Old Testament priests officially “declared” a person pure or impure, for example, lepers were declared impure. Priests would banish impure persons like lepers, establishing borders to keep them out, “He shall dwell apart.” Integrated relationships were destroyed. The Gospel’s Jesus of Nazareth gathers together people who are declared impure. More so, he specifically heals those … Continue reading “Critics Do Not Heal”
Author: Editor
Circumstantial or Systemic?
Job in the Old Testament is a good man, evidenced by Job being a rich man, blessed by God, “Job owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen,” “and a very large number of slaves.” Job’s circumstances change though, because “the Lord” says to “satan,” “All that Job has is in your control satan.” … Continue reading “Circumstantial or Systemic?”
Davos and Hollow Men
“Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unhealthy spirit… Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Come out of him!’ The unhealthy spirit… came out of him. All were amazed … Continue reading “Davos and Hollow Men”
Common Sense
John the Baptist, who will not agree to Herod’s lies and speaks out against the wealthy ruler’s corruption, has “been arrested.” Jesus goes beyond John’s practices and starts gathering a new “Community.” It will help people to have greater common knowledge, especially about how rulers operate by lying about and corrupting common knowledge. Aristotle is … Continue reading “Common Sense”
Y’all Don’t Know What White Privilege Looks Like
A young Samuel in today’s Old Testament reading believes he is being called and responds, “Here I am.” Andrew in today’s Gospel believes he is being called and responds by following Jesus who lives in and keeps building a community. It is natural to consider our lives and our life’s calling in individual terms – … Continue reading “Y’all Don’t Know What White Privilege Looks Like”
The Myrrh of Artificial Intelligence
The Gospel of Matthew includes a story of Magi, wise ones who seek a child, “We saw his star rising.” They offer “him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” The story is told to link with an Old Testament story but erroneously so, for it tells of warriors who seek plunder, “all shall come bearing … Continue reading “The Myrrh of Artificial Intelligence”
The Future of the Family
Mary and Joseph “took Jesus up to Jerusalem.” “Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.” “When the parents brought in the child Jesus,” Simeon “took him into his arms and blessed God.” “There was also a prophetess, Anna.” She too “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child.” “The child … Continue reading “The Future of the Family”
Mary and Her Children
Mary is recorded in the Gospel as the mother of Jesus. Is she the mother of other children? The Gospel according to Matthew records persons inquiring about Jesus and saying, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?” Are not his … Continue reading “Mary and Her Children”
Mary’s Pregnancy
Mary grew up in an extended family. She would have been accustomed to women being pregnant and having children. Women would have had their babies in the home. There was a great intimacy around a girl’s experience of pregnancy. Modern women might experience it as a time of little privacy but Mary would likely have … Continue reading “Mary’s Pregnancy”
Mary and Joseph
That Mary would be taken as a wife was an unquestioned expectation. It was a decision-making process that began long before her consciousness of it. Mary was part of an extended family all living together in attached dwellings. Mary’s whole family would have been involved in the considerations of who would be an appropriate husband. … Continue reading “Mary and Joseph”