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”
Author: Editor
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”
Holy Space
Today’s readings emphasize temples. The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel, who repeatedly calls the people sinners, emphasizes that the “Lord God’s” “temple” is a holy space. In the Gospel, Jesus disrupts the activities of the “temple” and, given its rulers’ activities in it, challenges belief about holy space. Religion asserts a belief in humanity’s imperfections or … Continue reading “Holy Space”
Soul Food
Sunday’s readings address souls. The Book of Wisdom talks of “the souls” who suffer because “God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them.” Paul’s Letter to the Romans talks of all souls as suffering “in slavery to sin” and … Continue reading “Soul Food”
Look Them in the Eye
Jesus tells a parable about two men in the temple. One is a Pharisee who “spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector.’” But the tax collector stood off at a distance and … Continue reading “Look Them in the Eye”
How is Tyranny Possible in the U.S.?
Jesus tells a parable about a “judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being.” Jesus’ listeners know the truth about judges, men of status. Judges can act as tyrants, as this one does, specifically acting as a tyrant against a “widow.” Jesus’ listeners also know the truth about widows, … Continue reading “How is Tyranny Possible in the U.S.?”
We Shall Not Be Foreigners in Our Own Land
Today’s readings tell the stories of foreigners. Periodically in the Old Testament, a foreigner is singled out, often for converting to the worship of Israel’s Lord God. Today it is the Syrian Naaman, who Elisha heals of leprosy, “I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the LORD.” In … Continue reading “We Shall Not Be Foreigners in Our Own Land”
Who Started Political Violence?
The Old Testament’s prophet Habakkuk is wanting the Lord to do his violent duty, “How long, O LORD, must I… cry out to you, “Violence!” and you do not intervene?” The Lord finally avenges the Israelites and does his violent duty against enemy sinners, “For the violence done to (Israel) shall overwhelm you,” sinners. Habakkuk … Continue reading “Who Started Political Violence?”
Shutting Down Capitalism
Jesus tells a parable to capitalists about the consequences of their wealth; “a rich man dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,” whom every day the rich man walked past. Jesus goes on, “When the poor … Continue reading “Shutting Down Capitalism”