Hello Grace Family!
Happy Spring!
I don’t know about any of you but while I enjoy cooler/cold temperatures, I am ready for spring weather and all the flowers blooming everywhere, whether in my garden or wildflowers popping up along the road. They just brighten my day and make me smile. They remind me that there is a newness that comes with the spring season. And I find it fascinating that the season of Lent begins while we are still in winter and ends with spring. There is something theological about moving from a time in our calendar that is marked by more darkness toward a time filled with light.
I think that marks our spiritual journey too. We begin in darkness as we learn about Jesus and the redemption offered through his suffering, death, and resurrection. The deeper we go in our relationship with Jesus the lighter we become. We shed the worries and cares of this world and hand them over as we take on the yoke of Jesus which is light and easy to carry. We heal from the trials and traumas of life as we recognize the most important action we can take is repentance. Which brings me to our scripture passage for this week, Luke 13:1-9. I encourage you to take some time to read it.
In the passage, Jesus is confronted by people asking him about the horrible death of some Galileans and how if they died in this awful way, they must have been worse sinners than all the other Galileans. Jesus cuts right through their bad theology and says No, not at all. But…and then Jesus shares what they must do, what is the most important thing: Repent, or they too will perish. While the people who were there were filled with judgment, Jesus tells them their own repentance is what they should be focused on. The primary issue is not judgment as that only deflects attention away from us doing the work of repentance. And, oh, by the way, living our lives in relationship with God is not linked to the hardships, sorrows or joys that may come into our lives.
The really good news is that like the gardener in the passage, God is merciful and patient as God gives us time and every opportunity to repent…just don’t take too long as time will eventually run out.
I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!
Peace,
Pastor Beth