Singing out of tune

By the Rev. Elisabeth Shelton Hartwell

Revised Common Lectionary reflection for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 9, Year A
July 5, 2026

Key verse: “… You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants…” – Matthew 11:25

Dear fellow preachers, it wasn’t too long ago that I was settled in on my family room sofa watching “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” the classic 1994 romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell. Hands down, my favorite part in the movie, the one that leaves me in stitches every time, is the scene in which Father Gerald (Rowan Atkinson) officiates his very first wedding. But, another favorite scene of mine is when, during another wedding, Scarlett sings very loudly and extremely off-key. It’s Scarlett’s penchant for singing out of tune that comes to mind when I spend time with our text from Matthew. After all, it might be said that this text is also about singing off-key. Our text draws a contrast between those who align themselves with God’s will and intentions (those who match God’s pitch), and those who can’t seem to fully grasp what Jesus requires of them (who sing dreadfully out of tune). 

What I initially notice about our text is how dramatically Jesus’s mood seems to change from the first verses (16-19) to the final verses (28-30). Our text’s opening verses reveal a Jesus who seems frustrated, to say the least. He vents about how those around him just don’t seem to get it… they can’t seem to wrap their minds around their purpose and calling as his followers. In verses 20-24 (not included in this coming Sunday’s pericope), Jesus continues his rant, turning his attention to entire cities of people who seem incapable of understanding what it looks like to follow him. But then, beginning in verse 25, Jesus’ mood seems to lighten a bit. He suggests that it’s those who are willing and able to adopt his countercultural, often counterintuitive, way of living who are the ones actually singing in tune with faith. These are the people who ultimately can become yoked with Jesus through the intimate, transformative relationship they share with him. These are the true followers who ultimately discover peace and solid ground (vv.28-30). 

When it comes down to it, the way to faithfully tune our living to God’s purposes and intentions, and to truly understand what God is up to in the world, is to look not to cultural or societal measures of success, but to place hope and trust in God’s often strange, but ultimately redemptive ways. 

As we apply this text to our congregants’ lives and our communal life together, there are a few ways we might explore what it means to tune our living to God’s melodies:

1. Take a deeper look at the ways in which God’s ways are often not the “right” ways promoted in our culture and society. What does it look like to align ourselves with God’s values and priorities?
2. Explore what might change in congregants’ lives if they became truly yoked with Jesus. What would look different in their lives if they became more intentional about deepening their relationship with their Savior?
3. Part of being yoked with Jesus means being yoked with other people who search for peace and are in need of comfort. Challenge your congregants to name who in their lives needs support and to consider how they might help to carry others’ burdens. 

My fellow preachers, the promise and hope in our text is this: as we yoke ourselves to Christ, we learn from him and discover a completely new way of seeing the world. In so doing, we lay down our heavy burdens and find rest for our souls. Ask yourself how specifically your congregants need to hear this message, and how it might apply in a unique way to the setting in which you serve. 

In Worship
You might consider including the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” in your worship service. The line “tune my heart to sing thy grace” invites congregants to consider what it looks like to tune our living to God’s purposes. You might also recall a time when someone was singing dreadfully off-key and how that impacted your ability to enjoy the moment. Or, if you’re the one who tends to sing out of tune, you can share from experience the ways in which that might inhibit your ability to enjoy music. Ultimately, you can use the analogy of singing off-key to invite congregants to consider what it looks like to live in a way that is out of tune with God’s intents and purposes. 

Worship with Youth
Youth are often in the process of a very significant time in their lives, as they discover more and more of who they are and who they hope to be when they grow up. Part of this process of self-discovery involves clarifying their values and priorities. Invite youth to share about the values and priorities that guide their everyday lives, while also encouraging them to ask what they believe God is asking of them. How is God a part of their living, and how might they deepen their relationship with Jesus? These questions can help youth to include faith in their ongoing process of self-discovery. 

Worship with Children
With kids, you might play the piano or another instrument to show the difference between being in tune and out of tune. Invite kids to describe the difference they hear. Then, suggest that it’s not only music that can sometimes be out of tune. Sometimes, the things we do or don’t do might be out of tune with what God asks of us. You can then explore with kids what it looks like to act in ways that align with God’s ways. For example, you might imagine different ways they can show love to another person or give support to someone else.

Previous reflections for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A:
2020 – Hidden in plain sight
2017 – Life Savor or Life Savior?
2014 – The Soul Whisperer