Critics Do Not Heal

Old Testament priests officially “declared” a person pure or impure, for example, lepers were declared impure. Priests would banish impure persons like lepers, establishing borders to keep them out, “He shall dwell apart.” Integrated relationships were destroyed. The Gospel’s Jesus of Nazareth gathers together people who are declared impure. More so, he specifically heals those … Continue reading “Critics Do Not Heal”

Circumstantial or Systemic?

Job in the Old Testament is a good man, evidenced by Job being a rich man, blessed by God, “Job owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen,” “and a very large number of slaves.” Job’s circumstances change though, because “the Lord” says to “satan,” “All that Job has is in your control satan.” … Continue reading “Circumstantial or Systemic?”

Love A Hundredfold

Jesus teaches a parable about a sower and seeds; “some seed fell on a path and birds came to eat it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for … Continue reading “Love A Hundredfold”

Meekness: Our Refreshing Grandeur

Jesus is a poor itinerant preacher traveling among poor people “to preach in their towns.” He is in touch with nature for his teaching – “seeds” and “sheep,” “serpents and doves,” “reeds in the wind.” He learns his friend, John the Baptist, a poor settled preacher, also in touch with nature, has been put into … Continue reading “Meekness: Our Refreshing Grandeur”

A Mother’s Spirit

Jesus tells disciples, “An Advocate is to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows this Spirit. But you know this Spirit, because the Spirit remains with you, and will be in you.” Wisdom guides like Jesus are free. They are therefore subversive. They … Continue reading “A Mother’s Spirit”

Being a Caring Shepherd

Jesus tells listeners a caring “shepherd walks ahead of the sheep, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.” Jesus warns listeners about life’s “thieves and robbers.” “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy.” Do youth, specifically gender dysphoric and trans youth, have wisdom figures who care about them?” Are … Continue reading “Being a Caring Shepherd”

Essential

Jesus is talking to commoners knowing rulers “insult and persecute you and utter every kind of slander against you.” But Jesus tells them, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt is essential for life and it is Jesus’ description for people made to feel inessential. Essential means “to be” and highlights the core goodness … Continue reading “Essential”

Trimesters: Birthing

Joseph is loving, attentive, especially so on our forced journey. I am making the journey on the back of donkey and it is so very hard on my body. He is patient, tending to me every time I have to get off the donkey and attend to my body’s needs. He touches my belly and … Continue reading “Trimesters: Birthing”

Trimesters: Planning

Some things I planned. I planned to take care of myself, always, even from a young age. Thus, I planned to take care of my babies. I have spoken with older women who have already had babies – rather – they have spoken with me. I have listened. They wanted to share their wisdom and … Continue reading “Trimesters: Planning”

Trimesters: Preparing

I am waiting in fullness. I do not lie in wait, to hurt. I am not waiting on guard; anxious something will be done to me. I am waiting in fullness. The fullness of life is stirring within me. I am waiting in preparation. I am preparing the way for fullness to be born. I … Continue reading “Trimesters: Preparing”