God our Father, help us to hear your Son. Enlighten us with your word, that we may find the way to your glory. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever. Amen.
Luke 13:31-35
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." 32 He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, "Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.' "
God must think…America, America, how often have I desired to gather you under my wing, but you (we) are not willing. You (we) are not willing to give up the spot light. You (we) are not willing enter into conversation. You (we) are so convinced that you (we) are right, true and proper - demanding allegiance and dispensing justice. Our culture extols the virtue of trusting in God and lifts up God’s word, but how are we doing with Jesus’ injunction to love our enemy?
Jesus' use of feminine imagery for God may be more important now than when it was first used. In a society which glories power and violence - We need to think. Think before we act. We may need to examine our own attitudes and understanding of God. Jesus suggests that both male and female attributes may be attributed to God. We continue our Lenten journey by acknowledging our need for repentance and asking for God’s mercy. We are created to experience joy in communion with God, to love one another, and to live in harmony with creation. But our sinful rebellion separates us from God, our neighbors and creation, so that we do not enjoy the life our creator intended.
Let us continue our Lenten discipline - self examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love, strengthened by the gifts of word and sacrament.
Loving God, take my hand and lead me out of the shadows of my fear. Help me to change my heart. Bring me to your truth and help me to respond to your generous love. Let me recognize the fullness of your love which will fill my life. Amen
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