Earth Care Devotion for Fourth Sunday in Lent

Fourth Sunday in Lent March 19, 2023 By Susan Gilbert Zencka   1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 This particular week has a number of interesting themes—I want to focus on seeing and not-seeing, in 1 Samuel.  Samuel has been led by God to visit the household of Jesse to anoint a new king.  And so during his visit, he meets the sons of Jesse.  And as they pass by, Samuel recognizes that some are strong or handsome or for whatever reason, look like good king candidates.  But God says again and again, “No, that is not the one.”  Finally, Samuel has met all the sons who are present, and he asks Jesse, “Is that all?”  And Jesse responds something like, “Well, there is the little guy, the youngest.  He’s out with the sheep.”  The little guy.  The one that Jesse hasn’t thought to even bring in to introduce to Samuel, and yet the little guy turns out to be David, who becomes the greatest king of Israel (despite his significant flaws), the one with a heart after God’s own heart.    So often, we overlook the little things.  The people, places, or critters we deem unimportant.  But sometimes these little ones are incredibly important.  That’s true of insects.  We have finally grown to understand the importance of bees and butterflies, but there are thousands of species of insects that are vital to the eco-system.  And one important contribution that we can each make to the health of God’s creation is to plant flowers, shrubs, and trees that are native to our own areas, because it turns out that insects are picky.  By providing these plants that sustain insects, we help create habitats that support birds and small mammals as well, and help with the pollination cycle of life.    The Rev. Dr. Susan Gilbert Zencka lives in Allentown, PA with her husband and their dogs.  Over the last year they have planted 400 native flowers, 10 shrubs, and 5 trees as they try to create a bio-diverse ecohabitat for their insect, bird, and animal neighbors in their city yard.      Please consider promoting the PEC devotions in your church and consider using them in sermon preparation and teaching lectionary Bible groups. The Lenten Devotional was made possible by the volunteers contributing their devotions as well as financial donations that covered the cost of recruiting contributors, editing, laying out, web posting and promotion online, by email and social media.  Your donation towards our work is needed and appreciated.  You can give online through our secure website presbyearthcare.org/giving or by mail to PEC Treasurer, P.O. Box 8041, Prairie Village, KS 66208.

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