Sermon - 3-13-22

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As I have been watching what is happening in Ukraine, my heart feels ripped apart. Watching such massive suffering, misery and grief ruthlessly and needlessly imposed upon the people of that country, is heart wrenching.  The Ukrainian people are so</span> <strong>vulnerable</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">as Russian forces invade and destroy their lives. However, in that vulnerability, they are showing exemplary courage. </span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">Their example reminds me of the words of social scientist, and research professor, Brene Brown, when she writes, “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.” What the Ukrainians are experiencing is horrific and, as they</span> <strong>vulnerably</strong> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">defend their nation while professing the truth of their identity and the fact that they want to be a democracy, they are showing remarkable courage and strength.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vulnerability, truth, and courage are characteristics we find in our readings for today. In fact, we discover these are facets of God’s very being. Today, we are given deeper insight into a God who so deeply loves this world that God intentionally makes God’s very self</span> <strong>vulnerable</strong><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In our first reading, Abram is afraid that he will die without an heir.  God has promised him a multitude of descendants as well as ownership of an extensive amount of land.  However, Abram is getting old, and he has not yet received these things.  It is as though he has reached an impasse. No child has been born from his marriage to Sarah, and he has not received the land that was promised. So, God establishes a covenant with Abram by using an ancient covenantal rite or ritual that seems very bizarre to us. God instructs Abram to gather these animals, kill them a