While addressing the importance of persisting in faith, Jesus tells the story of a widow. She has strong faith in her position against an “adversary” in a corrupt system harming her. The judge deciding her case is corrupt, reflecting the corrupt system. Even so, she is unrelenting in petitioning the judge for fairness, “Render a … Continue reading “Creating a Faithful Climate”
Author: Editor
Contagious Diseases
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”
Criminals with Guns
The prophet Habakkuk is upset with “THE LORD” for his governance of the ancient nation of Israel. Habakkuk laments to THE LORD but really to his earthly governing Lords, “I cry out to you, “Violence!” “Wicked” people abound. But THE LORD/the Lords, “do not intervene…there is strife, and clamorous discord” because of the violent criminals. … 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
The Old Testament, “Lord,” Yahweh, wears a MAGA hat: Make Atonement Great Again. Atonement asserts reparations or payments be made from the common people to “the Lord.” But by way of the earthly ‘Lords’ who took money from common people they judged as “depraved” and deserving of “the Lord’s wrath.” For that atonement price, 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 Babylonian gangs of soldiers making war against them and dividing them. Jeremiah does not blame the gangs of soldiers. Conversely, in the Gospel, Jesus is encouraging people for peaceful leadership. They will need it for the division ahead, “From now on a household of five will … Continue reading “Gunning For People”