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“Be it ever so crumbly, there’s no place like Rome”–B. Bunny. Wait a minute, Bugs! That last word should be HOME! Home is a man’s castle, and a place from which a woman tries to escape. Home is a sanctuary from the World, a place of safety and warmth. Home is where the cat sleeps on his back in front of the fire, with one eye open and one paw extended… Where is YOUR home? Do you have one, here?

JOSHUA 5:9-12 continues the story of the newly-arrived Hebrews in the Promised Land of Canaan. As they bear in mind the past of yesterday (manna) they celebrate the fact that they’re home today by eating “the produce of the land”. Now that they have a base from which to move, there’s an implication that they need to remember their own wanderings by establishing a home for those yet aliens and strangers. And so they ate in God’s name, with God’s blessing and the anticipation of gardening in their own backyard.

St. Paul speaks of this newness of perception in II CORINTHIANS 5:16-21–“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” Old standards of wealth and social prestige have disappeared in favor of all beings bearing the mark of Christ and living within his reach. To give up hope for even the Evil one is to deny the power of God to change the System. The Church, God’s community, has provided a home for the outcast and other fellow pilgrims.

The Gospel lesson, LUKE 15:11-32, tells the familiar story of the Prodigal Son, really the story of the Prodigal Father. You know it well: the second son takes his share of the family fortune and squanders it on loose living, comes to his senses and decides to go back home where he can have at least the security of the servants. BUT his dad has been keeping the light lit and the door unlocked, and welcomes him back with a big party! Everyone’s happy ‘cept the big brother, who’s been a good doobie and feels neglected. This story isn’t so much about the sons as it is about the Father, who gives more ‘n’ more to ensure the fulfillment of his children. A major part of this is welcoming the wanderer (you and me?) home…

When I was in college and grad school, my Mom & Dad were accepting new assignments and moving around a bit. I was most envious of my friends who said the were “”going home” for the holidays, because I felt as if I had no home to which I could return. Since then, God has provided various places where I could laugh and dare to live; I’ve grown by accepting where I am as “home”. When you come rolling home, I pray that you’ll sense a party in your name, and not be reluctant to come in…

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Every Tuesday we explore the texts to be read on the upcoming weekend in worship, and are likewise explored by them! Come join us at horacebrownking.com

The Season of Lent acknowledges that despite our activities to produce great wealth, not everything is OK. Even though the taxes are manageable and we may have gotten good news about our investments, still the homeless sleep under bridges and show up for community meals. Still we lie awake in the early morning hours wondering where God is. Readings heard on the upcoming weekend tell us of ancient struggles within modern situations. Human madness includes being hungry and thirsty for steadfast love.

ISAIAH 55:1-9 probably marks the beginning of New Things. The Exiles (or their children) have returned from the glitz of Babylon to find the Land they Dreamed About has gone to wrack and ruin: the Temple has been razed and a bunch of Samaritans now have taken over their land… And God invites them: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters!” This is more than we had hoped for, or even deserved! Can we really be the People of God? “The prophet addresses a people who have wasted their resources and their striving on things that are of no benefit to them.” (Richard C. Puckett, in FEASTING on the WORD C 2:77) YOU shall call the nations.

Some will read I CORINTHIANS 10:1-13 as the gloomy side of St.Paul, filled with warnings of dire consequences for idolatry, sexual immorality and complaining. Here are not “hard sins”, but rather temptations to follow the crowd–which God alone can get us through. Where is God leading them/us? Amid the chances and challenges of Life Today, we’re tempted to abandon our own faithfulness before seeing the way out which only God provides…

LUKE 13:1-9 talks about self-righteous anger: “Did you hear about our fellow Galileans that were assaulted by Herod?” Where is God’s Grace? Where is God’s steadfast love? Were these evil people who’re getting their just desserts? No, Jesus says; they were ordinary folks who just happened to be there. Even still, they were putting their best step forward, letting God do what God does best: redeeming not-yet-productive fig trees even if it takes a whole year. God provides, without money and without price.

Lent is always a roller-coaster. Aware of how grievous our sin is, we still celebrate a God who provides Goodness even in the midst of poverty of our souls. Come to God’s Banquet and be glad!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Please tell your friends to come join us in exploring the biblical texts which are scheduled to be read on the upcoming weekend; at horacebrownking.com

The song from the show that I remember says, “Where ya going?” “I don’t know.” “When will you get there?” “I ain’t certain; all that I know is I am on my way.” And aren’t we all on our way? Scripture lessons for this Second weekend in Lent are to remind us that we don’t know just where we’re going–but we do know that God goes with us! From the Wilderness to Jerusalem–or whatever the name of our Holy City.

GENESIS (the Book of Beginnings) 15:1-12 tells us the story of Abraham preparing to journey to the Promised Land. Like us, he’s full of questions, mostly about his yet-unborn descendants. Who’s gonna inherit this “Promised Land”? But yet he goes, trusting in the God who said, “Don’t be afraid”. What are the costs to Abraham? What are the costs to US? For what dare we hope?

Paul’s Letter to the PHILIPPIANS 3:17-4:1 compares those who follow Christ to the Rest of the System. “Their minds are set on earthly things.” There’s part of us which WANTS to question, which WANTS to be rational. Our community, our selves are engaged in the messy part of living, clinging to injustice, pride and all that goes with it. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior…” What do we expect? Dare we expect a Savior who gives us his own life to model?

Last week we found Jesus in the Wilderness; and this week we read that he’s on his way to Jerusalem! The intervening text will tell us of his healings, his miracles and his teachings about God’s Kingdom. Not even the threats could keep him from the site of the Temple, of government, of tradition. Just as the prophets before him, he wanted to lovingly protect the People, “How often have I desired to gather your people together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”, still forseeing the destruction and dispersal of the Jews. Were they too stubborn to accept God’s shelter? Are WE?

All of these–Abraham, Jesus and the Philippian community–are on their way with God. It’s to be pointed out that none of these knew exactly where this was, or where they were going. But they did leave every- thing behind, no easy job. Where are you going? Paint your wagon and come along!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

You’re invited every Tuesday to grab an advance look at Scriptures to be heard on the upcoming weekend–at horacebrownking.com…Tell your friends!

Vicki of Nashville has done it again. Try as I might, I can’t find any thread linking the lectionary-assigned readings. Can you? This is, of course, the first weekend in Lent, where believers look inward at their own foibles and simultaneously outward at what God is creating. We expect a roller-coaster ride of spirituality, both the rapid descent into the despair of the World System as reported in the news headlines, and the painfully slow ascent of the Mountain of God where we hope–know?–there will be a Peaceable Kingdom revealed.

DEUTERONOMY 26:1-11 outlines a formula for bringing and dedicating the first “fruit” of the land which God has given. The writer knows that over time people forget the agonies of Egypt and the long, hot sojourn in the desert. Here then is a pattern for acknowledging both the riches God has provided in the Promised Land and the way in which we all are accepted no matter where we’ve wandered. We–ancient Hebrews or contemporary Americans–are strongly reminded that goods and places are gifts of God, wherever the journey has led.

ROMANS 10:8b-13 brings us to an affirmation that “the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on [God]”. Through the life and proclamation of Christ, our faith is accessible to all, wherever they have been. “The Lenten season invites us to self-examination regarding the extent to which God’s generosity is written upon our hearts.” (Robert W. Prim, in FEASTING on the WORD, C 2:43) To which I would also add “God’s mercy”.

LUKE 4:1-11 is the tale of the Temptations of Jesus. We notice in this narrative (as opposed to that of Matthew) that Jesus was LED to the wilderness by the Spirit, evidently for further training in holiness. Here the devil (wait a moment–was this Satan, the Tempter, or the little devil which sits on our shoulders?) gave Jesus three possible scenes for his ministry. Henri Nouwen gives them current names: to be Relevant (“turn these stones to bread. Imagine how food deprivation would cease!”); Powerful (“if you worship me, all glory will be yours!”); and Spectacular (“throw yourself from the Temple and astound the people with your protection!”). To all of these, Jesus maintained that God continues to be generous and faithful. “We must be tested, often by being led to places of hunger and despair. Only then do we learn dependence on God, who graciously provides for all of our needs in all of life’s seasons.” (Jeffery L. Tribble, Sr.,ibid., p.44)

So maybe the thread here is the constant providence of God, who meets us in whatever desert we live with reminders of generosity and mercy. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Please pass this writing to your friends and join us every Tuesday for an exploration of scripture lessons expected to be heard on the upcoming weekend; at horacebrownking.com