Saturday in Lent 1

Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’ (Mark 2:27-28)

Then the J-dude said to them, "The church / creeds / canons were made for the people, and not the people for the church / creeds / canons; so check it out. I'm in charge here; not the church / creeds / canons." Then the crowd murmured, for they assured themselves that they knew what the church / creed / canons required but they had no idea what the J-dude might do.

Before they could challenge the Nazarene troublemaker, he fixed them with his gaze and said, "Yo, check it out. I am going to do a new thing. Lots of new things, in fact. Deal."

And the common people heard him gladly and said, "Word up."

But those who thought they had it all figured out were disconcerted and began to plot how they might destroy him.

The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. (Mark 3:6)

What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? (1 Corinthians 4:7)

All is gift. I can boast of nothing but God's goodness.

O God, by your Word you marvelously carry out the work of reconciliation: Grant that in our Lenten fast we may be devoted to you with all our hearts, and united with one another in prayer and holy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
--the BB