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Lent is a season for acknowledging our shortcomings, for meeting the little voices which tell us that it’s ok to deviate from the “straight & narrow”. Not only do we meet and identify them, we’re supposed to repent–turn it around–and get out of the wilderness. Readings for this first weekend tell the story of Sinfulness and the Voice of Evil which always seems present. You and I usually deal with the guy in the red union suit and pitchfork. but the presence of Evil is insideous: We almost never recognize it until it rears its ugly head. Again.

The reading from GENESIS 3:1-7 tells of God’s Perfection sullied by human wants. “Some have argued that the knowledge of ‘good & evil’ here is not a matter of ethical discernment. It is the desire to make OURSELVES the arbiters of good and evil, assuming for ourselves the role of God.” (Allen C. McWeen Jr., in FEASTING on the WORD, A 2:28) Now having developed ETHICS, humanity has also realized DEATH. The serpent lied when it told Eve that she would not die…

ROMANS 5:12-19 continues Paul’s presentation of Jesus being the Christ, God Himself. If so, then God has extended Grace for all despite our moral judgments of who’s in and who’s out.

MATTHEW 4:1-11 asks us “What’s YOUR famine?” Just when Jesus has been baptized and has seen the Holy Spirit, he finds hiimself in the wilderness for 40 days, more than you can count on your fingers and toes twice. Isn’t that the way? When we’re full of the Spirit, the famine and temptations are stronger? Jesus was tempted to be relevant: making bread for all the world from the stones; to be spectacular: jumping from the peak of the Temple, for all to see his divinity; to be powerful, to have all the kingdoms on earth affirm his leadership. (Henri Nouwen) Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? At least by our standards… Then Jesus got rid of the Voices of Evil–for a time–with his knowledge of Scripture.

So what voices (vices?) have you heard in your wilderness? They vary from you to me, but they still have bite. The Good News is that they can be answered by knowing God. Others have been here before, even the Lord. It’s tempting, isn’t it??

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Each Tuesday we explore scrioptures assigned to the upcoming weekend by the Revised Common Lectionary. C’mon along, and bring a friend! at horacebrownking.com

Most of us live our lives by looking for a Heavenly Sign that we should (or shouldn’t) do/buy something. This weekend of Transfiguration reminds us that these Signs happen all the time, usually when we don’t expect them. Signs of transfiguration acknowledge our dependence on God’s provisions: they can’t be rationalized into business-as-usual. The Season of Epiphany concludes with a roar, as Jesus is revealed to be truly God on Earth.

Moses was called up Mt. Sinai, the mountain of God. (EXODUS 24:12-18) He was there a LOOONNNG time (40 days & 40 nights, just like the Flood; twice what you can count on your fingers AND toes!) And when he finally came down, his face was aglow, so much that his leaders made him wear a veil because his face was so bright. Talking with God will do that to you. Was this a Heavenly Sign? You bet.

2 PETER 1:16-22 helps us to remember the mountaintop experience of Peter, James & John. “We had been eyewitnesses to his majesty”. Peter’s main thrust here is to lift up the brightness of this Heavenly Sign: “You will do well to be attentive to this as a lamp shining in a dark place…” Jesus is the one who will illumine our present-day deeds of mercy, worship and outreach. Here is a call to remember who we are and what we are expected to be. Been on any mountaintops lately?

MATTHEW 17:1-9 is the Transfiguration story: Jesus took his closest friends to witness to them the conversation with the Law and the Prophets. For one thing, it gave Jesus credibility for being on the Team. For another, it showed them that God has the power and desire to be involved with earth-folk; and they were never the same. There are so many messages here (Peter wanting to build a box for God, to keep him handy and out of our hair), but today we focus on the Voice from the Cloud which announces Jesus as God’s Son, just as God did at Jesus’ baptism. Seems to me that there also was a cloud which spoke when Moses went to speak with God… The Voice said to Peter & Company, “keep listening to him”, which extends that mountain to our own.

These readings leave us with more questions than answers: “How does this apply to me? Does my own face glow after worship? Do I pay enough attention to the Law and the Prophets?” When you least expect it, God’s Holiness breaks upon you. “Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings; It is the Lord who rises with healing in His wings: When comforts are declining He grants the soul again A period of clear shining to cheer it after rain.”

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come along and join the fun of talking about scriptures to be read on the upcoming weekend; at horacebrownking.com

Once, long ago, I lost my overcoat at a football game. A fellow I knew was insistent that I report it. He told me, “Nice guys finish last”. Do we? And does it matter?? (I got my coat back, by the way.) Texts for this Fifth Week of Epiphany remind us that ritual worship is meaningless unless it deals with the oppressed, the homeless and the stranger. They seem to offer Words for Godly Living, and would build our ethic in community with God and those whom God has created.

Some say that Third ISAIAH 1-12 is an indication of God’s anger. But I believe that the Prophet is speaking about the Good Life: “…If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, THEN your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.” A gap exists between those seeking God and the way they live. The more things change, the more they stay the same. “…as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness…” Fasting and other acts of worship are good…but they must involve us with the greater community of the world around us.

St. Paul was upset with the churches in Corinth, and it shows in I CORINTHIANS 2:1-13. If Christ Jesus is the Great Leveler, why have they stratified themselves into factions and polarities? Red states and Blue states? Didn’t Jesus himself say that we’re all in this together? The wisdom of Christ probably is the foolishness of the rest of the world. The good folks of Corinth were–alas!–seeking power; and Paul rightly knew that a person becomes tarnished when Power is an easy fix. I suppose that Nice Guys do run the risk of finishing last…

Which brings us to the Gospel, MATTHEW 5:13-20, which is a continuation of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. YOU are the Light of the World and the Salt of the Earth. How then shall I live? Each of us has to answer this question in a unique manner, for we’re all unique! This reminds me a lot of Jesus’ misunderstood sermon at Nazareth, where he read of the breaking of the yoke and the rod of oppression, and then identified himself with the Announcement of the Kingdom of Heaven. Is this the Light that Shines in the Darkness? In order to spread the light, the Believer has to go INTO that darkness…

Someone in our lectionary group suggested that perhaps pouring the Salt of the Earth on ICE would cause melting. After all, they did arrest a 5 year old immigrant terrorist. In the midst of the heartless headlines, I hope we can all sing “…this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

If the powers of evil don’t get us first, we’ll all be back next Tuesday to explore the readings set before us by the Revised Common Lectionary; at horacebrownking.com