K Karpen: "To Stand In Power" (Sermon for March 15, 2025)

"Jesus said to the Pharisees (who came to warn him about Herod), "Go and tell that fox..." Luke 13:32This week's Gospel text shows us some strange bedfellows. The Pharisees, who are often depicted as enemies of Jesus - or at least antagonists - show up to warn Jesus about Herod Antipas's murderous intent towards him. But of course, there were Pharisees and there were Pharisees. Just as today there are Christians and there are Christians.Maybe that's a sign for us in these times. I feel like it's time to look for allies in strange and different places. There may be people and groups we disagree with vehemently on certain topics and in certain areas, with whom we might be able to make common cause with on other issues and in different ways.As Hippocrates put it long before the time of Jesus, 'Desperate times call for desperate measures.'Meanwhile, I'm grateful to be connected with a thoughtful, compassionate and courageous group of people like yourselves!K