to please this generation.
I wonder:
Have you ever been in the situation in which you felt like whatever you did,
you just couldn’t please the other person?
This seems to be Jesus’ point.
The crowds came out to hear the preaching of John the Baptist,
and they came out to hear the preaching of Jesus.
They seem to be looking for a different way of life…
a way of living that actually authenticates their life,
and yet they keep finding fault with everyone who comes to show them the way!
Maybe they are afraid that new life means they will actually have to change their ways!
And, as I’ve said, change is often difficult.
Instead of throwing up his hands and walking away,
Jesus instead throws up a prayer and an invitation:
“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.”
It seems that Jesus recognizes that these folks are yearning for new life
but just don’t know how to get there.
He recognizes that folks are suffering and worn out…
and in need of rest.
I have never read the last portion of this text in this way before, but I wonder:
Is Jesus saying that if we take on his way of being in the world…
that is, living with gentleness and humility…
that we will find rest?
That instead of seeing things in the way that we’ve always seen them
--or doing a thing the way that we’ve always done it –
thereby tying ourselves up in frustration or anger with the way things “ought to be”…
Is Jesus saying that instead of engaging in struggle by being inflexible,
we will find new life if we engage opportunities with humility and gentleness?
If that is what Jesus is saying and offering,
that gives me hope!
Approaching others and new ideas with gentleness and humility
means that I can get off the frustration wagon
and maybe even learn better ways to do things!
Yesterday your vestry and I met for a mini-retreat.
As part of our time together we engaged in a mutual ministry review.
Several questions we talked about were:
What has gone well over the past year? What are our celebrations?
What has not gone so well? What do we wish had gone differently?
As I was thinking about our community here at St. Andrew’s,
it struck me that we are blessed to have 5 generations that gather together.
The folks who engage in our life together range in age from 2 to 95.
So, apparently, over the years there have been many opportunities to ask the question:
to what will I compare this generation?
I am guessing that each generation has had a typical way of seeing and doing things,
at least some of which may seem foreign to other generations.
It seems to me that we are gifted in having so much wisdom in our community
and so many ways of engaging life.
As we make decisions and discern where the Spirit of God is leading us,
if we gather and listen to one another with gentleness and humility,
we have much to learn from each another.
Change is inevitable.
Change can be frightening,
and change can be invigorating!
Part of change is embracing the unknown.
Change involves risk because it involves potential loss,
and change also involves gaining new life.
In the years to come life will be changing in the Town of Canton,
and we do not know what that looks like or who will come our way.
Are we ready to embrace anyone who walks in our door?
Are we willing to embrace each other?
When someone offers a new idea or new way of doing something,
can we, with gentleness and humility, say…
Hmmmmm…tell me more. Let’s talk about that.
And we are called to not just stay within our buildings here…
Are we willing to go out into our community,
and spread the Good News of God’s embrace and offer of new life?
The vestry and I named two pages of celebrations at St. Andrew’s over the past year.
We are a vital and thriving congregation.
We know the work of the Spirit is in our midst,
and we know that Jesus will provide rest for our souls.
Thank God for the generations who have come before us.
Thank God for the generations to come after us.
Thank God for the 5 generations amongst us right now!
Our callings are many,
and thanks be to God
we have the gifts to accomplish them…
as people who are gentle and humble in heart.
Amen.
