Our 40 SECOND HOMILY is focusing on the theme, “CARRYING BURDENS TOGETHER.” This is based from Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
 
I follow the lectionary and July 5, 2020 is Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. You and I are joining the Christian churches around the globe who are following the lectionary in the use of the lectionary readings particularly the gospel reading in Matthew.
 
I immediately thought of the powerful imagery that Jesus or the gospel writer used to inspire the early church or early followers of the movement. The images are hand invitation, weariness, carrying a load, heavy burdens, yoke, light burden. You may have other images that you can see according to your perspective. It is good to see these words through many sets of lenses according to our different and yet empowering and humanizing perspectives.
 
Carrying the burdens together in ending racism is doable when we seek to affirm the dignity of every human being. Jesus demonstrated affirming the dignity of every member of his community under oppression even when he faced the risk of becoming a victim of injustice that brought him death.
 
The message of the text and images is our 40 SECOND HOMILY: CARRYING THE BURDENS TOGETHER.
 
Here are our 40 SECOND HOMILY line sentences:
 

• Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

• We are all weary of the pandemic.
• 128,421 plus deaths in the United States as of 7/2/2020.
• We carry the heavy burden of neglect.
• Children, young people, deal with anxiety.
• Front liners carry the burden of caring for us.
• Hands put together helping = image of the YOKE is easy.
• We help carry the burden: serve, seek justice for ALL.
• END RACISM: the burden is light with JESUS.

 
3 Questions for Discussion/Sharing
 
1.What are the heavy burdens the young people are able to identify that cause high level of anxiety?
2.How do you find the words of Jesus comforting or empowering?
3.How do you describe the church as a model of a community carrying heavy burdens together? Can you name any satisfactions or frustrations?

40 SECOND HOMILY: CARRYING BURDENS TOGETHER gif
 
(Images drawn: Yoke of hands/Fel; hands together/Shari)