St Colmon Parish Church

Sunday 5th July 2026

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Today we focus on the appointed gospel reading from the Lectionary. In the first part of the reading Jesus likens his generation to a group of contrary children. When some suggest they play at weddings… “no” comes the reply, another suggestion is made, let’s play at funerals, and the response is “no we don’t want to play at funerals”. Whatever suggestions were put forward, there was a negative and critical response.

John the Baptist had been imprisoned, and people had been critical of his austere lifestyle. Jesus himself was criticised for keeping company with undesirables, and enjoying good food and drink. Jesus said “Wisdom is proved right by her actions”. Though the people were critical of Gods messengers, the truth was evident that God was at work in their lives. John the Baptist brought people to repentance and lives we changed for the better. Jesus brought healing and good news for the poor.

There is often a degree of criticism that goes on in the world around us. People often enjoy “putting the world to rights”, but it is good for us to look at the positives in the world around us and in the church.

Bishop J C Ryle wrote of the tendency of people to be critical of clergy, words that could be applied in our day. He reflects on the passage and says: “It is a mournful fact, that there are always thousands of professing Christians just as unreasonable as these … They are equally perverse, and equally hard to please: whatever we teach and preach, they find fault; whatever our manner of life they are dissatisfied. Do we tell them of salvation by grace, and justification by faith? At once they cry out against our doctrine as licentious… . Do we tell them of the holiness which the gospel requires? At once they exclaim that we are too strict, and precise, and righteous overmuch. Are we cheerful? They accuse us of levity. Are we grave? They call us gloomy and sour. Do we keep aloof from Balls and races, and plays? They denounce us as puritanical, exclusive and narrow minded. Do we eat and drink, and dress like other people, and attend to our worldly callings, and go into society? They sneeringly insinuate they see no difference between us and those who make no religious profession at all; and that we are no better than other men. – What is this but the conduct of (those in our passage) over again?”

It is important that we stay focussed on what God wants us to do and that we live lives which are pleasing to him. May we aim to build one-another up in these days.

In the second part of our reading, we see Jesus’ address intimate words to his heavenly father before saying those memorable words to his followers: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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”. Here is a wonderful reminder that whatever pressures we face we can come to Jesus and find rest for our souls. We need to trust in his good purposes for each one of us. We remember that Joseph was a carpenter, and Jesus no doubt worked as a carpenter during the hidden years of his life which are not recorded in scripture. He probably tailor-made yokes for animals, to help them bear loads easily. The lives that we are given are tailor-made by God. When we walk with the Lord our burden becomes light.

May each of us know God’s blessing and peace in these days.

O Christ, the Master Carpenter,
who at the last, through wood and nails,
purchased our whole salvation,
wield well your tools
in the workshop of your world
so that we who come rough-hewn to you bench
may here be fashioned
to a truer beauty of your hand.
We ask it for your own name`s sake.
Amen (Common Order 1994 St Andrews Press).