Second Sunday of Lent
…
the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision … “Look toward heaven and count
the stars, if you are able to count them … So shall your descendants be.”
Genesis
15:1b, 5b
After
these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be
afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." But
Abram said, "O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless,
and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said,
"You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be
my heir." But the word of the Lord came to him, "This man shall not
be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir." He
brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if
you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your
descendants be." And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him
as righteousness.
Then he said to him, "I am the Lord who brought you from Ur
of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess." But he said, "O
Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" He said to him,
"Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram
three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." He brought him all
these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did
not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses,
Abram drove them away.
As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a
deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
When
the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch
passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram,
saying, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to
the great river, the river Euphrates….”
Genesis
15:1-12, 17-18
Snowstorm
of Stars
These stars make up the globular cluster Messier 79,
located about 40,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Lepus (The
Hare). Globular clusters are gravitationally bound groupings of up to one
million stars. It contains about 150 000 stars. Astronomer-photographers: S.
Djorgovski (Caltech) and F. Ferraro (University of Bologna).
2017
Photograph
https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20250314638066538&code=ACT&RC=56825&Row=8
You cannot reason someone out of a position
they did not reason themselves into.
~
Jonathan Swift
If you can’t be
curious across divides in a polarized world,
you can’t see the
world at all.
~ Mónica Guzmán
Rotary
Peace Committee meeting at Starbucks
The Yoshioka’s BIG move!
Bunk
beds?
Ah,
yes. Ray gets to sleep on top.
Several
of our Rotary members attended Purim service at Beth Evergreen.
Perhaps during the
Lenten season we should stop praying for others as if we were virtuous enough
to do so. Perhaps we should take off our righteous robes just long enough
during these 40 days to put ashes on our own heads, to come before God with a
new humility that is willing to confess, “Lord, be merciful to me, a
sinner." Maybe we should be willing to prostrate ourselves before
God and plead, “Lord, in my hand no price I bring; simply to the cross I
cling.” That might put us in a position to hear God in ways that we have
not heard Him before. And, it may be the beginning of a healing for which
we have so longed.
March 16, 2025 - First Sunday of Lent- Year C
Previous
OPQs may be found at:
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 outside of 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.'"
Luke 13:31-35
Luke 13: 31-35
Agnus
Day, by James Wetzstein
Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org
Brothers
and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the
example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have
often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is
destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their
minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is
from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will
transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of
his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to
himself.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I
love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my
beloved.
Philippians 3:17–4:1
Agnus
Day, by James Wetzstein
Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org
"Love it, thanks. Reminds me of the Celtic
notion of "thin places," where the boundary between this
earthly phenomenal plane and the spiritual noumenal plane is so thin a
conscious, aware person can actually see through and thus connect with the
collective soul."
~ Mark Vickstrom
TOBAR PHÁDRAIC
...Turn sideways into the light as they say
the old ones
did and disappear into the originality
of it all. Be impatient with explanations
and discipline the mind not to begin
questions it cannot answer. Walk the green road
above the bay and the low glinting fields
toward the evening sun. Let that Atlantic
gleam be ahead of you and the gray light
of the bay below you,
until you catch, down on your left,
the break in the wall,
for just above in the shadow
you’ll find it hidden, a curved arm
of rock holding the water close to the mountain,
a just-lit surface smoothing a scattering of coins,
and in the niche above, notes to the dead
and supplications for those who still live.
Now you are alone with the transfiguration
and ask no healing for your own
but look down as if looking through time,
as if through a rent veil from the other
side of the question you’ve refused to ask,
and remember how as a child
your arms could rise and your palms
turn out to bless the world.
~ David Whyte
(River Flow)
LECTIONARY
Luke 13:31–35 or Luke 9:28–36
https://connectionsmediaworks.com/sundaygospel.html#march16b
Genesis
15:1-12, 17-18
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a
vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be
very great." But Abram said, "O Lord God, what will you give me, for
I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"
And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my
house is to be my heir." But the word of the Lord came to him, "This
man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your
heir." He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count
the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So
shall your descendants be." And he believed the Lord; and the Lord
reckoned it to him as righteousness.
Then he said to him, "I am the Lord who brought you from Ur
of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess." But he said, "O
Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" He said to him,
"Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram
three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." He brought him all
these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did
not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses,
Abram drove them away.
As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a
deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot
and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a
covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I give this land, from
the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates...."
Psalm
27
God is my light
and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
God is the stronghold
of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh —
my adversaries and foes —
they shall stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp
against me,
my heart shall not fear.
Though war rise up
against me,
yet I will be confident.
One thing I asked of God,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of God
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of God,
and to inquire in God's temple.
For God will hide me
in God's shelter
in the day of trouble;
God will conceal me
under the cover of God's tent;
God will set me high
on a rock.
Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies
all around me,
and I will offer in God's tent
sacrifices
with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody
to God.
Hear, O God,
when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me
and answer me!
"Come," my heart says,
"seek God's face!"
Your face, O God,
do I seek.
Do not hide your face
from me.
Do not turn your servant away
in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off,
do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
If my father and mother forsake me,
God will take me up.
Teach me your way,
O God,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
Do not give me up
to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen
against me,
and they are breathing out
violence.
I believe that I shall see
the goodness of God
in the land of the living.
Wait for God;
be strong,
let your heart take courage;
wait for God!
Philippians
3:17–4:1
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those
who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of
the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even
with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory
is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship
is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord
Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be
conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make
all things subject to himself.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my
joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
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 outside of 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.'"
Old Testament
Genesis
15:1-12,17-18
The word of the Lord came to Abram in
a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very
great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God,
what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is
Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a
slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the Lord came to him,
“This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your
heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the
stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your
descendants be.” And he believed the Lord;
and the Lord reckoned
it to him as righteousness.
Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who
brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” But he
said, “O Lord God,
how am I to know that I shall possess it?” He said to him, “Bring me a heifer
three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a
turtledove, and a young pigeon.” He brought him all these and cut them in two,
laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.
And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a
deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot
and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant
with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of
Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”
The Psalm
Psalm
27
Dominus illuminatio
1 The Lord is
my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? *
the Lord is
the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
2
When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *
it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who
stumbled and fell.
3
Though an army should encamp against me, *
yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4
And though war should rise up against me, *
yet will I put my trust in him.
5
One thing have I asked of the Lord;
one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all
the days of my life;
6
To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *
and to seek him in his temple.
7
For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe
in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
8
Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
9
Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
10
Hearken to my voice, O Lord,
when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
11
You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *
Your face, Lord,
will I seek.
12
Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13
You have been my helper;
cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14
Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
the Lord will
sustain me.
15
Show me your way, O Lord;
*
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16
Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
17
What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the Lord *
in the land of the living!
18
O tarry and await the Lord's
pleasure;
be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *
wait patiently for the Lord.
The Epistle
Philippians
3:17-4:1
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me,
and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many
live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now
I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly;
and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But
our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that
it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables
him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters,
whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way,
my beloved.
The Gospel
Luke
13:31-35
Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus,
"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 outside of 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.'"