Two of the readings for today include excerpts from the Book of Psalms and the Matthew’s Gospel that foretell of distress. Jesus, for the third time, talks with the disciples about the ultimate betrayal and death that awaits him in Jerusalem.

It’s interesting to follow Jesus’s travel to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is inland, as opposed to Tel Aviv and Haifa, which are ports on the Mediterranean Sea. He is coming from Galilee in the north to Judea—and ultimately Jerusalem. In hindsight, maybe we wish he hadn’t traveled to Jerusalem where he knew that he was going to die. But he had to, nonetheless.

During this Lenten season we consider our own lives while we celebrate the life and mourn the death of Jesus, the alpha and the omega. We make adjustments in our daily routines so that we better follow the teachings of Jesus. We pray to God for guidance: “Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me in thy loving-kindness.” (Psalm 31:16)

Donna Welles

Appointed readings for today: Jeremiah 18:1-11, 18-20, Psalm 31:9-16, Matthew 20:17-28