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
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