Reconciliation

Scripture: Joshua 5:9-12  • Psalm 32  • 2 Corinthians 5:16-21  • Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

As Katerina Whitley tells us in her "A Ministry of Reconciliation, "," "In a country that is bitterly divided, at a time when hatred seems to be winning over love and where hostility works against reconciliation, let us move as true ambassadors for Christ to spread the good news of God’s embrace for all of God’s creation and created beings. “We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” St. Paul’s entreaty rings in our ears: “On behalf of Christ.” And the image of a loving father, of God’s arms ready to embrace each lost child, stays before our eyes as we proceed in this Lenten season toward resurrection."

What better way to understand reconciliation, what enables us to reconcile, and what keeps us from reconciling than Jesus' parable of the prodigal son. 

How, and what can we do, to engage in a ministry of reconciliation? What does it take for and from us? For and from others? Consider Sister Kym Harris' "Exposition."

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?