Jesus is traveling through a region known as Samaria. The people living there are viewed as enemies. On the way, “ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus! Have compassion on us!” Jesus does have compassion and he heals them; “they were cleansed.” The ten individuals … Continue reading “Contagious Diseases”
Author: Editor
Criminals with Guns
The prophet Habakkuk is upset with “the Lord” for his governance of the ancient nation of Israel. Habakkuk laments, “I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not intervene…there is strife, and clamorous discord.” Since THE “Lord” was invented by the nation’s ‘Lords,’ Habakkuk’s lament is really for the nation’s Lords and their violent … Continue reading “Criminals with Guns”
Foundations
Jesus’ parable about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus, sets the foundation for wisdom about rich and poor, “There was a rich man who dressed in … fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus … who would gladly have eaten … … Continue reading “Foundations”
The Con of Wile E. Characters
Jesus tells a parable this Sunday about a conniving steward caught “squandering the master’s property.” Though caught, he does not stop his conniving. He merely shifts it to “his master’s debtors one by one.” He does so for personal benefit, figuring, “when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.” … Continue reading “The Con of Wile E. Characters”
The Case For Reparations
In the Old Testament, “the Lord,” wears a MAGA hat: Make Atonement Great Again. Atonement requires reparations, which are payments from the people, commoners, to “the Lord.” The Old Testament, written mostly by ‘Lords,’ asserts commoners are “depraved,” deserving of death via “the Lord’s wrath.” But, for a price, reparation can be made by the … Continue reading “The Case For Reparations”
Elder Esteem
In today’s Gospel Jesus says, “If anyone comes to me without hating father and mother…they cannot be my disciple.” Jesus is undoing the esteem given to worldly position. Unfortunately, Paul, in the second reading, reasserts such esteem. Paul thus reassert patriarchy and slavery. Patriarchy is fatherly possessiveness over a lesser, for example a child or … Continue reading “Elder Esteem”
The Capacity for God
“An attentive ear is the joy of the wise,” so writes Sirach. Wisely listening to the wisdom of another requires we “conduct our affairs with humility.” Jesus wisely gives an attentive ear to others and therefore conducts his affairs with humility. In the Gospel, “Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the … Continue reading “The Capacity for God”
What We Know
From Sunday’s Old Testament reading we know of the claim that “all nations” will worship “the Lord.” Western history would seem to bear this claim out. For example, the U.S. continues to show a majority of people still worshiping the Bible’s “Lord.” We also know from the Old Testament and Sunday’s second reading, that “whom … Continue reading “What We Know”
Gunning For People
Jeremiah is blaming the people and their sins for gangs of soldiers making war against them and dividing the people between Babylon and Jerusalem. Jeremiah does not blame the gangs of soldiers. Conversely, Jesus is encouraging the people for peaceful leadership. They will need it for the ensuing division ahead, “From now on a household … Continue reading “Gunning For People”
Charged With Leadership
Jesus contrasts his Way with the way of rulers. The contrast he highlights in this Sunday’s Gospel goes to leadership. He tells disciples to be “alert,” “prepared,’ and especially, to be “in charge.” Jesus’ leadership is therefore a contrast to rulers who condition underlings to be subordinate. Leadership is presented as a paramount value in … Continue reading “Charged With Leadership”