Reading the Gospels for Lent

 

Note: on Tuesday this week we paused for prayer for the tragic shooting and grieving families.  We continue to pray for families and especially for our country where we are struggling to keep our children safe.  Here are two posts for today on our Lenten Theme:

Read ~ Luke 17-19

 

Luke 17 begins with a narrative of gratitude, which always reminds me of the great truth that if the only prayer we utter is, “Thank you,” those two words are enough.  In chapter 18, you read several parables.  Remembering that parables are supposed to make you uncomfortable as in, “What do mean the Samaritan was good?!  That makes no sense!”  Are there details in this series of parables that sit uncomfortably within you?  Chapter 19 might be titled, “Life on the Road,” where Jesus first encounters Zacchaeus and then rides on, rides on in majesty into Jerusalem.  This morning, take a few moments to look back on the road of life, what have you encountered during the month of March?  Look back on the last month to name and notice, what you are grateful this last month?  It doesn’t have to be life changing.  I can be grateful for a hug, bowl of ice cream, petting my dog, friendships, the beautiful ordinariness of the less-than- perfectness that is my life. 

 

On other comment, I love the Zacchaeus story because it makes me think of the song, “Zacchaeus was a wee-little man, and a wee-little man was he.”  But I also think, where am I climbing or striving or straining to get a glimpse of Jesus?  Zacchaeus was intentional in his actions; how might I continue to pay attention and be intentional as I inch closer to Easter?  May these questions and stories awaken insights and the presence of God in your life this week.  Amen.

 

For today ~ Saturday, April 1

Read ~ Luke 20-24

 

These chapters start with questions about authority.  Notice how we still question authority today and uses of power.  I wonder what questions are swirling and stirring in you as you are reading the gospels?  Note that not every question will find a quick answer.  Sometimes we live the questions not knowing the solution (because not everything is Google-able), trusting that one day we may discover or be discovered by an answer.  As the tension builds in Luke toward the cross, how does Luke’s story differ from John or Matthew?  Are you noticing differences or distinctions in the details?   I encourage you to pay attention to the questions in chapter 20, these were important issues of the day: paying taxes and resurrection.  Do you have questions about those topics?  The questions continue in chapter 21, as we consider what makes a faithful offering?  Do we give out of abundance or even out of guilt?  You then hear the narrative of the Last Supper, which takes a turn toward heart break and soul ache when the word, “Betrayal” is uttered, and the disciples start arguing about greatness ~ which makes me wonder how often in the church do we argue about things and want to prove points?  We hear about Jesus’ trial and crucifixion.  Note that in Luke’s resurrection, it is on the road to Emmaus that Jesus appears.  More on that in a moment.

 

Questions to ponder: There are several holy meals in this group of chapters (from the Last Supper to breaking bread/opening eyes at Emmaus), when have you had a holy meal recently?  What did you notice about Luke’s telling of Holy Week, was there a detail that stirred in your soul?  The image of the road is used throughout Luke (see the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, Zacchaeus story, Emmaus story), where are you right now on the road of life?  What do you see around you and how does that impact the weather pattern in your soul?

 

I encourage you to read and re-read the Emmaus story.  Jesus comes alongside the disciples ~ is a metaphor for Jesus coming alongside YOU today on the road of life.  Jesus teaches and preaches ~ is a truth that the Spirit still longs to help you grow in your faith and understanding and living the art project of life.  Jesus stays, breaks bread, and opens hearts ~ is a metaphor for how every meal is communion with Christ’s presence.  May these truths this day stir and sing to your soul as we prepare tomorrow, Palm Sunday, to enter our Holiest Week.   Amen.