ON THE WAY. Journey with Jesus to the cross. Lent and Easter with the Gospel of Luke beginning on March 2

From March 2 (Ash Wednesday) through to Easter Sunday, daily devotions from the middle section of Luke's Gospel will be posted here.  Join me and prayerfully journey with Jesus to the cross and beyond.
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The middle section of Luke is cast as a journey to Jerusalem and the cross.  It begins as Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (9:51) and ends with his arrival in Jerusalem (19:41).  The journey is more figurative than actual, with few geographical references until Jesus nears Jerusalem.  Periodically Luke makes vague place references such as “a certain place,” or “on the way.”  There is no logical order to Jesus' journey.  It’s like the way personal journeys go—back and forth, up and down, almost there but then pulled away.  We’re invited to enter the journey and experience being with Jesus.  On the way Jesus gives teaching about the way, that is, the way to be a true and faithful follower of Jesus.  The journey image is appropriate since we too are on the way to becoming all we’re meant to be in Christ.  We are always in the making with the capacity to learn and grow in new ways.
 
These Lent devotions focus on this journey to Jerusalem.  The section is packed with Jesus’ teaching, much of which is unique to Luke.  We begin with a traditional Lent passage, the temptation of Jesus,  Jesus’ warning of his death and resurrection and the call to discipleship and then we join Jesus on the figurative, yet real journey.  The Lenten journey ends with stories of Jesus in Jerusalem before his arrest.  This brings us to Holy Week concluding with Luke’s account of his resurrection.
 
Join me on the way this Lent and let Luke’s story help you see more clearly the way of Jesus that we’re called to walk, bit by bit, day by day.
 
The format for these devotions is based in the ancient practice of lectio divina, that encourages prayerful reflection on Scripture.  The focus is on listening for the Spirit’s lead and being open to receive the unexpected rather than forcing Scripture to give us what we want.  Each devotion has six stages beginning with space to prepare to listen in stillness and silence, concluding with a prayer from the Psalter.  2nd, prayerfully read the prescribed passage, slowly and deliberately, savoring every word.  3rd, prayerfully wonder as you read the meditation provided; 4th prayerfully reflect using the suggested question as a guide; 5th respond to Jesus in prayer, either using the one written or write your own.  Finally, live obediently, a reminder that we’re to be doers and not merely hearers of the word.  Follow these stages if you find them helpful.
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