03-01-26

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 1, 2026
When I originally wrote my heading for today’s Etching, I wrote February 29th. I believe it was an unconscious attempt at holding on to February. I sure wasn’t ready to see the month of March arrive. When I lived in Nebraska and Indiana, we couldn’t wait until March came. Winter was hard, but especially when the cold, gloom, and piles of snow didn’t budge, even through March. We felt a little stir-crazy, and our bodies yearned for some Vitamin D from the sun. It’s interesting how our geographic setting impacts our mood and the desire to see time move quickly. Oh, I’m sure there are plenty of Texas students who are excited to see March come and have already counted the number of days until summer break. This has me thinking about how different we might feel about time, from one person to another. Someone might feel as if time is dragging and another person feels like it is moving way too quickly. Are we dreading something? Are we looking forward to something? Is the good weather making it easier to get moving in the morning, or is the lack of sunshine causing us to feel lethargic? Jesus had a whole different approach to time. Or maybe it was less linear for him as he announced the Kingdom of Heaven being at hand or among us. The Kingdom of Heaven had always been understood as a future event, yet Jesus seemed to suggest that the future was present through him, and what was yearned for by so many could, in fact, be experienced in the now. It was as if the fullness of time was revealed in a tangible way in the life of Jesus. Of course, the in-breaking of the Kingdom of Heaven might not be good news for many who don’t appreciate some of its values, such as unconditional love, unending mercy, true justice, and inclusion for all. So once again, I think how people relate to time, including God’s time, is somewhat dependent on a number of factors. Yet in the end, I believe God’s Kin(g)dom will win despite those who are not very excited to see it arrive.

In faith, Holy God of Heaven, I can glimpse Kin(g)dom moments through Jesus and those who are seeking to follow in his ways. Help me to be a bridge between what is and what could be. Amen.