Recall to Gain Redemption
Genesis 37: 1-11
Psalm 41, 44, 52
1 Cor. 1:1-19
Mark 1:1-13
Currently there is an e-mail floating around that God has issued a recall notice “regardless of make or year due to a serious defect of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype unit, code name Adam and Eve . . .”
Biblical narrative reveals a lot about human beings – our infinite possibilities, our staggering warts, our emotions and our responses to our environment. In today’s Genesis text, jealousies, anger and rage in Joseph’s family interactions are on display. Paul admonishes the Church at Corinth for their vacuous and inconsequential arguments over who was baptized by him and who was not and urges them to focus on the power of God’s love for them. In Mark’s Gospel Jesus hears God’s voice after baptism, but is immediately driven into the wilderness of the world, where the community of angels gives him cover from the demons. These same angels reside with us. The poetry of today’s Psalms embraces a range of human emotions.
The e-mail concludes “The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.” In this Lenten period we are encouraged to “occupy” ourselves examining our behaviors and interactions blooming in this current toxic spring.
The Collect for Today:
Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully increase in us your gifts of holy discipline, in almsgiving, prayer, and fasting; that our lives may be directed to the fulfilling of your most gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
