A man asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “You know the commandments.” The man replied, “Yes Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus looked at him and loved him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor … Continue reading “Needling the Rich”
Author: Editor
Learning to Fall
The Pharisees approach Jesus about divorce and admit, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss” his wife. But Jesus told them, It is “because of the hardness of your hearts” Moses permitted it. Later, “people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked the … Continue reading “Learning to Fall”
Of Our Company
“John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he is not of our company. Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.” Jesus went on to talk about what causes us to sin, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” “And … Continue reading “Of Our Company”
They Are Going To Kill Me
“Jesus was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him.” What does it feel like to be a good man and know you are going to be killed? It is so incredibly sad; for a life to be taken and for … Continue reading “They Are Going To Kill Me”
Predictions
“Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed.” Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “This will never happen to you.” Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not … Continue reading “Predictions”
Peacemaking: A Companionable Art
“People brought to Jesus a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.” “He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the … Continue reading “Peacemaking: A Companionable Art”
Beyond the 10 Commandments
In this Sunday’s first reading Moses links goodness with obedience to the Law, commanding people to “observe the commandments of the Lord.” In the Gospel, followers of Moses, the Pharisees, question the goodness of Jesus and disciples since they disobey the Law, “Why do you not keep the tradition of the elders?” A law mandating … Continue reading “Beyond the 10 Commandments”
Meritocracy
Jesus’ Gospel message continues to focus on communion, from which one of the founders of institutional christianity unfortunately diverges – Paul of Tarsus. Paul infamously states in today’s second reading, “Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife.” “As the church is subordinate to … Continue reading “Meritocracy”
Wine and Wisdom
Wine and wisdom play roles in this Sunday’s readings. The Book of Proverbs writes that “Wisdom has built her house,… mixed her wine,… spread her table;… she says, Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed! Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding.” Paul encourages … Continue reading “Wine and Wisdom”
Ego-nomics Shifting to Eco-nomics
Jesus is shifting people away from an attachment to a deadly deity with a deadly ethic and toward a life-giving community of God with a loving ethic. “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; … Continue reading “Ego-nomics Shifting to Eco-nomics”