Fr Matthew Reese

“Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him: “Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.”

—BCP 332; Matthew 11:28, KJV

Dear Friends in Christ,

This morning’s Gospel passage (Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30) ends with a wonderful, evocative phrase. In the New Revised Standard Version––in which we will hear it this morning at Eucharist––it reads thus:

“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.”

But it’s the King James Version of this first verse [see above] which is imprinted on the hearts of so many Episcopalians and Anglicans around the world. Matthew 11:28 is the first of the “Comfortable Words,” four passages of Scripture which the priest recites to the people immediately before the start of the Eucharistic prayer.

In the old Prayerbook, all four of them were read at each Eucharist: Matthew 11:28, then John 3:16 (“God so loved the world…”), then 1 Timothy 1:15 (“This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received…”) and finally 1 John 2:1-2 (“If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father…”). In Rite I in our current book, one or more of them are optional. In Rite II––sadly––they do not appear at all.

I think this is a shame, because these are indeed comfortable words. In these brief passages of Scripture, we are reminded of God’s infinite mercy and goodness. We are reminded that God forgives the penitent sinner. We are comforted in our knowledge that Jesus Christ “is the perfect offering for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

There is nothing as weighty, as holy, as beyond human comprehension as the Holy Eucharist. It is a sacrament to which we should come with penitent hearts and sober preparation and yet… and yet when we arrive at the start of the consecration we are reminded of Our Lord’s words… like cool water to a parched tongue.

“Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.”

Let us unburden ourselves of our sins. Let us set aside our labors. Let us come to the supper of the Lamb. He will refresh us.

Yours in Christ,

—Fr Matthew