Category: Uncategorized

Welcome to my reflections on Jesus, the provocateur, which I began during Lent 2025. It hit me again just how provocative Jesus is as I read about his first hometown ‘sermon’ (Luke 4:16-30) in the context of his just having been tempted in the wilderness by Satan to satiation, power and immortality (Luke 4:1-12). Join me on this, my Lenten journey and beyond. – Brian

For forty days the Spirit led
  him in the wilderness
Where he ate nought as Satan spoke
  with haughty wiliness. 
Rebuking him, the Savior then
  began his ministry;
'Twas in the region of his birth --
  exposing bigotry --
He lifted up the foreigners
  the Scriptures lionize. 
And thus began the road he trod
  to open wide our eyes.

“And all they … when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.” — Luke 4: 28-29 (also see Luke 4: 1-27)

The kingdom of God, ripped from our hands,
Because we treated it as if t'were ours.
Instead of love and grace ruling our lands,
Anger and fearfulness turned our wine sour.

“Therefore I say unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given forth to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” – Matthew 21: 43

Out my window, I saw God;
It defined the course of my life.
I wonder how others likewise called
Have responded to that selfsame sight.

“If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” – Luke 16: 31

The big man exclaimed how great are his deeds
That transforms the earth upon which he feeds.
And meanwhile the poison of self exaltation
Stops the heart of a once noble nation.

“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” – Matthew 23: 11-12

The road to perfection 
is The intersection 
of mercy with charity 
that judges not.

And that intersection, 
upon close inspection, 
is really a T 
from which love flows out. 

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6: 36

Perfect is as perfect does
Says the Lord of Is and Was
But, perfection cannot be
Unless it lives eternally.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” – Matthew 5: 48