Grace and peace to you on the 1st Sunday in Lent as we have completed 4 days of our Lenten journey. We are celebrating, at least in a subdued manner, the change of season at church; the new plants, the new flowers, and the buds on the trees. This year’s journey is one that holds a lot of possibility and potential for seeing God with new eyes and in a new community. We had a return guest, one who joined us for Ash Wednesday and we give thanks for their presence. We are torn by the war/invasion of Ukraine and all the difficulties being experienced in that region. Pray for the cessation of active hostilities and restoration of meaningful dialog.
In worship we began with the recitation of the 10 Commandments along with the collect reminding us that the journey of Lent is one which is led and guided by the active participation of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit’s assistance, we will find a less meaningful experience in our journey. Our lesson from Hebrew Scripture came from Deuteronomy and was the institution of the gift of the first fruits by the Israelites when they arrived in the promised land. Their gift was to be in recognition of God’s presence with them in their journey. Our Psalmist sang the song which reminds us that those who dwell with God will find refuge in the storm (not the removal of the storm). Our reminder that God’s promise is stronger than our fear. The letter to the Romans tells us that those who confess Jesus as Lord (not only with their lips but their lives) will find themselves in the kingdom. And their confession will free them for God’s service. Our gospel reading was Luke’s account of Jesus’ 40-day journey in the wilderness and his temptation by the devil.
Our sermon today was focused on the promises offered in all these readings. No matter how hard the journey is, when we get to the place we have been promised by God, we will find comfort and solitude. The journey is the reward – while on the journey we are invited to “go light,” pray to and listen for God, and expect to be changed in the journey.
I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 12-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
Video of worship: https://youtu.be/OBrQAXdpz7M
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