The question is not, "Why," but how are dealing with it

Scripture:

Isaiah 55:1-9  • 

Psalm 63:1-8  • 

1 Corinthians 10:1-13  • 

Luke 13:1-9

As problem solvers, we are trained to look at causes and effects. There are idioms which illustrate ways we go about solving problems such as "nip it in the bud," "head it off at the pass," "cut the head off the snake."

But what about problems which don't lend themselves to easy solutions. Why is there  suffering, pain, and evil - yes, evil in - the world? Why do people get sick and die? Why are innocent people punished and bad people rewarded, or "get away with murder," as we are wont to say?

To be sure, we are right to pursue good science and innovation, but as Jesus tells us in his parable of the fig tree, and as our authors this week suggest, maybe we are asking the wrong questions, or focusing on the wrong things. Compare The Rev. Marshall A. Jolly's "Suffering and Punishment," and The Rev. Debie Thomas' "Ask a Better Question." Consider Isaiah's question, "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?"

What can we take away from this lesson, for ourselves, our relationships - for dealing with suffering and punishment, with evil, and the unknown?

Power, love and protection - "as a hen gathers her brood beneath her wings"

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18  •  Psalm 27  • Philippians 3:17-4:1  •  Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)      

As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem, some Pharisees warn him that Herod wants to kill him. Why do you think they warned Jesus, and what was his response? Jesus follows with his lament over the city of Jerusalem. Compare images of the power of the Romans and Herod, and that of a mother hen protecting her chicks. Of conquest by force, and conquest by loving sacrifice.

The Rev. Kory Wilcoxson discusses "rejection," "broken-heartedness," "perseverance," and "protection and feeling need for protection," recurrent themes in our Lenten reflections, in "Keep on Going."

What are the stones that pave Jerusalem which Jesus laments? What are the stones thrown that not only killed the prophets, but our very souls and spirits, and which keep us from being in relationship with God and each other?  See "The Road to Jerusalem is Paved With the Stones of Rejection," by The Rev. Michael K. Marsh.

As we read and hear of world events today, especially with the algorithms of social media feeding anger, division, and alienation, we ask will the world be a better place for our children and grandchildren? In "God's Hidden Work in theWorld, "" The Rev. Ben Helmer reflects on Paul's letter to the Philippians and promises made to Abraham, and to us through the prophets and Jesus. He discusses some best practices that help us to connect with God's promises to help us connect with God's promises as we wait the day of Christ's coming in glory.

In, "I Have Longed,"Debie Thomas tells us we are invited to embrace our vulnerability, lament, and return in this second week of Lent. What does she mean?

Changed? How could we not be?

Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35  • Psalm 99  • 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2  •  Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

This Sunday is transfiguration Sunday. The lectionary brings together the story of Moses having to put a veil on his face after his encounter with God on Mt. Sinai when he brought the Ten Commandments down to the children of Israel, with Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain top with Peter, John and James, and Paul's commentary on the freeing presence of the Spirit and Christ's setting aside the veil so that we can directly experience the glory of God.

In Luke 9, verse 29 we see the use of the Greek word  ἕτεροv, which means "another of a different quality, which the disciples observed in the countenance of Jesus' face. They would never be the same. How could they be? See Joshua Woods' "Forever Changed."

What does the transfiguration story mean to you? 

The Rev. Robert Chase in Mountaintops and Intersections tells us that the story tells us to listen to what God's son has to tell us, to be prepared to be surprised by God, and to look each other in the eye and move forward together rather than just stand there looking up, transcending our differences - there are things to do coming off the mountain.

The Rev. David Copley, in "To Be Sent Out," reminds us that we are an "incarnational" church, internalizing the understanding that God has created all humanity in his image and that we are all sisters and brothers in Christ - we cannot refuse to feed the hungry, or help the poor, the outcast and suffering, when we encounter God in the flesh of Christ, and in the face of our brothers and sisters.

The Rev. Alan Brehm talks about the life giving presence of God transforming us free from fears which plague us, and bring us down in "No More Fear."

Finally, think about what we can be and do as a church as you read Walter Bruggemann's "A Church Aglow."

Exercising Godly Power

Scripture:

Genesis 45:3-11, 15  • 

Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40  • 

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50  • 

Luke 6:27-38

We have discussed different types of power,  δύναμις - power, might, strength, and ἐξουσία - liberating, freeing kind of power.

In a world with such a diversity and disparity of "power," with some exercising "dominion" and "control" of others, what does God expect from us? In our relationships, in our communities, country, and throughout the world?

Christians believe in the power of God, through Christ, which frees us and liberates us from our sin, ἁμαρτία - missing of the mark, and that Jesus forsook earthly power that we might have life, even life eternally, and before him every knee should bend, and every head should bow. The power of self sacrificial love -  ἀγάπη.

So, what is Godly power? Is it used today? How, or how not? Our old Testament reading and The Rev. Charles Hoffacker provides some perspective in "How Joseph Became a GivingMan - a Gift." How does the reading from Luke tie into this?

What is it, to be blessed?

Scripture:

Jeremiah 17:5-10  • 

Psalm 1  • 

1 Corinthians 15:12-20  • 

Luke 6:17-26

What is it, to be blessed? The Psalm and Old Testament reading from the prophet Jeremiah give us some clues. But what about Jesus' sermon on the plain as related in the gospel of Luke? Unlike Matthew's account of the sermon on the mount, Luke relates, among other things, that the poor, not the poor in spirit, the hungry, not those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, are blessed. Are Matthew and Luke talking about the same thing, or not?

And what about the "woes?" The rich, the full, those laughing, and those when all speak well of them? For those who are safe, have a comfortable home and shelter, plenty to eat, work or a comfortable retirement, friends and meaningful activities, what is Jesus trying to tell us about blessings, and being blessed? Consider "Blessings and Woes," by The Rev. Debie Thomas, and The Rev. Ken Kesselus' "Joining the Saints."

Change, Fear, and Trust

Scripture: 

Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13)  • 

Psalm 138  • 

1 Corinthians 15:1-11  • 

Luke 5:1-11

There are so many things we can control, especially with ever changing technology. But what about things we can't control? How, or what, do we feel and think when we are faced with circumstances beyond our control?

Quite often we approach change or circumstances beyond our control, or thought process, with awe, suspicion, skepticism, reluctance to change, and even fear. Today's gospel lesson tells of Jesus getting into Simon Peter's boat, addressing the crowd from the shore, and then telling Peter to casts his net into the sea. What did Peter say? What did he do? What did Jesus say?

Sometimes the most difficult thing for us is change. Whether it is from habit or routine, something minor, or something life changing, how are we called to face circumstances which call for change?

Consider The Rev. Denae Ashley's "Trusting Jesus."

Putting God’s Expectations Over Our Own

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10  • Psalm 71:1-6  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13  • Luke 4:21-30

In the season of Epiphany, we have considered Jesus' baptism, his first miracle, and last week his first sermon. This week we get part II of his sermon in his home town of Nazareth. Epiphany celebrates the light come into the world in God's time. We have been studying the new ways to look at things, to grow as a church and as God's people, illuminated by God's love.

This week Jesus chose his home town to inaugurate his mission, pointedly, not just to the "home team," the Jews, but to the whole world. The poor will be fed, the blind will see, the captives will be set free, the oppressed freed, and God's Jubilee is thrown open to all. Why do you think Jesus said and did this in his home town? What was their reaction?

What do we expect from Jesus? What does he expect of us? What do  we expect of  ourselves? Read The Rev. Kirk Kubicek's "We Are His," The Rev. Danae Ashley's "Putting God's Expectations Over Our Own" and The Rt. Rev. Robert Wright's "Love is for Grownups," which ties in St. Paul's beautiful "love chapter" from 1st Corinthians with the message Jesus brings to us from Nazareth. It isn't easy trusting God's will over our own wants, wishes, hopes, and expectations. Unless we see that as our hope. And we gave been given the greatest hope of all. God is with us.