Homily, Under Christ’s Wings
Second Sunday in Lent, 2025
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Plant City, FL
The Rev. Derek M Larson, TSSF
Today’s Lectionary Readings:
In the name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
The other day I was reading my book and when I got to the end of the page I realized I hadn’t retained anything of what I read. So I started over. But half way down the page my mind had drifted again. So I started over and found myself reading the same paragraph over and over and over again. My mind was elsewhere. I was worrying about something. Playing the possibilities over again in my head. Considering what might happen. Fearing what might come.
Maybe you’ve been there before.
Walking through the grocery store and you can’t remember what you need because you’re thinking about that important doctor’s appointment tomorrow. Or sitting at your desk and forgetting what you’re working on because you’re replaying in your mind the hurtful conversation with your brother from the other day. Or having a conversation with a friend when you realize you have no idea what they just said! You were thinking about that financial situation you’re in, and whether or not you’ll be able to pay the mortgage.
When we’re worried about something, it consumes us. We find that it’s hard to focus on anything else. The worry has set up shop in our minds and pushed everything else to background. And while we wish the world would just give us a break, it just keeps spinning with all the normal things we have to do waiting for us, like it has no knowledge of what’s going on in our lives.
How do you get by, when you have something to worry about?
What strikes me about our gospel passage this morning, is that Jesus has something to worry about, and yet he keeps going, firm in his mission, solid in his work.
Some pharisees come to Jesus and tell him, “You better get out of here. King Herod is out to get you. He wants to take your life.” Now when we hear this story, it’s easy to gloss over the moment. But put yourself in Jesus’ shoes. A king. Wants to take. Your life.
Now I’m sure you’ve had a lot of things to worry about in life. Perhaps you’ve even worried about how long you have to live. But can you imagine what it must have felt like to have that hanging over your head? I wouldn’t be able to get through that page of my book, and I’d forget my whole grocery list, and I wouldn’t get anything done at work. I don’t know how I’d function if I knew someone was out to get me like that.
But what does Jesus say?
“I’ve got stuff to do today, and I’ve got stuff tomorrow, and the king is just gonna have to wait.”
Beside the pure boldness of Jesus’ words, I’m amazed at how grounded he is in his purpose—in his mission—with something as big as that in his life to worry about.
How do you get by, when you have something like that to worry about?
And then seemingly in answer to our question, Jesus replies, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.” We could switch out the word Jerusalem with our own names. “Derek, Derek, how often I desired to bring you to me as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.”
The reason Jesus can walk so firmly in his day to day purpose with something as big as life and death to worry about, is because he has taken shelter under the loving arms of God. The Scriptures tell us over and over again that while Jesus continues his ministry, he often sought out places to be alone and to pray. Resting in his father who cares for him. And now he offers the same to those of Jerusalem weighed down by their own worries and fears, trying to go it alone, while he stands there aside, arms outstretched, ready to welcome them.
When you rest in God, knowing that God is all you need, then even the greatest worries in life become less burdensome. They don’t always go away. But they feel different.
Do you remember as a child being worried about something? What happened to your worry when your mom and your dad or grandma or grandpa or sibling picked you and held you in their arms? Perhaps not even saying a word, but just wrapping their arms around you? Do you remember what that felt like? What it did to the worry that consumed you inside?
How I long to cover you with my wings, Jesus says, like a mother hen with her brood. How I long to help you carry the things you are worried about. And to bring you comfort when the world is dangerous and uncertain. How I long for you.
How do you get by, when you have something to worry about?
You find solace and strength in resting in the arms of a God who loves you, and will never leave you to walk the path alone. Bring your worries to God the Mother Hen, she will get you through it. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
- What worries or fears have been consuming my thoughts recently, and how have they impacted my daily life?
- In what ways can I intentionally seek out moments of solitude and prayer to connect with God when I am feeling overwhelmed?
- How can I remind myself to rely on God’s love and support during challenging times, similar to a child feeling comforted in a parent’s embrace?
- What steps can I take to shift my focus from my worries to the mission and purpose that God has for my life?
- How can I be a source of comfort and support to others who may be navigating their own worries and fears?
Thoughts on Faith 