One of my friends growing up was called Johnnie Marsh. He was a few months younger than me and the youngest child in his family - he was a bit spoiled; used to being indulged and getting his own way.  A group of us played together virtually every day, especially during the long summer vacations. Whatever game we were playing -marbles, cricket, soccer if Johnnie began to loose he would get upset and want to ?adjust' the rules in his favor. Sometimes I and my other friends would allow this but sometimes not-when this happened Johnnie would get mad, yell at the top of his voice "then I am not playing" and stomp off home in high dudgeon.

 At the opening of the Gospel passage today Jesus is disappointed at people he knew very well.. They had rejected the message of Jesus cousin, John the Baptist by saying "oh he is just one of those crazy prophets- and terrible ascetic-we can't relate to his message".   Then along comes Jesus teaching that God's Kingdom is open to all and sundry and living this out by reaching out to all people-including those written off by the religious types as being beyond the pale-sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors, Jesus even attended social engagements with them to show God's love and forgiveness for all. But the people of Capernaum, where Jesus had lived and whom he knew very well, together with those from the surrounding towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida (just a short walk along the lake) wrote off Jesus and his message- "Oh he is just a playboy-a glutton and a drunkard: and just look who he associates with-not the behavior of a Holy Man of God". But there was a real challenge in Jesus message when he said ?you need to turn away from the direction you have been going and start following God's way'.

 Jesus says-?you claimed to reject John because of his ascetic lifestyle, but now you are saying you reject me because of my party-going ways; you are like kids playing a game  constantly changing the rules for their own benefit'. Why were they rejecting Jesus whom they knew in this way? Because of their sense of desperation; life was hard and grim and it seemed unlikely to get better. Other voices were shouting "we have to fight if we want things to ever get better".

 Jesus recognized that if they choose to reject him as Messiah and his message of love then they must understand where that would lead. Rather than experiencing love, hope and a whole new way of living, the way of violence lay ahead. Swords, spears, surprise attacks, injuries and deaths. Cut off from God's grace and blessings, their long term future would be more awful than that of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Jesus sees that they the people of Israel, including those he knew as friends and neighbors, were at a watershed. Would they embrace his invitation to become part of a new community built on love and forgiveness or would they say no to Jesus?

 He also recognized the anxieties, fears and burdens which pressed heavily upon people. He understood how these pressures were in large part a result of Roman Occupation and therefore how attractive rebellion and violence appeared to them and so he holds before them a clear choice. Are you being crushed by burdens put on you by others?  Are you filled with anxieties and fears for your future well being?  Don't assume that violence is your only option, instead bring all your burdens to me and I will give you rest.

 We can be thankful today that we are not being oppressed by a foreign power as the people of Israel were in Jesus time but we all struggle with pressing burdens and anxieties.

 Where is the economy going and will I be able to afford to buy both food and gas?

Will my job disappear as have so many?

Will I be able to have quality, affordable health care?

My doctor says I need this surgery, what if it does not work?

I am struggling with my marriage-will it last? 

I am so worried about my kid's futures.

 We all have burdens which press upon us. In our case the temptation is not to take the path of violence instead of Jesus way-rather it is to assume that we can manage on our own. That we do not need God's help or help from anyone else.

 Jesus comes to each one of us today and every day and says

 "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."

 I often joke with Bette my wife that "I am coming back as a dog next time-especially if I can arrange to have the same situation as our two dogs". They have few responsibilities, no worries and a secure life with people who love them and care for them. Not many of us are familiar with oxen yokes and so Jesus words to us about taking his yoke upon us may not relate that much. But when I take my dog Bridgit for a walk I put her on a leash. She is a big dog who could easily pull the leash out of my hands-but she does not do that, instead she allows me to guide and direct where we are going and the pace at which we will go. That is a picture of what Jesus is asking of us. If we want his rest, his protection and guidance, his presence in our lives then we have to allow him to set the direction and pace in our lives. We all have the same choice that Jesus friends in Capernaum had-to entrust our lives to him or to go it alone and do our own thing. Which will it be for us?