Lectionary Links: Sunday, February 24, 2013

2nd Sunday in Lent
Year C: February 24, 2013
First Reading: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Curse in Reverse by Tom Coppinger
(Written for ages 5-9)
Comment: God blesses Abraham with the good news that he will not remain childless, but will in fact have as many descendants as there are stars. While Abraham believes this promise, he questions God’s giving of land. Daryl M. Trimiew suggests “too often we find divine generosity so overwhelming that we dispute it.” (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Volume 2, p 50) Sometimes, when our lives feel especially blessed, we might say we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop, as if a curse will inevitably follow a blessing. We see this nervous anticipation in the couple who receive a curse in reverse. They believe their baby is a blessing from God, and yet they nervously wait for the results of the witch’s curse. She must convince them that a curse in reverse is a blessing.
Second Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1
Me Too! by Jamie Harper
(Written for ages 5-9)
Comment: “Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.” Imitation is certainly not a new concept to children. While they love to imitate the people they admire, they often hate to be imitated. In Me Too, Grace is sick of her sister constantly trying to imitate her. Grace remains annoyed throughout the story until she realizes that she imitates her beloved swim coach. As the story ends, rather than escape her sister’s, “me too,” Grace decides to help her. Paul encourages us to practice imitation, that we might learn how to be followers of Christ through it. Wonder together with the children of your church about the ways we help one another to be imitators of Christ.
Gospel Reading: Luke 13:31-35
The Tale of Tricky Fox retold by Jim Aylesworth
(Written for ages 5-9)
Comment: In his response to the Pharisees, Jesus calls Herod a fox. Rodney Clapp suggests that in doing this, Jesus names the death-dealing of those who “want to see themselves as masters of the universe, invulnerable and imperial behind their relentless, foxy maneuvering.” (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Volume 2, p 72) Our wise teacher Jesus will not be fooled by their foxy mischief. The tale of Tricky Fox is the story of another wise teacher who isn’t fooled by the fox’s foxy maneuvering. Through the teacher’s wisdom, the fox is changed and gives up his tricky ways. In Jesus’ longing to gather the children of Jerusalem to him, we see that his desire is for them to give up their foxy ways, and recognize their own belonging in his brood.