The Old Testament relays a belief in the will of God and our duty to obey it. Isaiah believes in the importance of obeying the “will” of God to make his Chosen nation the “salvation” of all the nations. The Gospel reading instead addresses the freedom associated with Jesus. John the Baptist is reminding us … Continue reading “Obeying the ICE-Cold Will of God”
Author: Editor
Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved
“After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved.” A Spirit in the form of … Continue reading “Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved”
Darkness of Our Time Eclipsed by Light
“Magi from the east… seek the newborn king.” “We saw his star at its rising” they tell King Herod. “King Herod was greatly troubled.” He believes Jesus wants his throne and will fight him to keep it. Herod plans to kill the child. From the Gospel we know of the darkness King Herod spreads across … Continue reading “Darkness of Our Time Eclipsed by Light”
Gathering a Holy Family
The Gospel tells us Jesus is born into a world made divisive, abusive, and deadly by rulers. The rulers are dominating the people, threatening Magi, and killing children. Jesus’ father, Joseph, understands the danger. He gathered his family together “and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.” Given the history … Continue reading “Gathering a Holy Family”
Authoring New Life: Challenge
We feel new life growing within us and realize we will face challenges in sharing the child we bring to birth. In today’s readings, neither Isaiah nor Paul give priority to new life. They give priority to old beliefs about obedience to the “House of David.” Paul’s priority on obedience to the warrior David deprioritizes … Continue reading “Authoring New Life: Challenge”
Authoring New Life: Future
We feel new life growing within us and are considering future consequences of our sharing new life. Will the future treat new life with kindness? Is there evidence instead the future will treat new life with vindictiveness? The Old Testament includes an ethic of vindictiveness. Isaiah and the Psalmist both write of an image of … Continue reading “Authoring New Life: Future”
Authoring New Life: Past
We feel new life growing within us and want to be guided by peaceful people from our past who have shaped us. The prophet Isaiah writes about a past patriarch, King David. King David is a warmaker who teaches us to “strike the ruthless” and “slay the wicked” erroneously believing peace will follow. The Old … Continue reading “Authoring New Life: Past”
Authoring New Life: Homemaking
We feel new life growing within us and want to make a loving home from which to share our new life with the world. The Psalmist and the prophet Isaiah write about their love of the “house of the Lord.” We are advised to make our house just like the “house of God.” A most … Continue reading “Authoring New Life: Homemaking”
Freedom From Kings
The Old Testament reading describes the establishment of holy rule, “All the elders of Israel” stood “before the Lord” to “anoint David King.” The king’s rule consists of taking command of the army and its soldiers, torturing enemies, and killing people. It is what king Pilate does in the Gospel, specifically targeting Jesus. Thus, as … Continue reading “Freedom From Kings”
When It’s Safe
In the Old Testament scripture, Malachi promises people safety when he says their War “Lord God will come to his temple” and wage war, “all enemies will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire.” Jesus promises people insecurity when he says “there will not be left a stone upon … Continue reading “When It’s Safe”