Jesus is summoned for a sick friend but upon arriving “found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.” When Jesus tells Lazarus’ sister, Martha, “Your brother will rise,” she mistakenly thinks Jesus means a “resurrection on the last day.” He does not. Together they go to the tomb where Jesus “cried … Continue reading “Dying While We Are Still Alive”
Author: Editor
Blind Spots
“As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth,” who was thus judged to be a sinner, including by disciples. They ask, is his blindness the sin of “this man or his parents.” Jesus replied, “Neither,” “it is so the works of God might be made visible through him.” Jesus then works to … Continue reading “Blind Spots”
Drawing Meaning From Our Well
Jesus is journeying and thirsty, in need of water. He sits down at a well where a “woman of Samaria came to draw water.” He asks for and she provides him with water to quench his thirst. She asks for and he provides her with meaning to quench her thirst. Together, they drink up real … Continue reading “Drawing Meaning From Our Well”
Peaceful Trans-Figuring
“Jesus took Peter, James, and John” “up a high mountain.” There they saw Jesus, “transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” “And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared.” When we look at Moses and Elijah we see ancient figures bound to the kingdom of Israel. When we … Continue reading “Peaceful Trans-Figuring”
Led By The Spirit
“At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.” Jesus is led away from family, friends, even physical sustenance and he is hungry. Yet Jesus has been led by the Spirit to this … Continue reading “Led By The Spirit”
Lovers Gonna Love
Jesus said to his disciples, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” From whom have we heard it said, “hate your enemy?” It is from the cult of Militarism. Militarism trains its soldiers to hate enemies. Haters gonna hate. Be it soldiers of nationalism or white … Continue reading “Lovers Gonna Love”
The Inchained
Jesus is disobedient to the rulers of his time; the “scribes and Pharisees,” and “the Sanhedrin.” He will not be chained by them, not made subservient to their divisive system, as others are. Jesus is free and is teaching others to be free. Jesus keeps encouraging common unity. Therefore, he keeps encouraging reconciliation, “be reconciled … Continue reading “The Inchained”
Light In The Darkness
Isaiah writes, “(I)f you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness.” So too Jesus speaks of bestowing Beatitudes or Blessings and then telling us, “You are the light of the world.” “Just so, your light must shine before others.” “Give your light to … Continue reading “Light In The Darkness”
Changing the Narrative
The stories of the Old Testament are replete with the Religion of Militarism’s warriors and their glory. That truth is reflected in this Sunday’s Psalm, “Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong, mighty in battle.” (#24) That narrative changes with the Gospel which tells us the story of a baby, Jesus, and his … Continue reading “Changing the Narrative”
Called to Community
Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit. In the midst of rulers who devise division and hatred, Jesus is on a Spirited mission for community and love. “As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew.” “He said to them, “Come after … Continue reading “Called to Community”