Taking Faith Home

JULY 5, 2026 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Jesus gives rest to the weary. DAILY BIBLE READINGS These passages are related to the Lectionary texts for this Sunday. Sunday Monday Tuesday Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Rest for the weary Zechariah 9:9-12 Romans 7:15-25a Wednesday Isaiah 40:27-31 Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Hebrews 4:1-11 Mark 2:23-27 Psalm 145:8-14 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK “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.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSV) PRAYERS AND BLESSING A Prayer for the Week: Merciful God, we thank you for giving us rest when we are weary and the invitation to lean on you through Christ our Lord. Amen. Mealtime Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for this gift of food that strengthens our bodies and your presence in our lives that gives rest for our souls. Amen. A Blessing to Give: May God take your burdens and give you rest. © 2025 Milestones Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. HYMN OF THE WEEK I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say WEEKLY MILESTONES Take a moment to tell or think about a recent mountain high and/or valley low in your life. CARING CONVERSATIONS Discuss in your home, small group, or use for personal reflections:  When you are exhausted, where do you find rest and support?  Jesus gives rest to the weary. How has Jesus given you rest? Coming ruler of God’s people The conflict in us The Lord gives strength Rest that God promised A question about the sabbath The Lord is kind and merciful Parable of the sower DEVOTIONS Read: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. In this text Jesus speaks with two very different emotional tones. When Jesus names “this generation” (v. 16), he is really speaking about us. As humans, we are bent on rejecting God, preserving alienation from God, and pursuing idols of any sort. We, as people seeking after our own glory, will never be satisfied with God. We reject the austerity of John the Baptist and the life of abundant pleasure of Jesus. God’s message offered music that we refuse to dance to and grief for which we refuse to express sadness. But the tone changes dramatically at verse 25. God reveals Jesus to infants, to the weary, and to those carrying heavy burdens. The Gospel of Matthew is filled with judgment for those who are content with their own lives and yet merciful to those wanting and needing something they cannot give themselves: the peace and joy of the reign of God. In the moment of need, Jesus comes and gives us rest, takes our burdens, and gives us an easy yoke to guide us. Discuss: Jesus speaks with words of judgment and of comfort. Why do you think we need to hear both? Pray: Merciful God, cleanse us of our self-assurance that is blind to you, and help us to hear your invitation to find rest for our souls through Christ our Lord. Amen. SERVICE Jesus calls us to serve our neighbor in love. Based on the Daily Bible Readings and theme for this week, how can you help and support someone you know who is in need of rest? RITUALS AND TRADITIONS Read Psalm 145:8-14 as a traditional prayer practice called lectio divina. Read the text two times slowly, pausing after each reading. After the second reading, choose a word or phrase from the text that captures your attention. Focus on that word or phrase. Then read the text again and think about how the text connects with your life today. Pause, again, for reflection. Read the passage a fourth time and spend time reflecting on how this passage might direct your life to some action in the next few days. Conclude your time of prayer and reflection with verse 8: “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Amen.” In addition to Taking Faith Home, celebrate milestones in your daily life as an effective faith formation tool. Go to: www.milestonesministry.org