Proper 9, Yr A (2026) The Rev. Karen C. Barfield
Proper 9, Yr A (2026) The Rev. Karen C. Barfield
Matthew 11:16-29, 25-30 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
In the name of the one, holy, and loving 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….
I am guessing that every generation asks the same question!
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 and expect 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.
Jesus came,
full of life and abundant grace,
and he is judged.
Apparently, 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 said,
for most folks,
change is difficult.
Yet, instead of throwing up his hands and walking away,
thereby dismissing “this generation…”
Jesus 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 these folks are suffering and worn out…
and in need of rest.
Come to me, Jesus says,
and I will give you rest.
I get that part…
we can find rest in Jesus.
That bit about taking on Jesus’ yoke is a bit more confusing.
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 up ourselves in frustration or anger with the way things “ought to be”…
Is Jesus saying that instead of engaging in judgment and struggle by being inflexible,
we will find new life if we engage opportunities with humility and gentleness,
being open to new possibilities as they come along?
Being open to change?!
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 train…
and maybe even learn better ways of doing things!
Now, I am first to admit that I am not one of those folks who thrives on change!
A little change is OK
if you don’t ask too much.
As I was thinking about our community here at St. Andrew’s,
it struck me that we are gifted to have 4 generations that gather together.
Folks who regularly engage our life together range in age from 6 to 94.
That’s quite an age range…
and quite the opportunity to present ideas from many different perspectives.
I am guessing that each generation has 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,
yet change also involves gaining new life.
The Town of Canton is in the midst of change.
The mill is coming down,
and we are waiting to see what the new development will bring.
Houses are going on the market,
and new folks are moving to town.
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 will be meeting in a couple of weeks for a mini-retreat.
We will be talking about our mission and vision
as well as beginning a conversation on our core values.
Who are we?
What are we about?
How do we name our values as followers of Jesus?
We will be engaging the whole congregation in these conversations over the coming months.
The point of the conversations is to become clear about our gifts and our calling
so that we can share with others and invite others to join us in ministry.
We know that 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 4 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.
