A Curious Grace: Week 4 (Forgiveness)

Introduction

Our Lenten theme for 2025 is: A Curious Grace.  The grace, forgiveness, and way of life demonstrated by Jesus are curious things--so curious that even the most faithful Christians have trouble coming to terms with them.  This Lent, we are going to open ourselves to the curious nature of Christ's grace by asking some questions designed to help us dig deeper into what grace is, how it is reflected in our lives, and what that means for our interactions with God, one another, and the world.  May each week's reading, music selections, and questions help you become more receptive to the fullness of God's grace and more intentional in how you share the Good News of that grace with the world.

Scripture 

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!  So Jesus told them this story...

"A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found.

(NLT)

Option 1:

Imagine yourself as the younger son in the parable.  When did someone forgive you when you knew you didn't deserve it?

Option 2:

Imagine yourself as the older son.  Who do you have trouble with God forgiving? 

A Curious Grace: Week 3 (Repentance)

 

Introduction

Our Lenten theme for 2025 is: A Curious Grace.  The grace, forgiveness, and way of life demonstrated by Jesus are curious things--so curious that even the most faithful Christians have trouble coming to terms with them.  This Lent, we are going to open ourselves to the curious nature of Christ's grace by asking some questions designed to help us dig deeper into what grace is, how it is reflected in our lives, and what that means for our interactions with God, one another, and the world.  May each week's reading, music selections, and questions help you become more receptive to the fullness of God's grace and more intentional in how you share the Good News of that grace with the world.

Scripture 

Luke 13:1-5

At that very time there were some present who told Jesus[a] about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.”  (NRSVUE)

Option 1:

What needs turned around int the world?  

What needs turned around in you to help make that possible?

Option 2:

What needs turned around in the world?  

What needs turned around in you to help make that possible?

A Curious Grace: Week 2 (Christ the Hen)

 

Introduction

Our Lenten theme for 2025 is: A Curious Grace.  The grace, forgiveness, and way of life demonstrated by Jesus are curious things--so curious that even the most faithful Christians have trouble coming to terms with them.  This Lent, we are going to open ourselves to the curious nature of Christ's grace by asking some questions designed to help us dig deeper into what grace is, how it is reflected in our lives, and what that means for our interactions with God, one another, and the world.  May each week's reading, music selections, and questions help you become more receptive to the fullness of God's grace and more intentional in how you share the Good News of that grace with the world.

Scripture for Week 1

Luke 13:31-35

³¹ At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³² 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. ³³ 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.’ ³⁴ 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! ³⁵ 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.’ ”  (NRSVUE)

Option 1:

When has Jesus been like a mother hen to you--offering shelter and/or protection?

Option 2:

How might Jesus be calling you to shelter/protect others?

 

A Curious Grace: Week 1 (Curiousity)

 

Introduction

Our Lenten theme for 2025 is: A Curious Grace.  The grace, forgiveness, and way of life demonstrated by Jesus are curious things--so curious that even the most faithful Christians have trouble coming to terms with them.  This Lent, we are going to open ourselves to the curious nature of Christ's grace by asking some questions designed to help us dig deeper into what grace is, how it is reflected in our lives, and what that means for our interactions with God, one another, and the world.  May each week's reading, music selections, and questions help you become more receptive to the fullness of God's grace and more intentional in how you share the Good News of that grace with the world.

Scripture for Week 1

Isaiah 58: 16-19 

“Wash and make yourselves clean.
Put away the evil of your deeds
    from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil.
17 Learn to do good,
    seek justice, relieve the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
    plead for the widow.”

18 “Come now, let us reason together,”
    says Adonai.
“Though your sins be like scarlet,
    they will be as white as snow.
Though they be red like crimson,
    they will become like wool.
19 If you are willing and obey,
    you will eat the good of the land.
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
    you will be devoured with the sword.”
For the mouth of Adonai has spoken.

Option 1:

What is one thing in the Bible that makes you curious?

Option 2:

What is one thing in life that you would like God to help you reason out or guide you through?

A Curious Grace: Ash Wednesday

 

Introduction

Our Lenten theme for 2025 is: A Curious Grace.  The grace, forgiveness, and way of life demonstrated by Jesus are curious things--so curious that even the most faithful Christians have trouble coming to terms with them.  This Lent, we are going to open ourselves to the curious nature of Christ's grace by asking some questions designed to help us dig deeper into what grace is, how it is reflected in our lives, and what that means for our interactions with God, one another, and the world.  May each week's reading, music selections, and questions help you become more receptive to the fullness of God's grace and more intentional in how you share the Good News of that grace with the world.

Scripture for Ash Wednesday

Isaiah 58: 1- 11 

“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.
    Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israel of their sins!
2     Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
    and seem delighted to learn all about me.
They act like a righteous nation
    that would never abandon the laws of its God.
They ask me to take action on their behalf,
    pretending they want to be near me.
3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
    ‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
    and you don’t even notice it!’

“I will tell you why!” I respond.
    “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast,
    you keep oppressing your workers.
4 What good is fasting
    when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
    will never get you anywhere with me.
5 You humble yourselves
    by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
    like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
    and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
    Do you really think this will please the Lord?

6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
    lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
    and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
    and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
    and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
    and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
    and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
    ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
    Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
    and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
    and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
    giving you water when you are dry
    and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like an ever-flowing spring.   (New Living Translation)

Option 1:

What "ashes" would Christ have you rise from and repent of in order to be created anew?

Option 2:

What Lenten "fast" do you feel called to make this year?  Is it one that God would deem acceptable?