Footsteps in the Dark

February 27, 2026

Footsteps in the Dark

The Second Sunday in Lent | March 1, 2026

Opening Thought

What is faith? Do you have faith? Do you think you have enough?

I ask those questions without a shred of judgment. Have you ever considered what your actual response would be if someone suddenly told you to throw down everything you know, pack up your life, and go do something completely unknown? I can guess what my immediate reaction would be, even though I know what I hope it would be!

This is hard, difficult stuff. We often get caught up in measuring our faith—wondering if we have enough of it, or if our doubts make us unworthy of the calling. But faith is not about how much we have, and it is certainly not a measure of our worthiness. We are worthy. And yes, we have enough faith, simply because God is enough. Faith often requires us to move before we can see the whole path.

This Sunday, our liturgy brings us face-to-face with two people who are asked to step into the unknown. First, we have Abram in the Old Testament, who is told by God to pack up his entire life, leave his country, and go to a land he has never seen. Then, in the Gospel, we meet Nicodemus. He is a Pharisee and a respected leader, but he comes to Jesus under the cover of night. He has all the religious credentials in the world, yet he realizes he is still in the dark, searching for answers he can't quite grasp.

Lent is a lot like these journeys. It asks us to leave the comfortable, familiar "countries" of our habits and routines. It invites us to come to God with our midnight questions, admitting that we don't have it all figured out.

As we continue our penitential journey this week—beginning our worship with the solemnity of the Decalogue and the Kyrie—we are reminded that we are not expected to be perfect travelers. We are just expected to take the next step. Whether you feel like you are stepping out into a brand new wilderness or wandering through the dark with your questions, know that the God who called Abram and welcomed Nicodemus is walking right beside you.

Engaging the Word

Our readings today weave together the themes of unmerited grace, profound trust, and God's immense love for the world.

Genesis (12:1-4a) is the moment everything changes for Abram. God tells him to go from his country and his kindred to a new land. In return, God makes a sweeping promise: "I will make of you a great nation... and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed". Abram doesn't ask for a map or a ten-year plan. He simply goes.

Psalm 121 is the ultimate traveler's psalm, often called a Song of Ascents. The psalmist asks, "I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?". The answer is a beautiful promise of protection: the Lord who made heaven and earth will not slumber. He will preserve you from all evil and watch over your going out and your coming in.

Romans (4:1-5, 13-17) features Paul using Abraham as the ultimate example of faith over works. He argues that Abraham wasn't justified because he followed the law perfectly (the law didn't even exist yet!), but because he simply trusted God. Faith, Paul says, is not a wage we earn; it is a gift we receive. Abraham is the father of all who share this faith.

John (3:1-17) brings us the famous story of Nicodemus. He comes to Jesus by night, initiating a confusing conversation about being "born from above" or "born of water and Spirit". Nicodemus takes it literally, wondering how an old man can return to the womb. But Jesus is talking about a spiritual rebirth. This exchange leads to the most famous verse in scripture: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son...". It is a powerful reminder that God sent the Son not to condemn the world, but to save it.

A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides

Our music this week connects our modern worship to the ancient faith of our ancestors.

Opening Voluntary: We begin with the "Andante tranquillo" by Percy Whitlock. This gentle, reflective piece sets a serene and contemplative mood, perfect for stepping out of the noise of the world and into the quiet wilderness of Lent. Whitlock’s distinctly English pastoral style invites us into a space of calm trust before the journey begins.

Entrance Hymn: We stand to sing "The God of Abraham praise" (#401). This hymn brilliantly ties into both our Genesis and Romans readings, calling us to praise the God who made the initial covenant with Abram.

Sequence Hymn: We sing the bedrock American folk hymn "How firm a foundation" (#636). As we prepare to hear the Gospel, this hymn reassures us that God's word is the only foundation we need when the path forward seems unclear.

Offertory Anthem: The choir offers "God So Loved the World" by John Stainer. This piece is excerpted from his larger choral work, The Crucifixion. It is an absolute masterpiece of Victorian choral writing. Singing the very words of our Gospel text (John 3:16-17), the choir delivers this profound message of God’s saving, non-condemning love in rich, a cappella harmony.

Post-Communion Hymn: We close with the bold and triumphant "Lift high the cross" (#473). Even though we are early in Lent, this hymn points our compass firmly toward Holy Week.

Closing Voluntary: We finish with the "Prelude and Fugue in C minor" (BWV 549) by J.S. Bach. The solemn key of C minor anchors us firmly in the penitential season, while the structured, driving energy of the fugue propels us forward, giving us the musical resolve we need to continue taking our next steps in faith.

A Closing Note on our Journey

I spend a great deal of my time researching genealogy and documenting family history across the centuries. There is something deeply grounding about tracing a lineage back through the generations, finding the names, the dates, and the homelands of the people who preceded us. It makes the past feel tangible.

In his letter to the Romans today, Paul does a bit of spiritual genealogy. He looks back to Abraham, calling him "our ancestor according to the flesh". But Paul makes a radical shift. He says that the true inheritance doesn't come through bloodlines or by strictly adhering to the law. It comes through faith. Abraham is the father of all of us who share his faith, "who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist".

When you think about it, we are all part of this vast, messy, beautiful family tree of faith. We are connected to Abram stepping out into the desert without a map. We are connected to Nicodemus coming to Jesus in the dark with a heart full of questions.

Faith isn't about having a perfect spiritual pedigree or a flawless resume of good works. As Paul reminds us, if it were about works, it would be a wage. Instead, it is a free gift. It is about trusting the God who loves the world enough to send His Son, not to condemn it, but to save it.

This week, whether you feel like you are boldly stepping forward or wandering in the dark, remember your roots. You belong to a long line of travelers, questioners, and believers. And your Help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

A Prayer for the Week Ahead

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us offer our prayers to God, who watches over our going out and our coming in.

For the Church, that like Abram, we may have the courage to leave what is comfortable and follow wherever your Spirit leads us.