Justice and Kindness Lent 3 c 2022

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Focus readings : Isaiah 55:1-9, Luke 13:1-9</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #3598db;"><strong>Message summary </strong></span><br /> The picture of God in today's Gospel reading (Luke 13:6-9) could be a picture of a severe judge ready to cut down any tree that does not bear fruit and burn it in the fire. The parable is a call to repentance. To repent, literally means to turn around. Jesus is calling us all to turn from our selfish ways, and turn to God. The parable and the picuture of God it paints may not be as severe as we might first think.<br /> First, even though we may not bear fruit, God is offering us the opportunity to repent. Second, the tree is not cut down, it is given fertilizer and another chance. Third, this is not the first time the owner has come and seen no fruit. Time and time again, year after year, the tree has been spared. God's love and mercy is enormous and so while we are living, it is never too late to accept God's offer of a new life, a life turned round, and turned to God.<br />  <br /> <strong><span style="color: #3598db;">Questions for discussion or reflection.</span></strong><br /> Has your life been a fruitful one? Are the fruit of the Spirit growing in you? (Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.)<br /> What images of God do you relate to best the ones from Isaiah 55:1-9, or those from Luke 13:6-9?<br /> Do you need to accept God's offer of a new life, and turn (or be turned) to God?</p> <p>************ <span style="color: #3598db;"><strong>SERMON TEXT</strong></span> ************</p> <p>The conventional view of the New Testament is that it’s about God as love - Grace & kindness while the Old Testament about following rules, God as a severe Judge, & being Good.<br />  Today’s readings seem to stand these understandings on their heads. <br />  The Old Testament words we heard read were first heard in either exile or siege in a setting of hunger, hardship, and perhaps working