Spending time this Advent with Mary, and women in general, we can discover women are powerful. We would not know that power from today’s Old Testament reading. It promotes atonement, meaning it promotes “sin” and “guilt.” The Gospel reading does not promote atonement but does address it with John in the desert. He proclaims “a … Continue reading “Women Are Powerful”
Author: Editor
Women Are Adventurers
If we spend time this Advent with Mary, and women in general, what might we discover? Today’s Advent readings lend themselves to discovering women are adventurers. The Old Testament addresses “wanderers”, but it is a rebuke. People have wandered far from their family of origin, the tribe with its law and traditions. Such ventures prove … Continue reading “Women Are Adventurers”
Christ is Not Liberal
Jesus tells disciples, in the “Community of God” caring for the least is caring for him, “Whatever you did for one of the least of mine, you did for me.” Opponents of Jesus will not care for the least and therefore will not care for Christ Jesus nor Christs throughout history, “When did we see … Continue reading “Christ is Not Liberal”
Entrusted with Being Alive
Jesus tells a story of people entrusted with a man’s livelihood. The man is going on a journey and entrusts to three people money of varying amounts. Two put it to good use. When the man returns, they give back what they had been entrusted with and so much more. But the third man, “out … Continue reading “Entrusted with Being Alive”
Saying No to Fools and Yes to Wisdom
Jesus tells a story showing how the “Kingdom of God will be like women who took their lamps and went out to meet a bridegroom.” But the bridegroom “was long delayed.” Some women were wise and had brought “flasks of oil.” Others were “foolish” and “brought no oil with them.” The fools demand of the … Continue reading “Saying No to Fools and Yes to Wisdom”
Christian Is An Action Verb
Jesus’ opening teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is referred to as The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are read every All Saints Day. They exemplify the active witness of disciples. Given that active witness, it is odd that the Beatitudes are inaccurately translated into the passive voice. For example, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, … Continue reading “Christian Is An Action Verb”
Being Afraid to Love is the Problem
Rulers judge Jesus is a problem and they target problem people with hostility. Jesus focuses on people as friends and is loving. It is therefore not Jesus nor his disciples who are the problem but rulers and their supporters. This is exemplified in today’s Gospel encounter when a ruler, “a scholar of the law, tested” … Continue reading “Being Afraid to Love is the Problem”
Belonging to Caesar
The ‘Chosen People’ of ancient Israel, captured by Babylon, dreamed of rebuilding their empire. When Persia’s King Cyrus defeated Babylon, he helped helped realize that dream. The people acclaim Cyrus as an agent of Yahweh, “Thus says the Lord to his anointed, Cyrus.” “It is I who arm you, though you know me not.” The … Continue reading “Belonging to Caesar”
Being Present To Christ
Jesus uses a parable about a “wedding feast” to describe “the Kingdom of God.” Initially invited guests, representing the kingdom of Israel, refuse to come. The celebration is now open to everyone as servants are told, “Go out into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.” Later, it is discovered one … Continue reading “Being Present To Christ”
Fruitfulness in Community
Jesus tells rulers a parable about the Kingdom of God on earth by describing a farmer who plants a vineyard. He leases its care to tenant farmers who reveal themselves as both greedy and murderous, “This is (the farmer’s) heir. Come let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.” The tenant farmers represent the greedy … Continue reading “Fruitfulness in Community”