Lent 2C (Luke 13:31-35)

Jerusalem is the heart of the Jewish people—geographically, historically, emotionally, and spiritually. In today’s Gospel, we see the Pharisees, publicly known to oppose Jesus, warning him about Herod’s plan to kill him. Their motives are unclear, but I suspect they aim to scare him off, hoping he will abandon his teaching and healing ministry. Jesus, however, does not retreat. Instead, he becomes provocative and combative, publicly calling Herod a “fox.” In doing so, he creates two enemies at once—religious authorities and political powers—setting the stage for the politically charged accusations and inevitable execution awaiting him in Jerusalem.

Yet, instead of approaching this story as mere bystanders, I invite us to engage with it as a practical guide for deepening our spiritual lives. Importantly, let us remember that our spiritual practice is not an escape from reality but a way to confront its cruelties with strength, courage, and hope—qualities born from a grounded and authentic spiritual life.

Let us focus on Jesus’ words and consider how they can serve as spiritual instruction:

"Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem."

The "today, tomorrow, and the third day" can be understood as a reference to the Easter Triduum—the sacred period from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. During this time, Jesus journeys to Jerusalem, the spiritual center of his time, to confront suffering and transform it. His mission involves casting out demons, performing cures, and ultimately fulfilling his work through his death and resurrection.

For us, this three-day journey can symbolize an inward spiritual process. Today, tomorrow, and the third day are not just chronological markers but steps in a transformative journey toward healing and renewal. We, too, are invited to cast out our inner demons, allow the Breath of God to heal our wounds, and journey to the very center of ourselves where transformation can begin.

This process doesn’t need to take three literal days. It is a metaphorical path, and I encourage you to explore it as a personal practice. What I share here is just a sketch, a map to a landscape. You must walk this path yourself to experience its reality. Just as hearing someone describe the movie Titanic cannot substitute for watching it yourself, this practice requires your own body, mind, and spirit to engage fully.

Day 1: Finding Stillness

Begin by finding a quiet place and assuming a comfortable posture. Sit with your back straight, your chin tilted slightly downward—this alignment helps ease tension in your shoulders and neck. Bring your attention to your breath. Are you breathing quickly or slowly, shallowly or deeply? Adjust your breath as needed. If you feel tired, breathe in a way that energizes you. If you feel tense, breathe in a way that relaxes you.

Focus on your breath. This is your anchor in the present moment, but it’s also the hardest part. When distractions arise—and they will—practice grace. Do not scold or judge yourself for being distracted. Instead, gently guide your attention back to the breath. Each return is an act of grace, not punishment.

Day 2: Confronting Inner Demons

With your body and mind settled in stillness, continue to focus on your breath. As you maintain this grounded presence, notice what arises. This is where the difficult work begins. Inner demons—memories, fears, guilt, or shame—may surface. Do not run from them. Instead, observe them with compassion, not judgment.

These demons often manifest as patterns of thought or feelings that keep us stuck in pain, anger, resentment, or despair. Acknowledge them, and name them if you can. In doing so, you’re distancing yourself from them. Remind yourself: you are not defined by pain, anger, resentment, or despair. Imagine these wounds as present but unable to consume you. You do not need to rid yourself of them but instead recognize them with grace. These wounds, or demons, may have once helped you survive difficult situations. Now, let the Breath of God pave a path between them and your gaze upon them.

Day 3: Journey to Resurrection

On the third day, after facing what needs to be confronted, you are invited to embrace renewal, resurrection. Imagine the center of your being, the "Jerusalem" within you, as a place of transformation. What needs to be resurrected in your life? What needs to be left behind in the tomb? These questions remind us to act and live skillfully.

Skillful living is about aligning ourselves with what brings true, enduring joy. The journey to resurrection is not about perfection but about movement—moving forward in hope, even while wounds are still healing. Carry the grace and courage you’ve cultivated into the days ahead, trusting that transformation is an ongoing process.

Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem was not just about fulfilling his mission but about showing us a path to spiritual transformation. His work—casting out demons, performing cures, and completing his mission—provides a model for our own lives. As we follow his example, let us confront the realities of life with courage and hope, trusting that through our spiritual practice, we can journey to the very center of ourselves and be made new.