The Third Week in Lent
Devotion Guide for the Week of Thursday, March 20, 2025
Imagine Worship Theme: "Under Love's Wings" (Touch)
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.'"
Meditation by Michael Waterson
Jesus is busy. I guess that’s to be expected when you are perfect God on imperfect Earth. Jesus is so busy that he brushes off reports of his imminent peril with little more than a scoff (and some sass?). He’s checked his Google calendar, and – Listen! – it is FULL for the next three days. Casting out demons, curing diseases – this is what’s important, not some people-proclaimed head of state. Of much greater concern is Jerusalem, that magnificent mess of a city that just cannot, will not, get over itself. Prophets who tell the truth don’t stand a chance there. Jesus won’t stand a chance there.
But what of it? Jesus has a divine mission, and even though it will lead Him right back into the heart of that prophet-killing machine, nothing can stop Him. So He soldiers on, busy being Son of God and mother hen. Healer of bent backs and broken hearts. Teacher of hard truths and bringer of the best Good News.
And what of you? What are you busy doing? Filling the hours of this precious life with distraction and seeking what cannot satisfy – or with healing wounds and casting out evil?
And what of us? Will our cities continue to fight against their best interests, running roughshod over others to fulfill the desire of self? Or can we find a way to bring the Kingdom that Jesus is so busy trying to expose into full, clear reality? A Kingdom as uplifting as yeast in a batch of dough and mysterious as seeds turning into shade. A Kingdom that can be present here and now in this weary, terrifying, beautiful world.
Questions for Reflection
- If you took stock of what filled your time, what would you find yourself busy with?
- What would a Lenten calendar tuned toward Jesus look like?
- This Lent, how will you make your communities more like the Kingdom of God?
Practice
This week, notice the ways you spend your time, especially any free time you may have. Is there space for a spiritual practice to slip in to your schedule? Perhaps you can pray after waking up and before going to bed. Maybe you want to read a chapter of the Bible in the afternoon. Or maybe you feel a tug to give sacrificially of your time, talent, or treasure to those who need your gift. Whatever you decide to introduce this week, keep it small—for now. The Kingdom of Heaven begins as a tiny mustard seed in one of Jesus’ parables, remember. If God chooses to work in this way to build God’s Kin-dom, we can rest in the wisdom of God’s ways as we follow our Creator’s example.
Prayer
Jesus,
Mother Hen,
Teacher of Hard Truths,
Help us, we pray.
Heal our wayward hearts, which try to find rest in anything but that which will ease our wearied souls.
Tend to our wounded souls, which balk at accepting your Good News call to turn away from death and turn towards your Life.
Break our warped systems, with which we destroy your good creative work in ourselves, in our world, and in our neighbors.
Holy Jesus,
Our Prophet, Priest, and only King,
Help us, we pray.
Amen.
Visio Divina Week 3
Mosaic art at Dominus Flevit Church in Jerusalem
