We are coming close to the end of the church year.  The scripture from Luke reminds us of the impermanency of all that we accoplish when our motives are dictated by the world. I suppose you might want to soft peddle the message, especially at the end where the image of carnage is made complete:

That's hardly the tone I want to carry with me this week...

Yet it seems that Jesus knew (and knows) that we would be prone to linger around thoughts and activities that highlight death rather than life.  When we are preoccupied with what is "wrong" with our experiences (yes, including politics and economy....sports...weather ... the church...) we are literally setting our sights upon death.... the carcass of existence.   As we gather around the carcass we will most certainly be in the company of vultures who will pick away and compete for any remnant of sustenance.  (Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the function of those ugly birds as they clean up after road kills.... but they still give me the creeps!)

Jesus invites us to look for life, His life, that is given to us each day.  We are to seek it fervently.  We are to devote our actions and words to lifting others up and helping them to adjust their focus so that they too may see God's Kingdom of Love, Justice, Mercy, Hope, Peace.

How will you encourage somebody today?  How will you magnify the promise of life in Christ?