This week’s Reflections was written by the Rev. Larry Ort, retired Episcopal priest.

Lent is a time of waiting, preparing, and trusting in the Lord. The Revised Common Lectionary lessons for this Sunday have a lot to say about holding fast, standing firm, and waiting patiently on the Lord. Genesis 15 focuses on Abram’s waiting for years for God to fulfill God’s promise concerning Abram’s descendants. In mercy, God established a binding covenant with Abram, yet he was required to wait even longer before the promised birth of Isaac. Would we have had such patience?

In Psalm 27.18, we read, “O tarry and await the Lord’s pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; wait patiently for the Lord.” Let’s admit it, in this age of instant gratification, most find it difficult to await on God’s pleasure.

In Philippians 3, Paul encourages the Christians in Philippi (and by extension, us) to imitate him and others who are living a godly life. Paul warns that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ, always wanting more, and setting their minds on earthly things. In contrast, the Christian is a citizen of heaven, and from this perspective, the Christian awaits Christ’s coming. Paul concludes the reading with these words, “Therefore, . . . stand firm in the Lord . . ., my beloved.”

In Luke 13 we read of how some of the Pharisees warned Jesus that King Herod desired to kill him. Jesus advised them to deliver a rather pointed message, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.” Jesus then laments over Jerusalem, “the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!” Jesus then leaves us with images of longing and waiting: “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! . . . And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

During Lent, we can benefit from spending some quiet time praying the Psalms. C. S. Lewis said no other religious literature in the world depicts such an open and honest relationship with God.

The psalmist not only sings praises to God but also rails and curses. If we are honest, we can find and express our deepest joys and sorrows, and if open, we can be slowly transformed into the image of God.

Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Lent is a fitting time to contemplate how, like Abram and others who have gone before us, with our Lord Jesus Christ, we might hold fast, stand firm, and wait patiently. It is a fitting time to say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”