Jesus’ suffering and death is detailed in this final week of Lent. It is excruciating and it is intentionally inflicted. The pain of it all is expressed by Jesus throughout; the agony in the garden, his betrayal by Judas, being arrested, being tortured, being murdered. It is excruciating for his loved ones who witness the … Continue reading “Grieving”
Author: Editor
Betrayal of Conscience
Betrayal is an old story. It is the story in Sunday’s Gospel in which a woman has betrayed a marriage. She is caught in the act of adultery, and, without her male partner, is forced into the street. Jesus does something unusual by how he relates with the woman. He humanizes her and frees her … Continue reading “Betrayal of Conscience”
Humiliated as Property
Feeling humiliated as a piece of property weaves through this Sunday’s readings. The Israelites feel humiliated as slaves in Egypt, owned as property. Unfortunately, these ex-slaves then conquer and humiliate other people as slaves in “the land of Canaan” and own them as property. Jesus highlights the feeling by telling a parable of a rich … Continue reading “Humiliated as Property”
Land
Love for the land is apparent in this Sunday’s readings. Moses believes the land on which he stands “is holy ground.” He believes he and his people will be led “into a good and spacious land,” a land that is fertile, fruitful. In the Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about land. It has an orchard … Continue reading “Land”
Why Do Some People Keep Killing Other People?
Abram is a man who believes many things. For example, he believes in a violent deity, “the Lord.” He believes that believing in the “Lord” is “credited to him as an act of righteousness.” He believes the “Lord” rewards his righteousness with “land as a possession.” He will gain a nation. Abram believes killing to … Continue reading “Why Do Some People Keep Killing Other People?”
Hunger
Hungry people are the concern of the readings from this First Sunday in Lent. First, people fleeing Pharaoh into the desert are hungry. Their hunger eventually ends when, after fighting divisive and destructive wars for it, they gain “land flowing with milk and honey.” Next, Jesus has been 40 days in the desert, “He ate … Continue reading “Hunger”
From the Heart the Mouth Speaks
Two little kids, aged eight and six, decide it’s time they started swearing. So, the eight-year-old says to the six-year-old, “Okay, I’ll say ‘hell’ and you say ‘damn” All excited about their plan, they head downstairs, where their mother asks them what they’d like for breakfast.“‘Aw, hell,” says the eight-year-old, ‘gimme some Cheerios.’” His mother … Continue reading “From the Heart the Mouth Speaks”
Courage of Christ, Cowardice of Soldiers
Jesus’ Golden Rule from today’s Gospel, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” is compared with Buddhism’s “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find harmful.” It is also compared with Judaism’s “What is hateful to you do not do to your fellow man.” There is another ‘rule’ from … Continue reading “Courage of Christ, Cowardice of Soldiers”
Blessings
A man with lipstick on his collar who smelled of gin stumbled into a mostly empty church and sat next to a priest who was saying prayers in the front row. He took out a newspaper and began reading. “Shay, Father, what caushes arthritish?” The priest, none too happy with his pew partner said, “Mister, … Continue reading “Blessings”
Being Spoiled Isn’t Kid’s Stuff
Jesus has a gift for words and is a highly sought-after teacher. His words, which he gives away freely, attract great crowds as in this Sunday’s Gospel. He is never shown letting the people’s attention spoil him. Nor does he express feelings of entitlement. He never expects others to please him or serve him because … Continue reading “Being Spoiled Isn’t Kid’s Stuff”