Homily for the First Sunday in Lent

Texts:
Ezekiel 22:23-31;
Psalm 25:1-10;
Mark 7:1 – 8:21.

To read this passage online click this link to Biblegateway.com

To Walk with Jesus

They left their fishing boats,

Every hook, line, and net.

To walk with Jesus.

They didn’t know the way

But trusted that Jesus did.

Though they had some doubts.

Their teacher was tireless

Paused rarely to rest

but they slept hard.

And rose hungry.

Sourcing bread and fish,

For thousands of thousands.

Eating grain by the road.

Precious water carried far

For thirst but not for washing.

Drawing dismay

And damnation.

For dining with defiled hands.

But they walked on

Already cleansed in holy water

that sluices sin away.

So to walk with Jesus

Daily in new skins.

Filled with new wine.

In and out they went.

One land to another

Familiar and strange.

Across the sea

And back again.

Sometimes caught between.

Until Jesus came

With words of peace

For inner storms and gales.

To walk with Jesus

Is to go unshod.

Emptied of self and opened.

Two years on the road.

So little time to learn.

So much to forget.

God’s best ways are revered.

Instruction has its place.

Tradition bears wisdom.

Considering sacred numbers

Of twelves and sevens.

The calculation of God’s love.

Yet failing to understand

Stumbling with clouded eyes

Ears filled with insensible roaring.

Gives grace a chance to flourish.

Opens the way to humility

To practice confession and holy return.

They leaned into the promise.

Walk with me and you will be amazed.

And they always were. Amen.

Questions to Ponder

How do you walk with Jesus?

Where do you see evil?

What healing do you desire?

What abundance can you share?