Lection: Genesis 24

July 5, 2026

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

“I Will Give You Rest”

The summer lectionary readings are often a strange mix of passages that leave the preacher wondering, “What is the connection between these texts?” This morning we have a long story about how Isaac got a wife; a kind of confession from the Apostle Paul about how he wants to be good, but struggles with sin; and finally, a lament from Jesus about the people who are rejecting his message and ministry for a number of reasons, combined with a renewed invitation to everyone to come to him.

I think that when I’ve preached on this 6th Sunday after Pentecost in the past, I’ve often focussed on Jesus’ invitation to rest. Coming across the Gospel text just as summer is beginning has felt like a good opportunity to encourage self-care. As I mentioned to the children, at First Church we take a break in the summer from some of the things that keep us busy throughout the year. I plan to take three weeks of holidays a couple of weeks from now. And I hope that many of you will choose to change up the pace of your life and work this … Read more »

July 6, 2008

Genesis 24:34-38
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

This is the season of the church year that is often called “ordinary time.” It’s the season after Pentecost, a long period without special celebrations until we finally get to Reign of Christ Sunday at the end of November and then the season of Advent in December. During this “ordinary time,” the lectionary readings can feel rather random. On a special Sunday, like Reign of Christ, or Easter, or even the third Sunday of Lent, the readings are chosen to connect with the particular theme of the day or the season. So when you read them together, they seem to fit together. But during ordinary time, there is no particular effort made for the readings to “fit together.”

For the past few Sundays, we have been reading through the book of Genesis, reading through Paul’s letter to the Romans, and reading through the Gospel according to Matthew. The psalm (or in today’s case, the passage from Song of Solomon) is chosen to connect with the Old Testament readings. So, if you noticed that the wedding song we heard today fit very nicely after reading about how Isaac … Read more »