Consider the Word, March 10, 2022 First Sunday of Lent

 
Consider the Word, March 10, 2022
First Sunday of Lent
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for March 13:

• Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
• Psalm 27
• Philippians 3:17-4:1
• Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36
  

 
Collect

Almighty God,

whose Son was revealed in majesty

before he suffered death upon the cross,

give us faith to perceive his glory,

that being strengthened by his grace

we may be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: Luke 13:31-35

At that very hour 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.'"

 
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."

Reflection Questions

1. Abram has two encounters with the divine. At first, there’s a promise of a child. Now, Abram challenges the divine for certainty. Why is this reading parred in the lectionary with the Gospel, and do the two texts shed light on each other?
2. How have we recognized God’s messages and rule, and how can we continue to do so?

 
Closing Prayer

Hope beyond all human hope,

you promised descendants as numerous as the stars

to old Abraham and barren Sarah.

You promise light and salvation

in the midst of darkness and despair,

and promise redemption to a world that will not listen.

Gather us to yourself in tenderness,

open our ears to listen to your word,

and teach us to live faithfully

as people confident of the fulfillment of your promises.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 
The Message: Luke 13:31-35

³¹ Just then some Pharisees came up and said, “Run for your life! Herod’s got your number. He’s out to kill you!”

^32-35 Jesus said, “Tell that fox that I’ve no time for him right now. Today and tomorrow I’m busy clearing out the demons and healing the sick; the third day I’m wrapping things up. Besides, it’s not proper for a prophet to come to a bad end outside Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killer of prophets,

    abuser of the messengers of God!

How often I’ve longed to gather your children,

    gather your children like a hen,

Her brood safe under her wings—

    but you refused and turned away!

And now it’s too late: You won’t see me again

    until the day you say,

        ‘Blessed is he

        who comes in

        the name of God.’”

 
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson