the church of the
ascension
in the city of
new york
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Second Sunday in Lent
by Denise Kelly
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5,13-17
John 3:1-17
In today’s Old Testament reading, the Lord tells Abram to leave his country, his kindred, and his father’s house, and go to the land that the Lord will show him and the Lord will bless Abram and his family forever.
Psalm 121 contains the text that I have sung so many times: “He watching over Israel slumbers not, nor sleeps.”
The longer I live, the more comfortable I am with letting go and trusting that God will watch over me, perhaps not in the ways I ask him to, but in the ways I need him to forgive and guide me.
The gospel reading further explains that I must be born of the spirit, listening to the word of God, so that I can be saved. That guarantee from God depends upon my faith in his promise, and I must believe without doubt or question. I trusted my parents to protect me as I grew up, and had faith that their judgment was based in love. I have faith that God will do the same.
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5,13-17
John 3:1-17
In today’s Old Testament reading, the Lord tells Abram to leave his country, his kindred, and his father’s house, and go to the land that the Lord will show him and the Lord will bless Abram and his family forever.
Psalm 121 contains the text that I have sung so many times: “He watching over Israel slumbers not, nor sleeps.”
The longer I live, the more comfortable I am with letting go and trusting that God will watch over me, perhaps not in the ways I ask him to, but in the ways I need him to forgive and guide me.
The gospel reading further explains that I must be born of the spirit, listening to the word of God, so that I can be saved. That guarantee from God depends upon my faith in his promise, and I must believe without doubt or question. I trusted my parents to protect me as I grew up, and had faith that their judgment was based in love. I have faith that God will do the same.
