LIVING TOGETHER
Why does mankind hate people based on religion and race?
Is it ignorance, education, or governments deciding our place.
For people are people regardless of the color of their face.
And the love in our hearts is an example of God's grace.
European people are the most powerful people under the sun.
Asians, Blacks, and Jews are constantly under the economic gun.
But people should not be exploited because of the color of skin.
White people must reject racism for a world of love to begin.
But are not Blacks, Jews, and Asians also guilty of racism?
For some of their religious leaders are advocates of separatism.
Now all people, whites, Asians, Jews,and Blacks, live on earth.
For racism will show God how much our souls are really worth.
All people will die and their bodies will stink becoming dirt.
And the devil will have the souls of all racist to forever hurt.
For Love is the most powerful force throughout the world.
Conquering all obstacles and causing racist minds to whirl.
We can't take money religion family or hate when we die.
But we can take love, and send it back to those who will cry.
For only love will cure any grieving and lonely heart.
And cause a no-good son or daughter to give life another start.
People are just human beings regardless of their ethnic pride.
So people should try to constantly look spiritually inside.
So forget about religion racism and discriminating government.
Because only Brotherhood will eliminate all bills and the rent.
Raymond C. Russell
PENTECOST
Rock the boat
Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30 (20-24)
My reading of this part of Matthew’s Gospel is that Jesus has become sick of a way of life, a religion, that settles for the status quo with so much wrong with the world. Don’t rock the boat people, don’t rock the boat Jesus. And it’s a message for today. Look around you - mourn what needs mourning and do it aloud. And don’t be afraid to celebrate - to reach out beyond our religious comfort zones to those on the edges.
But despite his disappointment Jesus still offers an invitation to those who will hear, as he does today. Having started this reading by likening those who will not accept him and his teachings as foolish children, he ends it by saying that we need to accept him and his gospel as trusting children. For it is to trusting children that God’s wisdom goes. Jesus makes the generous offer that is always there. ‘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.’
The invitation is clear. It is in following the Christ that our burdens are made lighter, more tolerable. It’s an invitation made here, despite the judgement that is made just a few verses before in the portion of Scripture left out by our lectionary makers. How much stronger is the point made when you leave such passages in. God’s grace is always there. God’s yoke is made to fit easily because in following Jesus we become the people God created us to be.
When we’ve tried to do things our way and exhausted ourselves in striving, in worrying, Jesus says, ‘Come to me’. Our burdens are shared, yoked together with Jesus. Instead of going off in all directions we have a Way, a Truth, a Life that we can be harnessed to.
And when Jesus declares here that he is gentle and humble in heart, he’s describing God’s grace. It is gentleness and humility that show people the way to God. This is how people see God, because this is how Jesus ministered and Jesus invites us to be yoked to that gentleness that humility. It’s an invitation that is always on offer.
‘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.’
