On power and communion in love
Lent 1C | Luke 4:1-13
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday with an invitation: one that invites us to the observance of a holy season of fasting and discipline, of learning and preparation. During this time we are to focus more on scripture than we normally do. We are to pray more than we normally do. It is our annual reminder that there are things we need to do, acknowledging we all get a little lazy and could use the opportunity to buckle down a bit, right?
It also reminds us that our work isn’t “do more” as much as be more intentional with our focus. And two things this season is for historically: teaching and mercy. It is the season we prepare newcomers for baptism and the notorious sinners who are penitent to be restored to the community. And all of the people of the church need to adapt to the changing character of the community come Easter. Because it’s going to change whether we like it or not!
So, in that spirit, I’m going to use the sermon time during Lent for two purposes: a homily about the scripture like we normally do, but shorter — and a homily about the Eucharist — also shorter. So we will have both preaching and instruction here — and our common job is to prepare ourselves to adapt, right? To learn and embody the children of God we know we already are. . . .
The full text may be found here.
For a limited time, you may find the audio here.