When Jesus leaves his trade as a common laborer, he starts traveling as a preacher among mostly poor working people. He has very few things. What he does have he shares with others; his spirituality, his wisdom, his storytelling. Others share their gifts with him; home, hearth, food. Amidst this shared life, a man says … Continue reading “Wealth: Inherited or Shared”
Author: Editor
Teach Us to Pray
Jesus’ early disciples, as we meet them in the Gospel, are all adults. They include fishermen, homemakers, and tax collectors. They have learned trades and disciplines. They have also learned who God is and how to pray from their religious rulers. There is much they know. Then Jesus comes along. They do not entirely know … Continue reading “Teach Us to Pray”
The Beauty of Being Received
Jesus is visiting with his friends, Martha and Mary, in their home. Both are taking seriously their witness to hospitality. Martha expresses her hospitality by lifting from Jesus any concerns about nourishment; she prepares all the food and drink and serves him. It seems, however, that her attention is not so much toward Jesus as … Continue reading “The Beauty of Being Received”
Slow
In this Sunday’s Gospel a scholar is quick to drag Jesus into a debate on particulars of the Mosaic Law. Jesus shows little interest. He is more interested in moving the man’s heart toward compassionate living. Jesus’ responses to the man’s questions are therefore slow and thoughtful and centered on love. Jesus speaks of God … Continue reading “Slow”
Will We Live Our Dreams or Have Them Interpreted For Us?
We spend our childhoods and some restful moments dreaming. Those who would diminish our dreaming will tell us it is time to grow up or to wake up and stop our dreaming. But growing up or waking up does not stop our dreaming. We are simply given the chance to live out our dreams in … Continue reading “Will We Live Our Dreams or Have Them Interpreted For Us?”
Left Behind or Progressing Forward
Jesus is progressing forward in his mission of peace in this Sunday’s Gospel. He travels into Samaria which some of his followers think is enemy territory. After some Samaritans reject Jesus, two of his followers ask him, “Do you want us to call down fire from heaven against them?” Jesus lives and teaches love of … Continue reading “Left Behind or Progressing Forward”
Good Guys With Guns Killed Jesus
Jesus has a marked ability to ask life-changing questions. He asks one such question of Peter in this Sunday’s Gospel. “Who do you say that I am?” It is both a prayerful question in that it contemplates Divinity and a realistic one in that it considers human practicalities. Peter answers Divinely, “You are the Christ, … Continue reading “Good Guys With Guns Killed Jesus”
Does U.S. Culture Justify Rape?
Is there ever any justification for a man to treat a woman disrespectfully? A Pharisee in this Sunday’s Gospel thinks there is. The Pharisee considers himself just and judges others as unjust. He judges a woman who touches Jesus as unjust, meaning sinful. The “sinful woman” is less worthy than he. He is a supremacist, … Continue reading “Does U.S. Culture Justify Rape?”
Life after Death
Jesus’ heart is moved with compassion when he encounters a widow whose only son has just died. It is usually the case that people plead with Jesus, especially for healing. In this case, it is not words but the mother’s tears that form her plea and Jesus responds. He is touched by her grief, moved … Continue reading “Life after Death”
Why Jesus Started a Movement and Not a Religion
This Sunday’s readings give insight into the origins of religion. They also show the difference between religion and the People’s Movement Jesus started. Religion is a Latin word and consists of ‘re’ which means ‘again’ and ‘ligio’ which means ‘to bind’. The truth of religion being a ‘re-bind’ is seen in the first reading. In … Continue reading “Why Jesus Started a Movement and Not a Religion”