March 16, 2025

Our Lectionary readings for this Sunday, the Second Sunday of Lent, are Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35.

The Gospel of Luke makes it clear that the ministry of Jesus and his disciples does not remain uncontested. Nikos Kazantzakis, who wrote "Zorba the Greek," also wrote about prayer in a world of challenges:

"My prayer is the report of a soldier to his general: This is what I did today, this is how I fought to save the entire battle in my own sector, these are the obstacles I found, this is how I plan to fight tomorrow. . . . My God and I are horsemen galloping in the burning sun or under drizzling rain. Pale, starving, but unsubdued, we ride and converse."

We will have our next OT study the second Sunday of April. Our focus will be on the time frame of Samuel and Saul and the demand by Israel for a king.