Whose World Is It?

As we journey through this Lenten season, we find ourselves walking alongside Jesus, witnessing the profound depth of his teachings and the sacrifices inherent in discipleship. In yesterday’s lessons from Mark’s gospel, Jesus uses with the parable of the vineyard owner and the tenants and an encounter with the Pharisees regarding taxes to show us the way of discipleship. These passages reveal a weighty responsibility placed upon us as followers of Jesus.

Shared Suffering

On Wednesday, we gathered again for mid-week evening prayer and to listen to another saint and martyr of the church as together we considered the cost of discipleship.  This week we encountered the profound reflections of Sister Teresa Benedicta.  She was born Jewish but converted to Catholicism, eventually becoming a Carmelite nun.   Her life as a devout Christian did not spare her from the horrors of the holocaust, and she was killed at Auschwitz in 1942.

Transforming Love

This past Wednesday we began our Lent Wednesday worship series, “Considering the Cost.” Each week the writings of a contemporary saint and martyr of the church are being shared. To start things off, we reflected on a powerful message delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a Lenten sermon. As we listened in, we were reminded of the profound truth that love transcends all boundaries and obstacles. In his stirring sermon, Dr. King illuminated the transformative power of love, urging us to embrace Jesus’ command to love our enemies.

Adding It All Up

In the bustling streets of Jerusalem, a rich young ruler approached Jesus, seeking the secret to eternal life. His earnest inquiry revealed a hunger for something deeper, something beyond the material wealth that adorned his life. Jesus, looking upon him with love, offered a radical challenge: “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Distracted by Greatness

In the marketplace of life, the question of who matters most often clamors for our attention. It’s a question that echoes through the ages, resonating even in the hearts of the disciples who walked alongside Jesus two millennia ago. Mark’s Gospel captures this timeless debate, illuminating the distractions that clouded their minds.