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My favorite part of this year’s gospel of Luke is the long section of chapters 9-19. Scholars call it the Travel Narrative or Luke’s Great Insertion. In Mark and Matthew there is only a single chapter that bridges from the Great Galilean Ministry of Jesus to the final days. Jesus quickly moves to the Judean desert and then up to Jerusalem for the final conflicts, arrest, trials, and crucifixion. But in Luke it takes ten chapters for that Journey. Luke organizes the famous parables and speeches of Jesus around a theme of what it means to “take up your cross and follow” to Jerusalem. Today’s gospel is the introduction to that journey. “Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” What a powerful way to begin our Lenten pilgrimage to Good Friday and Easter!
The generation of the Children of Israel coming to the end of their wilderness wandering heard a similar call (today’s reading from Deuteronomy): “Choose life! Love the Lord your God. Obey & hold fast to God.”
Those on that journey of faithful obedience will be the truly blessed. Planted by streams of water, bringing forth fruit. May God bless us on this 40-day journey.
Prayer
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Jack Reiffer
Pathways Editor
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