The Old Testament reading concerns the will of the priestly class to judge a man a sinner. He is a leper. The judgment dehumanizes the man. No longer is he a human being with a disease but instead, he is the disease. He is the sin; “the priest shall declare him unclean… (he) shall keep … Continue reading “What Do We Will?”
Author: Editor
For What Purpose Have I Come?
Job laments that he, a ruler who enslaved people in misery, is himself now “a slave,” in “misery.” Job’s fellow rulers and enslavers visit him with the purpose of determining what is his sin that has resulted in his deserved misery. Jesus rejects misery for healing. An example is his treatment of Peter’s ill mother-in … Continue reading “For What Purpose Have I Come?”
Bread and Circuses
“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.” Rulers, such as the scribes, could keep the people busy with memorizing doctrine or even entertained with superficial rhetoric. But rulers could not draw forth what Jesus drew forth, … Continue reading “Bread and Circuses”
What Are We Prepping For?
Jonah is given the task of converting sinners, the “wicked” people of Nineveh. He walks away from the task feeling no desire nor urgency given their wickedness. He eventually carries it out and the people convert. “But this greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry.” He believed the sinners deserved the wrath of the Lord. … Continue reading “What Are We Prepping For?”
Critical Thinking
In the Old Testament, young Samuel believes he is being called by Eli. But Eli is certain “the Lord was calling the youth.” The Lord is calling Samuel for allegiance to a War Lord, King David, and to a warrior nation, Israel. In the Gospel, Andrew believes he is being called by Jesus. Jesus says … Continue reading “Critical Thinking”
Musings on Love
Isaiah writes “The LORD goes forth like a warrior, like a man of war he stirs up his fury; He shouts out his battle cry, against his enemies.” John the Baptist heralds Isaiah’s warrior deity and tries to save people from being an enemy to that deity by cleansing people of past sins. John then … Continue reading “Musings on Love”
Institutions Will Not Save Us
“Magi from the East arrived in Jerusalem” where they told “King Herod” of their quest. They seek a newborn holy one, “We saw his star rising.” The Magi are scientists and believers open to epiphanies, to experiencing the essential meaning of divinity present in the world. They cultivate care for the natural world and all … Continue reading “Institutions Will Not Save Us”
Holy Children, Holy Families
Mary and Joseph are bringing their new baby, Jesus, “up to Jerusalem.” They are met by a man named “Simeon” who receives their little one as the “Christ.” Simeon beheld the child as one who would transform the world and “took him into his arms and blessed God.” “There was also a prophetess, Anna.” She … Continue reading “Holy Children, Holy Families”
Women Are Wise
Today’s Old Testament reading unfortunately begins with a fool, the warrior King David. He is feeling anxious because he is not currently laboring at killing, “the LORD has given him rest from his enemies.” The Gospel reading fortunately tells of a wise soul, the lover Mary. She is feeling at peace for she will soon … Continue reading “Women Are Wise”
Women are Truthful
Spending time this Advent with Mary, and women in general, we can discover women are truthful. We hear Mary sing a song from the Gospel of Luke, the Magnificat. The Magnificat is the classic rendition of speaking truth to power, but, since Mary is power, it is really about speaking truth to the treacherous. In … Continue reading “Women are Truthful”