As Mary anoints his feet, Jesus helps us become aware of what really matters in the present moment.

With prodigal grace, Jesus welcomes us all and reconciles us to God and to each other.

In the parable of the fig tree, Jesus walks us into a world where folks together till the soil of new creation, so that everyone can live and thrive.

With our thoughts on Ukraine, this morning’s psalm takes seriously the suffering of the world and gives it voice.  And, at the same time, the psalm holds that lament with hope – hope in a God who is our shelter and our strength.

Even in the wilderness, we are Full to the Brim with God’s overflowing grace.

The invitation of Ash Wednesday:  Even now, even now, return to me with all your heart – with all your broken pieces – with all you are.  And I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.  Your youth will see visions; your elders dream dreams.

How many layers must a camel shed to get through the eye of a needle? And what about us? Everything is possible with God.

At every threshold, God is present moving the whole world toward good – toward healing, toward forgiveness, toward belonging, toward love.

With blessing and woe, Jesus brings us into a world of mutuality, a level place, where we see each other face to face, and see and meet each other’s need.

At the Threshold of Forgiveness – by God’s grace, we stand in the life we have lived until now –  then we step through... into the life we find in Jesus Christ – we step into the new creation – into a world filled with love, possibility, and hope.