You Must Be a Subscriber to View This Page
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost • Year A
July 5, 2026 • Proper 9
Click on black & white clipart (above left) or color photo-graphic (above) to view and download full resolution graphics for use on bulletin covers. Tutorials available. Photo Photo
Historical Collect
O God, you never undermine your purpose, as you perfectly provide for all that you create. Remove from our way all that is harmful and give us what will profit that we may share in your invincible grace; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)
Thematic Collect
Heavenly Father, Jesus bids us to come to him when we are weary, promising his yoke of love will be easy. Give us the grace to see that our true peace comes from assuming his yoke and serving you until we are at last at rest in him; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
It is a good thing that God is able to do what he purposes to accomplish. Paul could not do so; neither can we. But thanks be to God that though we delight in the law but cannot perform it, Christ has fulfilled the law. In other words, we cannot overcome sin by keeping the law, but Christ has overcome sin for us. We need but come to him to find rest for our souls and be at peace, knowing that because of his blood of the new covenant we are set free and lifted up by a merciful Lord.
First Reading • Zechariah 9:9-12
It is difficult, when reading verse eleven, not to contrast the covenants of blood. One may attempt to approach God either by “the blood of goats and calves” (Heb 9:12), or by the new covenant in Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25). The approach through the old law leaves one imprisoned by guilt, or at best, offers a temporary redemption. The way of Christ, gives peace and eternal freedom from the hopeless pit.
Psalm • Psalm 145:1-14
Even a casual reading of the Old Testament makes two things quite clear: people are fickle, and God is faithful. Praise him that his works are faithful from generation to generation, for ours are faithless in the course of just one generation. Thank the Lord that he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love throughout all generations!
Second Reading • Romans 7:14-25a
Here, Luther’s saying is evident: simul justus et peccator, or at the same time righteous and sinner. “I am at the same time a sinner and a righteous man, for I do evil and I hate the evil which I do.” (Luther’s Works, vol 25) This saying is far from the understanding of a carnal mind. It is comprehended by faith because one must at once, see one’s entire, glaring sinfulness, while also beholding oneself as redeemed. We must come to see the Lord even in the midst of our sin. When we do not do the good we wished we had done, we must look beyond these failings to the One who accomplishes all good in spite of our sin. “Thanks be to God” that Jesus Christ our Lord delivers us from sin and death—and self.
Gospel • Matthew 11:25-30
Jesus does not refer here to the mere physical or mental work of a laborer. He has in mind rest for the soul instead of for the body and mind. So what is this labor but the labor for righteousness, the work of keeping the law when it constantly nags us and weighs us down with its accusations? No wonder we need rest for the soul. This rest occurs when the Spirit reminds us that Jesus has fulfilled the law. Now we are freed to keep the law without its obligations, and when we fail and are tempted to go back to laboring at it, may instead, come to Jesus and be at peace in the One who fulfilled the law.
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
