Jesus is revealing to the people the essence of Mystery, a God who is alive, evolving, becoming. Jesus uses living metaphors to imagine the essential vitality of Divinity. For example, Jesus speaks of bread, also of drink and of shared meals. The deep meaningfulness of living, of being and feeling alive nourished by a vital … Continue reading “Living Global, Eating Local”
Author: Editor
Which God Is Not Dead?
Jesus has recently fed over 5,000 people with a few loaves of bread. Using bread as a metaphor, he speaks with them about God. He recalls the old desert story of ancient ancestors who believed God gave them “bread from heaven.” Jesus reminds his listeners those ancestors died. Jesus then applies the Divine metaphor of … Continue reading “Which God Is Not Dead?”
Food Insecurity
People are concerned about being fed in this Sunday’s readings. The people of the Old Testament have risked escape from slavery in Egypt but fear they will not be fed as they journey through the desert. In the Gospel, thousands have been fed by Jesus. Still hungry, they risk pursuing him further. Jesus understands their … Continue reading “Food Insecurity”
Great and Small
Jesus is travelling throughout small villages of ancient Palestine. He is an intimate man, touching people’s lives. People begin following him. In Sunday’s Gospel it is recorded that more than 5,000 people have been with him all day. He is concerned with the ever so intimate need of getting “food for them to eat.” It … Continue reading “Great and Small”
Conscience and Consequence
The disciples have recently returned from sharing Jesus’ Way of communion, love, and healing power with people. One consequence is disciples being targeted for persecution. Another consequence is disciples being targeted for acclaim. Thus, Jesus says to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest.” He does not want disciples to lose … Continue reading “Conscience and Consequence”
Peacemaking Pioneers
Jesus is sending out disciples to spread his Way. His is the Way of communion and so he sends out people in pairs to nurture community. His is the Way of compassionate love and so he sends out people who are poor to nurture vulnerability. His is the Way of creativity and so he sends … Continue reading “Peacemaking Pioneers”
Shaming
Jesus is preaching and healing on the Sabbath in his hometown synagogue. Many are “astonished” but rulers “took offense at him.” Rulers are offended by his integrity; preaching independent of their judgments. They are offended by his power; healing people they oppress. Rulers do not like people who dare to challenge their oppressive system. It … Continue reading “Shaming”
Faith or Fear
Jesus encounters fear in two persons he meets along his journey. One is a woman who fears being detected in public. She is stricken with a persistent flow of blood and to be in public is to be threatened with harm. The woman faces her fear. She risks a dangerous move. In a crowd, she … Continue reading “Faith or Fear”
Born and Unborn
Sunday’s readings celebrate John the Baptist and the sanctity of his life. They speak much of wombs; “The Lord called me…from my mother’s womb.” The Lord “formed me as his servant from the womb.” “(Y)ou knit me in my mother’s womb.” “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant (John) leaped in her womb.” It is … Continue reading “Born and Unborn”
Violating Borders
Sunday’s first reading uses a dominating tree to symbolize their God, Yahweh. The tree represents Yahweh’s protected empire and the submission all will pay to the deity, “Every tree of the field will know that I am the Lord.” Jesus has no interest in empires, their borders, or their violent warlords who protect and sanctify … Continue reading “Violating Borders”