“Opening to Life”
March 15, 2025
Dear Families of Grace Members, Neighbors & Early Learning Center Families,
When was the last time you went to bed thankful and amazed by what the day had given you, something you had not planned or foreseen? Maybe it was a conversation, a chance to meet someone new, a moment of hope, beauty, truth or insight that changed you, an experience when you felt really alive. I am asking about more than being energized and enthused. I am asking about welcoming an expectancy, an attitude of wonder, an openness to “come what may.”
That openness to life is the call of Jesus in each of our lives and what the gospel is about. Jesus puts it this way: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10), This is why “Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). It’s why there are so many stories of Jesus healing the blind and deaf. He is opening eyes and ears to the promise, to the future, to the coming of life and life abundant. It’s why, so many times, he tells us to stay awake, to be watchful, and to not fall asleep. He’s telling us to keep “open” to our future, to our coming life.
That’s what Jerusalem in tomorrow’s gospel from Luke 13:31-35 has failed to do. Jerusalem has killed the prophets, the ones who were calling it into a future. It has stoned those sent to bring it life and more life. Jerusalem here is a metaphor for the ways in which we are blind and deaf to the promise, the ways in which we do not keep “open” to our future. “How often have I desired to gather your children together like a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Jesus says of Jerusalem (Luke 13:34).
Sometimes you and I are Jerusalem. Sometimes we are blind and deaf to the promise, closed to the future. It happens when life is on auto-pilot and we are just going through the motions. It happens when we hold grudges and resentments, withhold forgiveness, or refuse to accept forgiveness from another. It what’s going on when we circle the wagons, draw lines in the sand, deny hospitality and refuse to welcome another. When this happens, we settle for “mere life” rather than “more life.”
But, more life is waiting for us when we re-open, when we are ready and willing to say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” The question becomes, what needs to happen to reopen again our eyes, ears, or heart, to change? That re-opening of our hearts to God won’t change what is coming, but it can change us. This is not the way we usually live, but that’s the point. That’s the risk God is asking us to take – to open our hearts to accepting the gifts Jesus wants to offer us when we begin life by celebrating, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” today and every day.
As we being opening our hearts, celebrating the blessings Jesus wants to offer us each day, consider accepting this invitation to “come home to Grace Church” this Lenten season and be part of this congregation that is filled with prayer, fun, laughter, and the love of Jesus! Experience the presence of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament. All come at Jesus’ invitation – young and old, the assured and the doubting, the wise and the foolish, and the in-between. All are welcome here! Come to the Feast!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Grace Lutheran Church
254 Curtiss Parkway
The Reverend David O. Guss, Ph.D.
Miami Springs FL 33166
Pastor – Grace Lutheran Church
305-888-2871
