In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus promises the Spirit as a guide to truth. He tells disciples: “The Spirit of Truth will guide you to all truth.” The Spirit of Truth can be distinguished from the Law. Law can consist of doctrine or dogma meaning a set of rules or beliefs held as incontestable. Incontestable as … Continue reading “Spirit of Truth”
Author: Editor
Holy Energy: Worship or Inspiration
Christ’s Spirit, emphasized on Pentecost, celebrates an ongoing energy shift. It’s the energy shift away from worship – extracted energy, and toward inspiration – enlivening energy. Worship extracts energy by directing our energy outward. We direct our energy to an external unchanging deity and his earthly representatives. We seek in return a reward or an … Continue reading “Holy Energy: Worship or Inspiration”
Making Things Happen
So many things have been happening to disciples in a short number of days. They shared a festive meal but it was followed soon after by Jesus’ arrest. Amidst that chaos and pain an ear is severed, but then healed. A night of anguish is endured which is then followed by a day of torture … Continue reading “Making Things Happen”
Disturbing the Peace
Those disturbing the peace in Jesus’ time were the rulers. The rulers waged war on the people using capricious decisions, financial burdens, and punitive unto violent behaviors. Those restoring the peace included commoners like Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives peace do I give … Continue reading “Disturbing the Peace”
Love in the Concrete
A psychology professor who had no children would frequently reprove his neighbor for scolding her child: “You should love your child, not punish him.” One hot summer day the professor repaired his concrete driveway spending many hours of hard work on it. When finished he turned back on his accomplishment and out of the corner … Continue reading “Love in the Concrete”
Leading Sheep
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is designated as Good Shepherd Sunday. Its Gospel reading is drawn from Jesus’ teaching on the subject. Most commentaries on the subject assert good shepherds lead from the front. Others consider the possibly they lead from behind. Perhaps we might also consider that a good shepherd leads from among. A … Continue reading “Leading Sheep”
Love Amidst Challenge
“Do you love me?” I asked upon looking into the mirror in my youth. “Respect who you are.” “Do you love me?” they asked as I sought to join them. “Stand with us in our time of need.” “Do you love me?” he asked as we journeyed into marriage. “Be with me, for better, for … Continue reading “Love Amidst Challenge”
Beyond Justice and Mercy to Compassion
When Thomas professes a lack of faith in Jesus rising from the dead he’s actually professing faith in something else. Thomas already believes in justice and mercy, and their many gods. Justice is invented and dispensed by Militarists; chief priests, elders, Pilates, and other such gods. Their justice consists of writing unjust laws for the … Continue reading “Beyond Justice and Mercy to Compassion”
We Had to Rise
The Gospel according to John has a curious comment on the disciples’ amazement at Jesus’ Resurrection: “They did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” – Had to – We’ve all known our had to moments in life; I had to get the job, he had to come home … Continue reading “We Had to Rise”
Suffering and Violence: Reality and Fable
This Sunday’s long Gospel is about the suffering and violence inflicted upon Jesus. It describes his arrest, trial, torture, and murder. Scripture scholars usually sanctify the violence done to Jesus as in keeping with a ‘suffering servant’ character from Isaiah. Of Isaiah’s 1,292 verses, 30 are so titled. One sample ‘suffering servant’ verse is, “He … Continue reading “Suffering and Violence: Reality and Fable”