THE BIBLE – DISCOVERY YEAR 07 – WITH LUKE’S GOSPEL 
COMMENT FOR LENT 5 --- 25-03-07 
Isaiah 43: 16-21 
In this passage we find the Hebrew remnant forced to work in Babylon in mid sixth century BCE.  Imagine their humiliation.  Isaiah’s message, however, is that because the Creator of Israel is with them they can expect something so new that even the wild animals of the desert will let them pass.  They are still being formed according to the divine image. 
Psalm 126 
The joy of this psalm, especially the first three verses could reflect the mood of some exiles returning home. That first return came after the forces of Cyrus, King of Persia, defeated the Chaldeans in 539 BCE.  The next three verses then becomes a prayer for good harvests as the process of rebuilding their lives goes on.  They feel the strength of God in the large event and in their day to day lives. 
Philippians 3: 4b – 14 
Paul describes his former life as that of a patriot prepared to defend his religion and race.  Then he discovered the spiritual life in Christ. He found there were depths within his own life and his consciousness of God that connected him with all people, making human distinctions void.  He pleads with us with us to live the spiritual life- a new dimension in being human. 
John 12: 1-8 
In this story Jesus accepts a beautiful tribute during a farewell meal with his friends.  He is threatened with arrest which worries his disciples but does not affect his spiritual calm even when Judas makes a bigger mistake.  The mystery of the divine, creative act to be revealed was the next step in a God consciousness at the heart of life’s experiences.
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