We celebrate Jesus' feast with his disciples, witnessing God's love in all forms. Love is at the heart of the meal we share this evening. We expand our love languages and care for each other as God's beloved community.

Jesus entered Jerusalem lowly and riding on a donkey, as the type of king who is righteous and victorious, fulfilling God’s promises, by way of humility over boastfulness, service over domination, peacefulness over war, forgiveness over vengeance.

Mary pours out her love for Jesus, alongside an expensive jar of (burial-approved) perfume. Her extravagant act of love embodies a faithful response to Christ's love for us and all who are held near, especially the marginalized.

Despite our mistakes or self-righteousness, we can always trust that by returning to our merciful God, Jesus will be there running up to us with arms wide open, pulling us into the warm embrace of God’s abundant love and mercy.

Attention-grabbing headlines and a parable overflowing with manure provide the backdrop for Jesus’ teaching rooted in divine mercy and judgment. Our response is simple: listen and repent.

As humans, it's not always easy keeping promises, but we have a God that keeps God's promises. We have the reassurance that Jesus will embrace us time and time again, longing to gather us all together, as a mother hen gathers her brood.

We enter the season of Lent as Jesus enters the wilderness to be tested by the Devil. There is nothing "standard" about this test, which reveals Jesus' commitment to God's will for our sake.

When we receive ashes on our foreheads, it helps us remember how precious our time on earth is and to be present with the people in our lives. Most importantly, the ashes remind us of the eternal life awaiting us through Jesus Christ.

Sometimes, like Peter, we want to build a dwelling or walls to fortify keeping things the way they are, but Jesus shows us that we must descend the mountain and be willing to transform and grow in our ministry and lives.

The Good News can feel like bad advice, such as Jesus' encouraging us to love our enemies and those who harm us. It doesn't get us ahead in the world, but it is an opportunity to witness the Kingdom of God in the meantime.