Boston Massacre
Crispus Attucks (center) is believed to be the first Black man killed for the cause of American independence during the Boston Massacre of 1770. Yet Attucks' sacrifice for freedom didn't translate into freedom for Black slaves in America when the Declaration of Independence was written six years later. America's legacy of racism has resulted in a new wave of uprisings as the July 4, 2020 holiday approaches. (Public domain image, Federal Works Agency. Work Projects Administration. Division of Information)
Editor’s note: With great sadness, we report that the creator of MEMO for Those Who Preach, the Rev. Bill Cotton, has entered hospice care at his home in Des Moines, Iowa. Bill’s legacy is being carried on by his many friends and colleagues, principally the Rev. Robert Dean, another retired clergy member of the Iowa Annual Conference. With this issue, we also introduce a Spanish version of the MEMO prepared by the Rev. Paul I. Burrow, Senior Pastor of Perry/Minburn/Rippey/Fairview UMC. We invite our readers who have valued the MEMO these past few years to pray for Bill, his wife Jan, and their family and friends as Bill makes his transition to eternal life. His memory will be a blessing.
July 5, 2020 — Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Psalm 45: 10-17, or Psalm 72 (UMH 795)
Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Independence Day weekend brings challenges to the preacher, with the call for racial justice adding to the pressure this year. Some in your congregations want a celebration of our nation’s blessings, while others may want a call to repentance.
Our founders declared the colonies were free from the rule of the King, but did not give that freedom to all. In our own Methodist history, slavery was practiced by people who bore not only the name of our denomination, but the Name of Christ-followers. But discrimination was not limited to those who enslaved people. Today, forms of racial discrimination still haunt us.
The questions abound: what is God calling us to do? What is there to celebrate in the life of our nation? What is there to mourn and repent? Central to this weekend: what brings true freedom?
The Genesis passage shows that while Abraham and Sarah left Ur behind to go to a land God would show them, Abraham still felt a bond. Isaac’s mother had died, and Father Abraham wants him to marry a woman from their clan. Abraham sends a servant to Ur to find a wife for his son. God works throughout the search, and the servant’s faithfulness may make a good point of focus. Is freedom found in faithfulness to one’s family, one’s home, and – for us today – to one’s nation? What national events and documents show faithfulness to the call of God? Where have we fallen short?
The passage is quite long, and that’s with some verses omitted! Still, It is part of our heritage. It would make a great “readers’ theater” production, but COVID-19 restrictions and time factors may prohibit that for most.
Psalm 45 is about a royal wedding, which would tie into the end of the Genesis passage (Isaac and Rebekah’s wedding). Do we lose freedom in relationships? Does interdependence bring blessing?
Paul looks at another aspect of freedom in his letter to the Roman Christians. Many in your parish can relate well to the dire predicament Paul describes. The New Revised Standard Version uses “man”, but the Common English Bible is more inclusive: “24 I’m a miserable human being. Who will deliver me from this dead corpse? 25 Thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
A fuller understanding may require Paul’s continued description of this freedom and release from sin: “Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness.” (Romans 8:4b) How are we called to live out the Spirit’s presence as individuals, as congregations, and as Americans?
Finally, there is the seeming oxymoron Jesus gives us. It is in submitting to the yoke, one finds true rest (and true freedom of the kind Paul describes). Not be be confused with slavery, this is a voluntary submission to a way of life. There is a very deep truth here, which can apply to individuals, families, communities, and - yes – nations.
Regardless of the focus of your message, it is worth the time to read an interesting perspective on the 4th of July and worship in an article by Rev. Dr. Derek Weber, Director of Preaching Ministries at our UM Board of Discipleship, at https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/for-freedom/fifth-sunday-after-pentecost-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes.
God bless you in your preparations and your preaching!
The Rev. Bob Dean is a retired elder in the Iowa Annual Conference who enjoys studying the history of our nation and the role religion has played in our national life.