Weekly Liturgy : March 10-16
- Monica
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
Updated: 20 hours ago
Luke 5:1-11
NRSV
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.’
REFLECTIONS
Thoughts from Monica:
Jesus remains non-anxious and calm in the face of danger. He takes time to heal before He must make His way to Jerusalem and the cross. He desires to gather, shield, and protect, like a mother hen, even in the face of the violence of the Fox. He seems neither surprised nor resistant to His fate but surrenders in Love and because of Love.
This love compels us. For some, the Church calendar invites us to take a 40ish day Lenten journey with Jesus toward Good Friday and Easter. It’s a time when we might ask some pretty good questions... What are you ‘giving up’ for Lent? How are we spending our time? How can I deepen my prayer life?
As we travel along the way of the cross and in our context, deeper questions undoubtedly arise. How do I respond to fear and uncertainty? Am I taking time to listen to others' needs and check in with my own motivations, even in the midst of challenges?
Jesus invites us to lean on Love rather than be ruled by fear—even in the face of uncertainty, conflict, and a tense political climate. Where is He calling us to do the same?
Creator God, possess our hearts. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Find a colleague or loved one who has seemed to be a bit stressed this week. Is there something you can do or say to help them remember that they matter?
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
When faced with a difficult situation or conversation this week, take some time to pause. Ask yourself, What do I actually see? What’s happening beneath my initial reaction? How might I respond in a way that reflects love instead of fear?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Asceticism (Loving God in simplicity and solitude):
Where in my life do I feel tangled in distractions, obligations, or excess? What is one small shift I can make to create more clarity and focus?
Questions for Reflection
Where in my life is Jesus patiently waiting for me to trust Him, rather than rush ahead in fear or anxiety? How can we create that kind of space in our context and relationships for others to experience peace, freedom, and Love?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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