Sylvia Alloway, Granada Hills, CA
Warm-up Question
Is it ever permissible for citizens to disobey their country’s laws? If so, when and why?
Right to Serve
It started in Canada. They called it the Freedom Convoy. Truckers driving in a convoy (a line of trucks all traveling in the same direction) began a noisy, horn-honking, but originally peaceful protest against the government’s requirement of COVID vaccinations for workers.
As time went on the protests became increasingly disruptive: truck blockades in Ottawa, Ontario preventing people from getting to work; obstruction of the main border crossing into the U.S. interrupting deliveries of goods; protestors placing their own children between themselves and the police. Finally, Canadian president Justin Trudeau, for the first time in Canadian history, declared the enforcement of emergency laws that give the government extended powers in a national crisis.
Other countries joined in. Paris police broke up protests on the city’s famous central thoroughfare the Champs-Élysées with tear gas. Officials in Wellington, New Zealand, tried to discourage protestors by playing the music of Barry Manilow. Demonstrators countered with Twisted Sister song “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
The protestors claim the right not to obey government rules they consider oppressive. But do people have the right to endanger others who want to be protected from disease or disrupt the lives of ordinary citizens to publicize what is probably a lost cause? According to an article on the political website Vox (meaning “voice”), the majority of Canadians say “no.” The protestors, says the article, are a raucous minority, upset because they have lost the anti-vax battle.
Have these protests been put down completely? Will these difficult examples discourage others from staging legitimate protests? Only time will tell.
Discussion Questions
- Can you think of a time when peaceful protests were successful, that is, brought about positive changes? What happened? Why were the protests successful?
- Would you ever join a protest? If so, what cause would you be supporting?
First Sunday in Lent
(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)
For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.
Gospel Reflection
The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus “has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Well, of course, we might think. He was God. How hard can it be for God to resist temptation? But look carefully at the Gospel passage.
First, Jesus has been fasting for 40 days. His body is weak and desperately hungry. Second, he has been led by the Holy Spirit, who so gloriously filled him at his baptism, into the desolate wilderness. During all this time, he has no human company, no outside comfort or help. And then Satan shows up.
So, what does Jesus do? Does he suddenly surround himself with blinding light and literally tell the Devil to go to hell? No, he uses only the resources we have: the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Cool,” thinks Satan, “This is going to be a piece of cake. Let’s start with hunger, the greatest human need. Turn the stones to bread. You have the right to a little comfort. Go ahead! Do it!”
Jesus responds, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
“Okay, how about this. See all those kingdoms down there? Why settle for tiny little Israel? Worship me, and the right to rule it all will be yours!
“It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
Satan is nearly at the end of his rope. “Hmmm. ‘It is written…’ Aha! If he can quote scripture, so can I! Hey, Jesus, do you really think this whole humility thing is going to get anybody’s attention? You need to show off who you really are. Jump off the temple roof! After all it is written…”
“Do not put the Lord your God to the test!”
And that’s it. Satan could not get Jesus to claim his rights as God or use his heavenly power for himself. Jesus wins, not by claiming his rights, but by humbling himself, limiting himself, completely identifying with human beings.
Americans consider our rights sacred and so they are. But following the example of our Lord Jesus is more sacred yet. The day may come when you will have to give up some of your rights, as Jesus did, to serve others. Ask him to help you practice humility now, and you will have the same strength he had when the time comes.
Discussion Questions
- Have you ever felt that someone was taking away your rights? How did you feel? What do you think Jesus would have done in that situation?
- List of some of the rights young people think are important. Imagine a situation where you might have to give up some of those rights. Which right or rights might that be? Why would you need to lay them aside?
- With rights come responsibilities. What responsibilities do Christians have to others around them? Are they different from those of other citizens?
Activity Suggestions
- Make a list of humble acts of service for the group, then help each other to carry them out. For example, collect food to donate to a food bank, help to clean the church, share the skills of your group’s members with others.
- Collect positive stories, preferably by listening to real people tell their experiences of standing up for others’ rights or helping people work together. Post the stories on social media.
Closing Prayer
Almighty God, how can we thank and praise you enough for sending your Son to be one of us? Setting aside his power and privilege, he lived as a humble servant, and died a criminal’s death, to save unworthy sinners. We give thanks that though he is risen and exalted in heaven, he is yet with us through the Holy Spirit, who gives us power to resist sin. Keep us ever humble, ever willing to serve, and ever devoted to our Lord and Savior. In his blessed name we pray. Amen.
