Scripture: Luke 13:31-35
As we continue our journey through Lent, I invite you to pause and ask yourself: Where do I see God’s presence in the midst of my uncertainties?
This season is often described as a time of wilderness—a time of letting go, of questioning, of waiting. But it is also a time of taking on—of embracing faith even in uncertainty, of choosing to step forward even when the path isn’t fully clear. This is what we mean when we say presence matters. It means showing up. It means making space for transformation.
This week, our lectionary leads us to a striking moment in Jesus’ ministry:
"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!" (Luke 13:34)
Jesus speaks these words not out of anger, but out of a deep, aching love. He longs to gather the people close, to shelter them in God’s embrace. And yet, they resist. They push away the very presence that seeks to hold them.
This passage reminds us that faith is not about certainty—it is about relationship. It is about trusting that even in our doubt, even in our wandering, God is still drawing near. Like Nicodemus last week, who came to Jesus in the night with his questions, we, too, are invited to bring our whole selves—questions, fears, struggles, and all—into God’s presence.
Lent is not just about giving things up. It is about taking on the practices that draw us closer to God.
Our Lenten Prayer
God of grace, meet us in our questions, our seeking, and our faith. Strengthen us to walk this road with courage, compassion, and hope. May we find You in the mystery and trust You in the journey. Amen.
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