The Gospel of Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For 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!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “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.”
Let us Pray: God of all nations, On this anniversary of our country, we give You thanks for the blessings we share: the beauty of this land, the diversity of its people, and the ideals that call us toward justice, compassion, and peace. Renew our commitment to the common good. Where we are divided, sow reconciliation. Where any are burdened or forgotten, stir us to serve. Where we fall short of our highest values, grant us humility and courage. Bless all who labor for the welfare of our communities. Guide our leaders with wisdom rooted in mercy. Strengthen us to be people of hope, generosity, and neighborly love. May Your truth guide us, Your justice shape us, and Your peace dwell among us. Amen.
Gospels speak to us every day, we just need to listen. The opening lines of this weeks’ gospel sounds like parents talking. We see kids in the same room texting each other rather than engaging in conversation. Jesus compares the people to children in the marketplace who refuse to respond to either joy or sorrow. Today, it seems people are so wrapped up in themselves and their own lives they might as well be sitting in the mall or marketplace yelling to each other. because they seem only interested in short term rewards or selfish gains. So, what is Matthew trying to tell us? Matthew tells us that those in the marketplace are just existing no response to either joy or sorrow. Unfortunately, we can see that today. We see people who seem to sort off wander through life. Many of these are people we should be engaging with, those who feel the world does not see or hear them. They are the ignored. Our society ignores them the same as society ignored them in biblical times. Sometimes we want God to comfort us but not challenge us; other times we want challenge but not vulnerability. Jesus exposes the tendency to judge the messenger instead of receiving the message. We see Jesus was disappointed because he said :‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ At this point Jesus shifts from critique to praise. He thanks the Father for revealing divine truth not to the “wise and learned” but to the “little ones.” So today we have a great song that portrays Christ as the One who stands at the center of history, calling humanity to follow Him. It describes Jesus as the “piper” who calls us into the true pattern of life. The hymn traces the story of Christ from birth to crucifixion and resurrection, presenting Him as the Lord who leads the dance of creation, redemption, and new life. Here is the refrain from Lord of the Dance by Sydney Carter .
Dance, then, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the dance, said he, And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he. You can find the entire words at this site: https://www.spchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lord-of-the-Dance.pdf
Let us Pray: Holy and gentle Jesus, You see the places where my heart resists Your voice and the places where my spirit is weary from carrying too much. Teach me the humility that opens the door to Your wisdom. Lift the burdens I have tried to shoulder alone. Place upon me Your yoke—light, freeing, and rooted in love. Let me find rest not in escape, but in Your presence. Make my heart like Yours: gentle, humble, and open to grace. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 