Those we meet while walking with Jesus

Matters of Faith

By Dr. Bascom Ratliff

Pastor, Beagle, Fontana and Parker United Methodist Churches

Scripture:

Mark 1: 40-44. Jesus heals a leper.

Mark 5: 25-34. A woman is healed after touching Jesus’s garment.

Matthew 19: 14. Jesus welcomes children.

Today's message is a call to us to welcome and embrace the modern-day lepers and marginalized people in our society. There are a number of Bible verses that tell of Jesus encountering diverse individuals who are ill, poor, or in crisis. To these poor and needy persons, Jesus provided comfort, healing, and assurance of forgiveness and love. He also challenged us to do the same. In Matthew 25 Jesus makes it clear that when we do good to others it is the same as doing good to him. His bottom-line message to us is that if we follow him, we must be willing to serve and care for others.

As we continue our journey with Jesus through Lent, I encourage you to read and reflect on the miracles of Jesus. You are likely to find that many of his miracles carry with them the good news that God's kingdom and healing is available to everyone.

I would also invite you to take a leap of faith during Lent and entertain the notion that God is calling us to take a more active role in caring for the modern-day “lepers” in our society. My challenge is simply this, give up the anger and hatred you have toward others. Give up the greed and the stinginess and be more open with sharing God's good news in the form of support for your local food closet or services to the poor and needy. 

Commit to loving. Commit to caring. Commit to sharing the yoke of kindness and forgiveness with Jesus. And after Lent you can reflect on your journey with Jesus and consider the benefit of continuing your commitment to loving, sharing, and caring. God's wish for us is simply stated by his command that we love others. 

As we journey through Lent, I think it's important to think about your own personal encounter with Jesus. What are you needing or looking for in your own life? What can God do for you today? How are your relationships with others going? Do you need healing or forgiveness? 

These are just a few of the important questions I would challenge you to ask during your own spiritual inventory. Jesus promises us that his yoke is light and that he will take our burdens. Are you giving your burden to Jesus? Or are you hanging onto them, cluttering your life and cluttering your relationships with unnecessary spiritual baggage?

Lent is also an important time to reflect upon God’s call for meekness and humility. We are challenged to explore our values and behavior. We are asked to pray, fast, and give. We are told that following Jesus is a simple task. Maybe our challenge this Lenten season is to give up the complicated and painful resentments that have held us captive to sin. 

As we move through Lent, take Jesus at his word. Give him your burdens and let him do the heavy lifting. And above all, remember to love others and to love God with everything you have.

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If you are ready to worship and serve a loving God who welcomes everyone to God’s family, please come worship with us. We will give you a warm welcome, a hot drink, and a homemade cookie. And, most important of all, we will give you an ample sample of God’s wonderful and unfailing love.

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We will have Sunday morning services during the month of March 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Parker, Kansas, United Methodist Church.

We will have Sunday morning services during the month of April 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Beagle United Methodist Church.

We will have Maundy Thursday services on April 2, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Beagle United Methodist Church.

We will have Good Friday services on April 3, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Fontana United Methodist Church.

We will have an Easter sunrise service and brunch at 7 a.m. on April 5, 2026, at the Beagle United Methodist Church.

We will have an Easter morning service on April 5, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Beagle United Methodist Church.

We serve communion on the first Sunday of each month.

All are welcome in God’s House.  Come and celebrate with us.

Dr. Bascom Ratliff  (913-710-5748)

Pastor: Parker/Beagle/Fontana 

United Methodist Churches