Jesus is a loving man. He opens his heart, indeed his whole life to a variety of people who reflect a variety of personalities. Which is not to say his encounters are always pleasant. He is targeted by antagonistic, angry, and even vengeful personalities – always they are dominant rulers or those who desire the … Continue reading “A Revolution of Love”
Author: Editor
Decorating Our Memories
The disciples were “all in one place together” when “tongues as of fire, parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Spirit and began to speak… as the Spirit enabled them.” They went out among people gathered together from across the world. It was not to … Continue reading “Decorating Our Memories”
Friends and Enemies
Jesus, who loved his enemies was targeted by them as an enemy and executed by soldiers. His friends are shocked and depressed by his murder. They are not angry, plotting revenge against enemies. Their friend Jesus then returns in the Resurrection. They enjoy 40 more days of friendship until Jesus departs in his Ascension, today’s … Continue reading “Friends and Enemies”
Religious Imperialism
Acts of the Apostles describes numerous early efforts of disciples to “proclaim the Christ” to people. Most of the people had been made “poor.” They were afflicted,” “orphaned.” Disciples did so in their own land and in other lands, such as “Samaria.” Is Christ proclaimed in our present day and how? Is it to people … Continue reading “Religious Imperialism”
Cultivate Peace
Jesus is at his last meal with disciples. This includes Judas who has already betrayed Jesus and later that night will help assault him. Jesus knows Judas is betraying him. He describes the assault and violence that await. Jesus does not, however, assault Judas nor does he even protest against him. Instead, Jesus initiates peacemaking … Continue reading “Cultivate Peace”
The Bully Pulpit
In Sunday’s readings from Peter, we are told, “If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.” Are we to be patient when the suffering is intentionally inflicted upon us and repeatedly so? That describes bullying. Jesus was never patient about people suffering under bullies. In … Continue reading “The Bully Pulpit”
A Man Commended to You By God
After Jesus’ death, Peter, in the Acts of the Apostles, is making the case for Jesus. Peter asserts “Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs” of healings. But Peter unfortunately goes on to link the commendable healer Jesus with the lamentable ruler David, “the patriarch … Continue reading “A Man Commended to You By God”
Facts To Believe In
Disciples believe they have seen Jesus and tell Thomas about it. Ordinarily, not a big deal. Except for the fact the disciples watched Jesus die just a few days earlier. How can they reconcile the two? How can people know facts and believe something else entirely? For example, how can millions of people know the … Continue reading “Facts To Believe In”
Now What?
I miss you. I miss how we were once together. I miss the life we shared. I feel so lonely, so bereft inside. I need to go out for a little while, alone. Perhaps I could go to where they laid you. So it was that “on the first day of the week, Mary of … Continue reading “Now What?”
What Is Our Quest?
“All the chief priests and the elders took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.” “After Pilate had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to soldiers to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor… stripped off his clothes and … Continue reading “What Is Our Quest?”