2025 has been an unpredictable Lenten season. The 40 days of Lent are traditionally filled with reflection, service and prayer. Normally I choose a Lenten discipline to follow in advance.This year Creator, on Sundays, followed the narrative lectionary. The readings uniquely addressed the national tumult we are experiencing. Together with what was happening during in the news during the week, these readings led to deeper reflections and prayers.
For years I followed routines and habits to make my living. Today making a life is different. Making a life is what the narrative lectionary readings were about this Sunday.
The blind man and Zacchaeus both "see" what the rich man in last week's story did not. Once again, that rich man's wealth was not the primary issue the rich man is facing. The rich are not being marginalized by those around them in life. Both the blind man and Zacchaeus in today's readings are being marginalized. Neither are respected, nor a part of,the described crowd. A crowd would normally allow a short man a view up in front of the crowd out of courtesy. The invitations to make either the blind man or Zacchaeus a part of their community are as hidden from the crowd as what Jesus is saying to them about his future.
When Jesus says "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today" it is an invitation that confuses who is host and who is guest. Jesus opened the door for Zacchaeus to “come down” from his old life, to stop participating in a corrupt system of gratitude that oppresses his own people.
Rome practiced gratitude as a quid pro quo hierarchy of political and economic obligation.There is an implied understanding that, for example, if you are invited to dinner you must invite me to dinner. Jesus defeats that quid pro quo from being an obligation.
Ash Wednesday started Lent off dramatically. That evening rattled me with the sobering thought of mortality. It shook me from a more or less comfortable perspective which routinely protects, insulates and isolates me. I might have ended up being a little more prepared to take on the impact of the dust and ash
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