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Luke 13:31-35:
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and 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. 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.’ 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! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”
During the season of Lent, we enter a time of sacrifice, a time of dedication, meditation and concentration on the Promises of God. We also enter a time of anxiety, confusion, and depression.
Our world is heavy with governmental disregard for the citizenry. Our food prices are high, job security is non-existent. Whole portions of our community are being erased by legal maneuvering. What rights and safety we fought to gain are being denied. Our communities seem fractured, directionless.
The weak Queer Community seems to be wandering through the wilderness of chaos. Those who love and stand with us as allies are no less anxious, fearful, or frustrated.
Where do we turn for shelter from the daily barrage of bad news? Where do we run to hide from the hatred and threats? Where do we find sanctuary, safety?
We can only look to Jesus to lead, guide, and shelter us in this barren wasteland of human cruelty. We believers, like the first century church, are suffering persecution from those who lead our governments-- punishment, and even imprisonment-- because we speak and live our truth. Deny the shelter that believers in the love of Christ are commanded to give.
Yet we lift up holy hands in praise to a Creator who has always always loved us.
As we look to God for relief from suffering, we do not yet cower in caves and catacombs because we do have a place of safety where we can run to, to find safety, love, and acceptance.
Jesus, we run to you.
As we journey through the Lenten season, we pause to take inventory of our own words and deeds. Have we been as committed to loving healing and embracing others as Jesus asked from us? In what ways do we offer sanctuary to the stranger? Are we running from our tormentors, or have we chosen to stay and fight on?
When the fearful ones came to warn Jesus to run from the corrupt government, seeking to do him harm, Jesus said: I will not not run!
He assured those listening that he would stand firm in his commitment to love, to heal, and to embrace those who are outcast and unwanted. "I have work to do," Jesus told them, and he promised to stay until the work was done. He let them know that he wants to be shelter, healing, and deliverance for generations to come.
As we mark these days of Lent, mindful of the troubles we are all, and all of our siblings face the world over, let us stand firm in our conviction. Ask God to help us to be sanctuary. Strengthen us to offer love, solace, family, and community. Let us be ready to offer the shelter of God's love.
Ashe, Aho, Amen. It is so.
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