Jesus gives escalating verbal strategies for speaking up to harmful believers. First, he advises speaking the truth, “If your brother sins… tell him his fault.” Next, expand your courage, “If he does not listen, take others along (to) establish” facts. If he’s still unchanging, Jesus advises speaking up publicly, “Tell the church.” His final…
Worldly rulers are delusional about Jesus. They believe they need to protect themselves from him; a man who unifies, loves, and heals. Jesus understands their delusion and its violent intent. He tells disciples, “I will suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed.” Peter’s response shows he is…
When an Old Testament ruler, “Shebna, master of the palace,” is stripped of his authority, his “keys” are transferred over to another. That transfer is important to this Sunday’s Gospel account of Simon Peter recognizing Jesus as Christ. Jesus, to distinguish the Old way from his New way, responds by giving “keys” to Simon…
Identity politics is as old as the Old Testament. Identity politics is defined as “a tendency for people of a particular religion, race, etc., to form exclusive political alliances.” The definition fits the chosen people of the Old Testament. They repeatedly formed exclusive political alliances; always around their status as chosen people of Yahweh.…
Jesus is caught in a storm at sea in today’s Gospel and tells disciples to have faith. Years later, Paul says he has faith in Jesus and writes letters after Jesus has already established the Community of God for all people. However, in Paul’s writings there is a sinking feeling he doubts both Jesus…
Jesus is Transfigured before the very eyes of three of his disciples. They see his face shine radiant like the sun and his clothes become dazzling white. They watch him instruct two ancient figures on the Transfiguration of humanity, away from an ancient figure of a War Lord and toward an eternal figure of…
Is the Kingdom of God Jesus is describing and establishing here on earth a treasure; is it a pearl of great price, maybe a net, or perhaps a person caring for a home – and how is it so? It is all and more and each of Jesus’ metaphors is worthy of its own…
The Old Testament includes a well-known belief in a chosen people with a deity who intercedes for them. They are distinguished from other people who are not chosen and against whom that same deity inflicts punishment. Paul repeats the Old belief in Sunday’s second reading. Fortunately, Jesus gives us a wholly different Gospel message…
Jesus paints a picture with words about a sower and seeds thrown to a blustering breeze. We see the seeds carried first by a hand and then by a wind and watch them as they fall to the earth that receives them. More than seeing a farmer, a kernel, and a field, we ourselves…
Who are the people who wait for rulers to come and save them? It seems the Hebrews are such people. It’s a reoccurring theme in the Old Testament and part of this Sunday’s first reading, “shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek,…