Luke 13:31-35

A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Lent

The Rev. Deacon Barbara Ambrose

Luke 13:31-35

By now many of us have settled into a devotional rhythm that is conducive to penitential contemplation setting the tone for a Holy Lent. For some this may mean giving up things – favorite foods or habits that we enjoy but can interfere with our ability to live fully into God’s intentions for our lives.  For others Lent is a time to explore new things that can enhance our spiritual practice and open us up for deeper relationship with God.  We may explore new devotional resources or engage in our regular practice with increased consistency.  At its finest observing a Holy Lent can be life-changing, especially if we carry the lessons we learn during Lent into the rest of the liturgical year.

As with most things that are good for us, potential hazards exist that can undermine our best intentions. We can become so “into” our devotions that they take precedence over some of the other things that need our attention.  Lent is a time to honestly reflect upon aspects of our nature that stand between us and a closer relationship with God.  When self-reflection morphs into obsession with our inevitable flaws, we risk becoming spiritually paralyzed, so convinced that we are unable or unworthy to do any good that we just stop trying.

Each year during Lent we are reminded that Jesus Christ is God’s son, sent to redeem the world, and that he is without sin. Two Sundays ago, we returned to that mountain top where Peter, John and James witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus and heard God’s voice telling them, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”  Last week we followed Jesus into the wilderness where the devil relentlessly tempted him for forty days to the point of fatigue and starvation.  Jesus boldly resisted the most alluring temptations till the devil left him.  Jesus has no personal failings to distract him from living into his call, but he is certainly aware of the dark nature of the very humanity he has come to save.

Today’s Gospel passage from Luke is filled with reminders of the evil that can inhabit the human heart. Throughout Luke’s Gospel the Pharisees try to undermine Jesus with provocative questions that become increasingly belligerent.  As Jesus continues to challenge the existing power structure and draws more and more followers, they become fiercely determined to put an end to Jesus and his entire movement.  Luke tells us “the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile toward him and to cross-examine him about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.”

The first hint of treachery we find in today’s brief encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees is the very fact that the Pharisees, who hold such deep animosity for him, seem to be trying to protect Jesus from Herod’s murderous intentions.  Jesus is not moved by their dubious concern, nor does he appear intimidated by Herod’s desire to kill him.  “That fox,” as Jesus dismissively refers to the king, has already beheaded his cousin, John the Baptist so the risk for Jesus is quite grave. Antagonism toward Jesus seems to run in the family as his father was the King Herod who ordered the slaughter of infants after Jesus was born.

Jesus understands his life is in danger from many corners and has already told his disciples twice that he will be put to death. The humanity that Jesus has come to redeem can be brutally wicked, and at every turn powerful people want to destroy him.  Most of us would likely give up in the face of such peril. Jesus’ response is remarkable, reminding us that we should remain faithful to God’s call to us regardless of challenges that may dissuade us from that path. 

Rather than heeding the Pharisees’ warning he declares, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow and on the third day I finish my work.”  No amount of treachery, danger or even frustration deters Jesus from doing the work he has come to do and will continue doing till the very end of his earthly ministry.  Rather than becoming overwhelmed by the brokenness of human nature, Jesus poignantly expresses his compassionate love for each of us like that of the mother hen, desiring to offer her brood safety in the shelter of her wings. 

This example can point us to a new element for our Lenten consideration – what can we learn from the relentless perseverance Jesus exhibits in the face of endless obstacles and dangers?  Consider for a moment that it is our fear of failure that often prevents us from fully living into what God is calling us to do.  Jesus has been attracting a huge following and performing all sorts of miracles, but his prospects look grim as powerful people plot his downfall.  Yet, he continues to do his work fearlessly and with good humor.  In his place I am sure that I would be at the point of despair and tempted to just give up, and I suspect I am not the only one here who would feel this way.  This realization suggested an idea I’d like to share for moving further into a Holy Lent.  In addition to the self-revelation that may occur as we engage in devotional practices, perhaps we can move from contemplation to action as we discern an area where we feel insecure about our ability or even fearful of the risk of engagement. 

An active Lent might entail taking a snack bag and giving it to the guy standing on the corner that you have thought about speaking to as you walked past each day but were unsure how to start a conversation.  Or you could accompany one of the Eucharistic ministers to a nursing home that you have considered visiting but were worried about what it would be like.  And of course you hang out with our laundry ministry one Wednesday afternoon.

There are endless possibilities, and what I am proposing is that you ponder what fear or insecurity might be holding you back from a ministry you feel called to consider but have hesitated to pursue.  Including active engagement in the world as a part of your Lenten discipline might even further deepen your relationship with God as you come to recognize his son in the faces of people you engage by simply overcoming the fear of that first step.