Jesus tells a parable of a “man who plants a vineyard” and “leases it to tenants” (chief priests and elders). When the man sends servants (peacemakers) and then his son (Jesus), to obtain the yield, the chief priests and elders do violence, ultimately colluding, “Come, let us kill him.” Colluding to kill is what rulers … Continue reading “Come, Let Us Kill Him”
Category: Military Justice
Loan Me a Generation With Interest
“There was a rich man who dressed in… fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. Lying at his door was a poor man, Lazarus, covered with sores… dogs even used to come and lick his sores. The poor man died, and was carried to Abraham. The rich man also died… and from the netherworld cried … Continue reading “Loan Me a Generation With Interest”
Possessing a War Bonnet
Ecclesiastes tells us, “All things are vanity! Here is one who has labored.. and yet to another must leave his property and possessions.” In the Gospel Jesus responds to a man worried about his property and possessions by telling him, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life … Continue reading “Possessing a War Bonnet”
How Hard It Is For Those Who Have Wealth
A rich man is told by Jesus, “’Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it … Continue reading “How Hard It Is For Those Who Have Wealth”
The Case For Reparations
In the Old Testament, Yahweh, “the Lord,” wears a MAGA hat: Make Atonement Great Again. Atonement makes a case for reparations – payments from the people to “the Lord.” It is an ancient yet still operative system. “The Lord” remains a projection of earthly ‘Lords’ who still exact reparations – payments from the people to … Continue reading “The Case For Reparations”
Who and What We Do and Do Not Know
From Sunday’s Old Testament reading we know of the claim that “all nations” will worship “the Lord.” Western history would seem to bear this claim out. The U.S. continues to show a majority of people still worshiping the Bible’s “Lord.” We also know from the Old Testament and Sunday’s second reading, that “whom the Lord … Continue reading “Who and What We Do and Do Not Know”
Shaking Persecutors
Much of Isaiah affirms the persecution a just deity inflicts upon his Chosen People who have been disobedient. In its last chapter, Isaiah tells the Chosen People who have returned to obedience that “Everyone will see the LORD’s hand of blessing on his servants and his anger against his enemies.” Jesus’ Gospel obliterates that blessing … Continue reading “Shaking Persecutors”
Concentration
There’s an old joke told about three men being asked, “What do you want to hear said about you as you lay in your coffin.” The first wants to hear: “He was a great family man.” The second wants to hear: “He was a great doctor.” The third wants to hear: “He’s breathing!” In this … Continue reading “Concentration”
Humiliated as Property
Feeling humiliated as a piece of property weaves through this Sunday’s readings. The Israelites feel humiliated as slaves in Egypt, owned as property. Unfortunately, these ex-slaves then conquer and humiliate other people as slaves in “the land of Canaan” and them own as property. Jesus highlights the feeling by telling a parable of a rich … Continue reading “Humiliated as Property”
Courting Vulnerable Service
Jesus witnesses a life of service and is urging it for others, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Jesus’ witness is rejected by men who do not serve but instead rule. They will cause his violent death. He tells disciples this truth, he … Continue reading “Courting Vulnerable Service”