Jesus is talking to people who are made “poor,” “hungry, and are “persecuted.” It is possible for these listeners to feel cursed and to become resentful over the pain done to them. But Jesus tells his “poor,” “hungry,” and “persecuted” listeners to know they are “Blessed” and to “Rejoice.” In one sense, Jesus is…
“John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’” What is the sin of the world? For millennia religious rulers have claimed the sin of the world is disobedience to a Supreme Lord who thus requires payment and death. The…
Magi travel to Jerusalem in search of an Epiphany, seeing God in a child born to goodness. They encounter a ruler trained otherwise, King Herod. Herod is “greatly troubled” by his meeting with these Wise Ones. The king has “assembled his chief priests and scribes” and deceptively tells the Magi, “Go and search diligently…
“The angel said to the Shepherds, ‘I proclaim to you tidings of great joy to be shared with all people.’” “‘Let this be a sign to you: in a manger you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes.’ Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of angels saying, ‘Glory to God and…
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…
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…
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.…
When the soldiers who write our history tell us of the “shoot that shall develop from the stump of Jesse,” they are telling us of a warrior, David. The warrior is proclaimed as our savior. The man of war will fight for justice, slay the wicked, and thus save us. But warriors will never…
The Roman rulers and their soldiers who occupy our village, brag openly of knowing. They know their control for warmaking and the deaths war spawns. We women know too. We know our power for lovemaking and the life we hold close and deep within. We know of the healing new life brings. Nothing changes…