Zechariah 9: 9-12
Romans 7:21-8:6
Matthew 11:25-30
Psalm 145: 8-14

Collect
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Gospel for this Sunday is well-known and of great comfort:

Matthew 11:25-30

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.”

This is not to say that we should kick back in a hammock with a refreshing beverage and leave our chores undone, the lawn unmowed, and our responsibilities and worries forgotten. It’s that we need not feel that we are alone in carrying these chores, worries and responsibilities, but that the load is shared with Someone who cares for us. This lightening of the load makes it possible for us to do more than we could have imagined.

In our shared ministry together, Holy Innocents and St Columba must literally pull together to get things done for upcoming events at both parishes. We must always remember that the yoke is easy and the burden is light; we’re not carrying that burden alone.