Gregory is back as of this morning! He wanted us to relate that he appreciates all of the love and prayers he received while recovering from his operation, and welcomes them to keep coming as he gets back to 100%. He said he has been thanking everyone through the meal train app who brought him meals and appreciated it very much.

The World Cup—and the enthusiasm surrounding it—is a welcome respite from what seems to be an endless stream of distressing national and international news stories. The once-every-four-years soccer (football) tournament is being held right now mostly in the US, with some games in Canada and Mexico. It’s the most-widely followed (and watched) sporting event in the world.

I’ve been enjoying watching a few games and have been pleasantly surprised by how many fans from a wide diversity of nations are here. It’s refreshing to see the excitement and enthusiasm of the teams and their fans, and it’s been a delight to see so much support for underdog teams, especially those from smaller nations. The viral scenes of the Cape Verde team jubilantly celebrating after their unexpected win were a real joy to watch. Cape Verde is a nation of 10 islands about 350 miles west of Senegal, and it is home to 530,000 people.

In this Sunday’s story from Matthew, Jesus seems to be addressing those in the crowd around him who are suffering from an enthusiasm deficit. But it’s not because of bad news. As the story goes on, it appears there are people (likely religious leaders) around him who are so fixated on religion being properly practiced that they are missing the joy that’s going on around them.
Hope to see you in church this Sunday as we hear this:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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.”

See you on Sunday,
-Craig

Liberation is at the heart of Christianity. Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming freedom to the captives. On a day like today, we must always remember that this is the good news—that freedom is for those who have been captive, not just metaphorically, but physically. Juneteenth remembers the reality that those enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, who had already been made free on paper were not actually made free in practice. And so we celebrate the day the news came to them and their liberation became reality. So let Juneteenth be a beacon to us who follow Christ, that although he proclaimed freedom to the captives over 2,000 years ago, our celebration will not happen in fullness until the powers of this world that still oppress and dehumanize Black Americans are fully dismantled and all who are oppressed are liberated.