Beauty of the Cross, First Sunday of the Lenten Season

"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it." Mark 8: 34-35

God calls us in our lives to take a risk, to be like the woman in the gospel who reaches out to Jesus for healing.

Perhaps, this passage of scripture, is not so much about good soil as it is about a good sower. This risk-taking sower is undeterred by rocks, hard worn paths, and weeds.

There is difference between being part of the crowd and being a follower of Jesus. Following Jesus involves personal risk and commitment. It seems that the message is that the Reign of God requires a bit of risky business.

Jesus knows this is risky work, to proclaim a message of love and justice, to cast out the demons that possess the world is risky business. Might it be that the reign of God requires a bit of risky business.

Simeon and Anna, are a model for us and our experience of the gospel.