All Who Are Weary

In the Gospel lesson for this weekend, Jesus offers this remarkable invitation: “Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest.” We have pondered that weariness is not the same as being tired. It is an experience that cannot be solved by an afternoon nap. Sometimes we find ourselves weary because of past failures and mistakes. Other times, the weariness creeps in when we look to the future and wonder how it will all turn out. Present weariness is often deeply connected to concerns within significant relationships, neighborhoods, and the world.

On this 4th of July weekend, we mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There is cause for celebration and the honest naming of weariness. There is much to be grateful for as we ponder 250 years of what the Declaration of Independence set as an aspiration, in the original words: “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The vision of all created equal, with rights like “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is inspiring.

Beyond any political leanings, in our shared humanity, we know how the weariness creeps in when we ponder the ways this vision was not inclusive of Indigenous nations, the history of chattel slavery, and the fear that still fuels hatred and division.

We give thanks that Jesus knew of unfulfilled aspirations, weariness, and the complexity of life in a broken world. Jesus was born to live, die, and be raised for you and me. He understands your weariness as well as your hopes and dreams for a world made whole. One small turn of phrase, near the end of the Declaration of Independence, names: “ties of our common kindred.” We share a “common kindred” tie in our weariness, hope, and faith in the One who will give us rest and inspire us to work for the day when all people will fully know “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Peter