July 5, 2026
HOLY TRINITY
FOCUS: Our rest comes in walking side-by-side with Christ.
The God who defeated death – this mighty one whose dominion shall be from sea to sea – promises to carry our burdens with us, to never leave us alone in our struggles, to humble himself to walk beside us in our smallness and our need. Our rest comes in walking side-by-side with Christ.
What's in Your Heart
Are you getting enough rest in your life? Ask yourself the following:
-
Do I get sufficient physical rest? That includes finding the right balance of exercise and sleep, invigorating activity as well as restful, rejuvenating times.
-
Do I enjoy enough emotional rest? Ministry is stressful and emotionally demanding. Do I plan enough down time, as well as time with family, friends, and colleagues who let me relax and be myself so I can recharge my emotional batteries?
-
How about spiritual rest? Am I spiritually antsy, suffering from a kind of spiritual insomnia? Or am I able to "rest in God"? In my prayer life, do I turn to God for consolation and strength? Am I able to quiet down the 10,000 voices inside and hear the "still small voice" of God?
Homily Stories
On this Fourth of July weekend, I have a confession to make: I am not very fond of parades. There is nothing more boring for me than to stand on the sidelines as floats and bands pass by. It is even more of a drag to watch it on television.
I've never marched in a parade. But I am guessing that some kind of actual involvement would be more fun than just watching it. Waving at the crowds, hearing their cheers, throwing beads, being a participant rather than just a spectator could make it exciting.
The story of our faith unfolds like a parade before us. Jesus comes to us as the prophets promised. He offers to take away our burdens if we come to him. Do we stand on the side or do we join in the parade and march alongside those seeking rest and those who have gone before us who have found rest and helped unburden those who were struggling under the weight of injustice?
We who live in democracies are blessed with an incredible gift of freedom. We can choose how and where we worship or whether to worship at all. For Christians living in a free land, the best way to celebrate our liberty is to join in the parade and walk with Jesus.
