Most folks have heard the Kristofferson lyrics through the lips of Janis Joplin.  There is likely some truth to the saying.  I do recall a member of Church of the Advocate saying one day, "I am not home-less, I am home-free."  There are days when the stress of mortgages, home ownership and other financial realities allow me to understand from where he is coming. 

     I also recall the words of a friend, Tousey Wilson,  as he reflected on times of financial struggles.  He was not enamored by romantic notions of poverty as they are often put forth by those who 'have'.

     "No one takes my life, I lay it down," states Jesus in the Gospel of John.  Lent is about learning to lay things down; about learning to lose things in an intentional way.  Anxiety is produced in me when I dwell on what I think I do not have, what I think I may not be or what I am afraid of losing.  Freedom comes from the discipline of learning to lose those anxieties, learning to lay them down.

     "If you are the Son of God,  then..." states Satan as he begins his temptations of Jesus.  It is a sucker question designed to get him thinking about what comes after the 'then' and not thinking about the 'If".  The real question is the opening clause, 'if you are...'  Jesus does not get suckered in; he does not accept the opening clause and thus the rest is not worth debating. Life is not about him making the world work for him, it is about fidelity of relationship with God, himself and others. 

     So as we begin this walk to Jerusalem, this walk where Jesus will chose to lay down his life, may we consider what teaches us to live in fidelity; fidelity to ourselves, God and every person around us.  May we see where anxiety tempts us to focus on the wrong stuff and instead work on our focus for the right stuff- relationships.

Peace,

Todd Donatelli