Lent
March 17, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 13:31-35

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ 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. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” 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! 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.”’

Another mass shooting happened yesterday as I write. This time in New Zealand; this time at a Mosque; this time white supremacist claimed credit. I can envision Jesus sitting on a hillside looking down on our whole world and uttering the words:  How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

It struck me recently that the United States of American is now Egypt or Rome. Either will do as an example. They were both great empires that thrived and then failed because of their greed and lust for power. Egypt once welcomed the stranger, Joseph’s family, but later became their oppressor. Rome is known for its amazing building innovations, the idea of newspapers, caring for the welfare of its citizens, roads and highways, even the calendar we now use*. Yet it crumbled from corruption, too much emphasis on military might, and not enough on climate change and disease**. Sound familiar?

Jesus said in the scripture above, See, your house is left to you. We still have a choice in the United States of America. We can choose to turn around and seek the Common Good not only for our nation but for the world or we can join the ranks of our predecessors who could not overcome evil with good.

We have an advantage if we are willing to accept it. The vision of a Kingdom ruled by loved as seen through the eyes of the one who can save us, Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
reclothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise***. Amen.

*https://www.history.com/news/10-innovations-that-built-ancient-rome
**The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire by Kyle Harper
***First verse of Dear Lord and Father of Mankind  by John Greenleaf Whittier see at https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/dear-lord-and-father-of-mankind/
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.