THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Jesus, Son of Man

He called himself Son of Man.

The most common name Jesus used for himself is for me the most vague. Early in Mark’s account Jesus uses the title Son of Man in reference to himself. He would call himself by that name as he disputed with the Pharisees over his authority. He would later use it as he described how he would suffer. What he meant however was not crystal clear. Like many of the stories Mark tells about Jesus it is up to the hearer with “ears to hear” to determine what is truth. Jesus’ ministry is for those who seek, who ponder, who are willing to risk believing.

Those of his time who heard the term may have been reminded of the dreams of Daniel. “One like a son of man” was to come and to have everlasting dominion over all the earth. As the years had passed Daniel’s visions had become a source of hope for Jews oppressed by the power of Rome. Perhaps Jesus was the one expected to come and judge the peoples according to God’s holy law. Others may have heard the term simply as it is—Jesus was a typical human being, a son of man. Both ideas probably resonated with those who walked with him and both perhaps have meaning for us if we but listen.

In both cases his authority is on earth rather than in heaven. How would we recognize him today? He could be a charismatic leader, one who challenges authority be it religious or political. Or we could see him as a prophet bringing words of coming vindication for the oppressed. Maybe we will see him as God’s messenger of end times. Or perhaps we will know him as an ordinary citizen with an extraordinary message of redemption and freedom.

How will you know the Son of Man?

Jesus, Son of Man let me see your face. Let me hear your call. Let me know your path. Amen.

SATURDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Jesus can be Our Teacher

And they addressed him as Rabbi, Teacher

Let this woman prompt you to imagine an amazingly different teacher. Let go of as many limits as you can. Ask Jesus.




What sort of teacher is Rabbi Jesus?

What is this Rabbi teaching you, us, now?

How do we teach for him?

Rabbi Jesus, let me hear your voice. Give me the discipline to know you. Give me the courage to reflect you. Give me the love to see you in all I meet. Amen.

FRIDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Jesus taught by Meeting People where they Were

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments…” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Mark 10: 17-22

This is one of those passages most of us hold our breath over, waiting for some word or phrase that will let us off the hook. Finding none, we start looking for escape clauses in our own lives. “I’m not really rich.” True, compared to some, I’m not. And yet false. Compared to most of the world, I’m unbelievably wealthy. “I’m happy to give, so long as it doesn’t push me to make a noticeable shift in the lifestyle to which I’m accustomed.” “I have a lot of stuff, but I still put God first.” Or we make it society’s problem: “The issue of wealth and poverty is a systemic giant. Any change or sacrifice I make won’t really matter.”

But maybe we just need to let Jesus’ charge upset us. It certainly upset the rich man. I’ve always wondered, though, if we underestimate him. All we know is that he was grieved by what Jesus said, because he had a lot of stuff. But was his grief over having to say “No” to the tough thing Jesus asked of him? OR was it over having to say “Goodbye” to all the stuff he would soon be giving away?

Explore this passage with someone you trust. Wrestle and pray over it. Think about what it means within your own life to need, to want, and to have enough. What are you to learn?

Loving God, so many things seem impossible for me. But not for you; all things are possible for you. I am trying to be a faithful disciple, but some of the things Jesus asks of me are tough. Please strengthen me to keep going when I want to look for an easier path. And help me to live simply. This I ask in Jesus’ name.

THURSDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Jesus asks us to Listen

Jesus said: “…For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” Mark 4: 22-23

How well do you listen? Do you truly hear?

Close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you. What do you hear? Are they noises and distractions or pleasant music to your ears? Were you aware of the sounds before you closed your eyes? Sit in silence for five minutes or so listening to creation all around you.
Now open your eyes and ponder what you have heard.

Think of a conversation you had recently or be aware of one you are having. How do you listen to the other person? Do you hear each word as new? Do you assume you know what they will say? Do you plan your response before the other finishes talking? Does your mind wander to other ideas while you are listening? Be aware of the whole person to whom you are talking. What are they saying beyond the words? Be aware of your own body. What is it telling you, your dialogue partner?
Ponder—did you have “ears to hear"?

Be aware of your prayer time. Is it a dialogue, a monologue? How do you listen to God? How do you expect to hear?
How does Jesus teach us to hear God?



Jesus, teach me to listen. Give me ears to hear. Silence my noise, my insistent chatter, my controlling words. Let me hear your redeeming voice. Amen.

WEDNESDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Jesus Taught by His Actions

A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and [the disciples] woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4: 37-41

Once upon a time, a young seminary student was anxious and frenzied: A loved one at college far away was being hounded by a classmate of hers who was mentally unbalanced. Although he communicated regularly with her via long distance in those pre-cellphone days, it was becoming more than he could bear to hear of her difficulties. Waves of helplessness, frustration, fear, and anger swept over him.

One of his friends sensed the emotional upheaval and asked what was bothering him. The student’s stormy responses included despair over an inability to do anything for her, exasperation over the distance of separation between the two of them and finally, questions about why he was in seminary in the first place.

“Let’s go for a walk,” said his friend. Non-judgmental questions, comments, and quiet conversation continued on the streets for two hours. After returning to the dorm, they hugged one another in tears. It was the first time that the young student had hugged a man other than a member of the family.

“Who do you trust?” asked his friend.
“You…and Steve, Val, and Jack.” responded the young man.
“Not good enough,” said the friend, “just not good enough.”
And it suddenly dawned on the seminarian what his friend meant. Who is it that even the winds and sea obey?

“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Rabbi, teach me to trust in that which truly protects. Amen.

TUESDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Jesus Taught in Parables

[Jesus] began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” And he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”
Mark 4: 2-9

Jesus taught in parables. A parable is a metaphor with a moral or religious message. Jesus spoke on more than one level. Then, as now, language has a surface structure and a deep structure. The surface structure is what gets said and communicates a social meaning. The deep structure is everything else, including what’s left out. It holds the psychological and the spiritual meanings of the experience.


Jesus’ story has a surface structure and a deep structure. On the surface, it’s just a story about everyday, common knowledge. The disciples knew this story was about more than planting seeds, they just didn’t know exactly what else Jesus meant. The rabbi was planting a different kind of seed in both the followers and the disciples. He wove a simple story with deeper meaning.
Jesus overlaid God’s message onto the current, local scene. Two thousand years later, how might this parable be told? Perhaps it would be about a salesperson with a special product and different types of customers. It could be about a math teacher who taught more than arithmetic, or a computer programmer with a revolutionary program.


Rewrite this parable to fit today’s local scene.


Holy God, open our ears to understanding so that we may turn and be forgiven. Amen.

MONDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Jesus Taught with Authority













"Tools of teaching and witnessing" collage of ads and articles
…when the Sabbath came, [Jesus] entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark 1: 21-22

Use the collage to awaken your memories of times of learning. Think of the variety of experiences of teaching. Remember the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Who are our teachers today? How do they teach? How do you determine those who teach with authority?

How do you respond to the different teachers?

God of all peoples, God of all ages, God who sent Jesus to reveal yourself to us, let us hear your voice of authority, let us know your words of wisdom, let us follow your direction. Hide not yourself from us; astound us again with your love; save us from our blindness and selfishness. Bring your kingdom. Amen.