This Sunday’s first reading concerns the conversion of Saul to Paul, from being a persecutor of disciples to being a disciple. Saul has been befriended and healed by disciples in Damascus. He joins them in their fruitful ministry. Paul then feels the need to join with disciples in Jerusalem. But the Jerusalem disciples know Paul … Continue reading “Fruitful Care”
Author: Editor
There Is No Salvation
Peter has performed “a good deed done to a cripple.” He has healed him. Peter does not take credit for doing so. He says the man has been healed “in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean.” Peter then makes a statement that has unfortunately been twisted in its meaning. He says, “There is no … Continue reading “There Is No Salvation”
Whatever Became of Sin?
Jesus was realistic about sin. However, he did not spend too much time or energy on the sins committed by common people. He spent more time and energy on the sins committed by rulers. Their personal and social sins caused far more harm – to the people. The harm was apparent to Jesus’s own body … Continue reading “Whatever Became of Sin?”
A Beloved Community
Jesus’ Community of God is a revolutionary endeavor – to relate as equals, to be loving with one another, and to act as the creative healing power we are. Early disciples knew that for them to remain revolutionary amidst empire’s normal and opposite inequality, hatred, and violence they needed Community. Today’s second reading shows how … Continue reading “A Beloved Community”
The Challenge To Change
Mary Magdalene met the challenge to change. She had been driven mad by a mad world, mad with oppression, mad with suffering. Her mad way of coping with the madness needed to end. She needed to make changes if she was to have a new life. Moving from no longer insanely coping with demons of … Continue reading “The Challenge To Change”
The Challenge to Change Society
The Old Testament reading from Isaiah concerns the people’s infidelity. There is a question as to whether or not they can change and be faithful, especially in times of trial? One voice affirms that ability, “I have not rebelled, I have not turned back.” Personal encouragement to change in order to be faithful, especially in … Continue reading “The Challenge to Change Society”
The Challenge to Change Our Politics
Is politics a joke? “Mommy, I wanna grow up and become a politician. Well honey, which is it? You can’t do both.” Politics is the rule of the master class. Sunday’s Old Testament reading shows Jeremiah concerned with politics within the narrow confines of nationalism, his chosen people, the Hebrews, and their ruling deity, Yahweh. … Continue reading “The Challenge to Change Our Politics”
The Challenge To Change Our Values
Authors of the Old Testament portray Hebrews as the chosen people of their God, Yahweh. The chosen people value Yahweh in the same way they value the War Lords who invented him – he is their savior, their protector – as long as they are obedient. How then do authors explain the defeat of those … Continue reading “The Challenge To Change Our Values”
The Challenge to Change Our Leaders
Scripture scholars treat Moses and his deity, Yahweh, as leaders. Moses is a military leader, a War Lord, as is the Yahweh deity he invented. They dominate, inflict suffering, and kill. Their military leadership is evident in Sunday’s first reading concerning the 10 Commandments. From Yahweh, “I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, … Continue reading “The Challenge to Change Our Leaders”
The Challenge to Change Religion
Sunday’s first reading concerns child sacrifice. Yahweh wants Abraham to murder his young son, Isaac, as a test of faith. Will Abraham offer his son in a blood sacrifice ritual for Yahweh? It turns out that Abraham will. At the last moment, however, Yahweh stops Abraham but commends his willingness to obey the violent command. … Continue reading “The Challenge to Change Religion”