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Lectionary for March 1, 2026
Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121;
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17
I used to run a small boutique tourism company, guiding tours for groups of two to four people in Morocco, Israel and Palestine. I made almost no money, but it was an absolute blast. To see peoples’ faces come alive when they saw places and met folks they had only dreamed of was worth all the hours of planning.
In The Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain famously averred that “travel is fatal to prejudice.” I’d go a step further and say that travel is, or at least can be, fatal to despair. Journeys can be difficult, to be sure. I’ve traveled internationally with kids, been turned back at borders and run out of money multiple times. But an accompanying God on an unknown path insists on hope coming along for the ride too. This week in the lectionary texts, we read of journeys of blessings.
In Genesis 12, Avram takes his second major journey. In the previous chapter, Avram and his wife, Sarai; his father, Terah; and his nephew, Lot, left Ur and traveled 600ish miles to Haran. After his father died there, Avram took his wife and nephew and made the rest of the journey to Shechem, about another 600 miles. Instead of following his father this time, Avram moved at God’s command.
In our reading, God issued a fourfold promise to Avram: 1) I will make you a great nation; 2) I will bless you and make your name great; 3) you shall be a blessing; and 4) I will make you a spiritual mirror (blessing those who bless you and cursing those who curse you). These certainly aren’t the only promises that God gave him, but they inspire the continuation of a journey. As Avram traveled from land to land and country to country, he was to receive a blessing, to be sure, but he was also to be a blessing.
As we continue reading, we see that this wasn’t the case in Egypt, Gerar and many other places. Avram/Abraham brought curses rather than blessings. But as God sent him out to wander and take refuge in various lands, his sojourn was to be a journey of blessing while he waited to be blessed with children.
Whatever journey you are on this year, God wants it to be one of blessing, of protection and of salvation.
The Psalm appointed for this week is one of my favorites. I’m so moved by the psalms of ascent. Imagine children of Israel streaming to Jerusalem year after year, regarding the mountains of the Judean foothills as their long, dangerous, international journey nears completion. It’s been a difficult journey—they are hungry and exhausted but almost there. As they look to the hills that mark the end of their pilgrimage, they remember that their help is not from high places but from the Lord, Godself. Amid this song of encouragement, they are also reminded six times that the Maker of Heaven and Earth will protect (shomer) them. During this journey, they are reminded (contrary to the assertion of other psalms like 6, 35, 44, 59) that God does not sleep or slumber, protecting them day and night on a journey or at home. Their pilgrimage is a journey of protection.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus told one of the many Pharisees who believed and followed him that he had come on a journey that was to be a blessing. Jesus described how he had descended from heaven as a journey of love. Indeed, God sent Jesus the Son from the divine throne room to the world to show love and grant the gift of eternal life. Jesus continues to insist that we need to understand that he journeyed to the world not to bring judgment but to bring salvation. Jesus’ incarnation is a journey of grace.
As we continue our Lenten journey toward the cross and empty tomb, maybe you can take a physical journey as well. Consider walking a prayer labyrinth. Take a trip to volunteer at a hospital, halfway house or prison. Move your body to serve and protect migrants and asylum-seekers who have been on their own journey. Or maybe book a pilgrimage with reputable tour guides (not me!) like our friends at Elias Travel. Whatever journey you are on this year, God wants it to be one of blessing, of protection and of salvation. Ve con Dios.
