Part of this morning's readings, Leviticus 25, includes the 'Year of Jubilee'--a concept humanity has never really been able to fully embrace. This idea sets up for the human race a way of sharing God's abundance so that no one party ever possesses so much that another is left without enough. This reveals God's plan that we are to live communally---we are to see one another as connected to us----we are to recognize that we are responsible for one another's wellness and wholeness.
In Mark 12 this morning, I hear our struggle to recognize that everything we have is God's---that all comes from God. This is such an obstacle for us. We have been trained and formed to believe that if we work at something or for something---our labor makes it solely our own and we are justified to completely retain for ourselves whatever fruits come from our work. Here is where Mark 12 and Leviticus 25 can speak to one another. How might we understand the Year of Jubilee when we consider the fruits of our own labor? How might we begin to recognize that we are stewards of God's vineyards and not the owner? We have been granted these gifts so that we might sow and reap in order to be fed, yes, but also to feed others. To feed others physically, spiritually, mentally.....in food, in mercy, in compassion, and whatever else might be needed for shalom---peace---wholeness. This Lent, let us consider how we might live the "Year of Jubilee" out in our own lives.
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