As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Call to Worship:

If you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts. 

Psalm 95. 7-8

O Come. Let Us Worship. 

Gathering

Almighty God:
To you all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Trisagion

Holy God,
    holy and mighty,
    holy immortal one,
    have mercy upon us.

Collect for Today 

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.

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

Luke 13. 31-35

May the words of my lips and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord.  Amen.

A Pilgrimage with Through Lent: With a “Maternal” Jesus

    
Today, we get a glimpse of the humanity of Jesus as a figure, or representative like a mother.
    
I have always enjoyed Jesus’ response to the Pharisees when they come and warn Jesus of pending problems with Herod.
    
They come saying: “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”
    
Jesus’ response:
 “Go and tell that fox for me -------
Go 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……
    
And then these words: sort of like telling Herod, “Just go away because I’ve got work to do!”

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.' (Like a lament that Jesus has.)

"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!"

Having a farm background, this illustration from Jesus is so easy to relate to.

If you have ever watched a hen—knowing there is a storm brewing, or her and her clutch may be in danger; how she could gather her chicks and tuck them in around her, under her wings, sort of.

I can tell you—you do not want to disturb her! 

It is not unlike our own mothers.

If they ever thought their children were in danger, or they needed her protection, they were also there to guide and  protect them and to direct us. 
    
They would want us all gathered in under their protective wings or we might say, “under their apron strings.”

Recently, at the funeral for one of our former parishioners, I used the illustration of a mother’s apron.

Over the years there have been many and there are many “ODES” written describing your mother’s apron, and they are all about protection. They are all about caring.

They are all about loving.

Well, Jesus tells something of his work with this llustration.
 
Remembering we are with Jesus on this pilgrimage for Lent. Today, Jesus—knowing he must be on his way to Jerusalem, but he tells us he still has work to do.

There is a ministry that needs to continue. There is pastoral care that needs to happen.
And Jesus, therefore, continues to cast out demons, and to heal people. 

Knowing he has this work to accomplish before reaching Jerusalem, he refuses to let this threat from Herod deter him from his ministry.

Remembering who the Pharisees are, we ask the question: “Were they really worried about Jesus or were they simply part of the process—wanting to lay a trap?”

You see, they are aligned with Herod.

They are representative of the rich and famous and Jesus though, as wise as he is, he knows this. He knows that his work must not be interfered with. His work must not be interrupted. 

We know also from scripture that Jesus stands up to evil at every opportunity.

Now, where does this put us in our ministry today?

It is not rocket science!

Yet, avoiding the temptation to name illustrations from our current situation in the world, or here in North America, we, too, are living in a time of 'now while at the same time not yet'.

As Christians we know death has been defeated. What that new life at death will be like -- we have no idea. Besides, none of us has experienced it yet, it would be irresponsible, in some ways, for us  to suggest what it will be like.

And, so, we wait.

We wait for the fulfillment of God’s reign in eternity.

Between 'now and then', between 'now and not yet', we have work to do. 

We have work to do, not just because we are Christians, for we are created by God to care for all of his creation, as indicated in the Ten Commandments.

Therefore, in this ‘in-between time’, this 'between now and then’, this ‘not yet’, we are called to respond to those who are living in pain and suffering.

We are called to heal.

We are called to address the evil.

We are called to respond with whatever resources we have, or whatever manner we may be able to, in response to the evil of (the) oppression so many of our neighbours are experiencing. 

Our immediate response is often though, “Not me! Not I!"  Or “How can I make a difference?” Or-- we can always come up with a host of excuses and reasons.

If we go back in history, we have a great example from Abram.

You know the account of Abram and his lament of being poor and childless.

Just when Abram is about to give up, God intervenes.

God makes a big promise to Abram. God promises him many descendants. In fact, as many as the stars in the heavens.

Now, it does not happen immediately.

Abram and Sarah continue to wander in search of a homeland.

Eventually God does come through. 

Abram has continued in life trusting in the promise of God.

Eventually, Abram ends up with land, billions of descendants, and multitudes of animals and crops yielding in abundance.

Eventually, we too will arrive with Jesus in Jerusalem. 

I want to say, “Hang in there! Hang in there in this time of Lent—Hang in there in this time of uncertainty, a time of uncertainty in our daily lives.”

I could be referred to in some ways, as ‘news junkie.”

Except lately,  my interest in turning on the news has sort of waned—it’s kind of “do I want to turn it on again? Do  I want to hear the same repetitive jargon?”  

But then, in preparing for this week, I thought that this gentle reminder from Jesus—or maybe not such a gentle a reminder but rather a reminder that Jesus is saying to us, “Hang in there.”

We are reminded to stay with the ship, just as Jesus did.

Reminded God is at work with us. God is at work with us to determine evil and address it in all its forms—white supremacy, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and every other power that treads upon God’s beloved children.

Hold fast to those things that you know!

Hold fast to the lessons that you know are right!

Hold fast to those that we may not know yet, but remember, “Our God rose on the third day.”

Remember! He will raise you up, for He is the Bread of Life.

Amen.

Let Us Pray

Led by the Spirit, let us turn to God in prayer for the church, the world, and all in need.
(Silence)

We acknowledge our needs for reassurance and peace in our hearts and minds. We hope to find comfort and care through understanding and empathy. We aim to support one another, offering help and compassion to those facing challenges and burdens. 
God in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We recognize our vulnerabilities and seek ways to turn  our personal challenges, whether they are physical, emotional, or psychological, into strengths that benefit those around us.
God of mercy
hear our prayer. 

We endeavor to nurture our hearts with grace, aiming to show kindness and care to those who feel discontented or lacking purpose.
God of mercy
hear our prayer. 

Let us pray today for new leadership in our country and pray for peace in the world.
God of mercy
hear our prayer. 

Receive these our prayers, Gracious God, drawing all things together in your love, in the name of Jesus who leads us from death to life.  Amen.

And your people faithfully pray:

Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

Heavenly Father, Creator:
we thank you for the mystery of prayer, for the mystery of Your Word that continues to inspire generations as they will join you in your journey in this time of Lent.  May we all continue to be faithful in our walk with you. 

And may the God of glory, whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever.  Amen. 

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, and remain with you, always.  
Amen.