Prayer is the loving communion we all share with God. Jesus embodied and shared that loving communion at the heart of prayer. He tells a parable of a Pharisee and a tax collector in this Sunday’s Gospel to exemplify his witness. Jesus tells the parable to explain the difference between his own witness of prayer … Continue reading “Bringing People to Prayer”
Author: Editor
Pesky Widows
Pesky widows are a power to be reckoned with. I know. I had a pesky widow for a mother. Jesus’ choice of a pesky widow with a legal concern in this Sunday’s parable extolling prayer is intriguing. It is a remarkable reversal of the Old Testament example of a pray-er who is extolled. The Old … Continue reading “Pesky Widows”
Gratitude
Gratitude is showing appreciation, for life in general or for a kindness done to us or a benefit received. A leper shows gratitude in this Sunday’s Gospel. Jesus comes upon 10 lepers and tells them, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” It seems a fool’s errand. Priests do not receive unclean people but are responsible … Continue reading “Gratitude”
Faith
Faith is more than what various Old Testament authors would have us believe. For example the prophet Habakkuk writes during a time of trouble, “Why do you not intervene, Lord?” Habakkuk would have us believe faith is believing in a distant deity we want to have help us in a time of need. Jesus describes … Continue reading “Faith”
Capitalism
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.” Capitalism is defined as a financial … Continue reading “Capitalism”
Foresight
Foresight is mental preparedness. It focuses disciples on the Community of God. Our foresight about the Community of God can be diverted by such things as wealth. In the Old Testament wealth tends to be seen from the point of view of those who have it. They believe it is a blessing from God. The … Continue reading “Foresight”
Mercy and Compassion
Some diversions from Christ Jesus’ Way are obvious, others more subtle. Worshipping a golden calf, today’s first reading, would fit the obvious category. Losing ourselves to a life of greed, abuse, or various superficialities would as well. What about subtle diversions? Diversions so slight we are unaware of having gone astray. Years go by, even … Continue reading “Mercy and Compassion”
Wisdom
Wisdom is an important virtue. It is the ability to make good decisions and the willingness to carry out those decisions. A wise person determines what is most good and the best way to achieve it. Such a person tends to be caring and practical and is thus concerned about safety but they are not … Continue reading “Wisdom”
Humility
Jesus is encouraging humility in this Sunday’s Gospel. The word humility is derived from humus, meaning of the earth. It describes our way of being grounded, of being in touch with reality. Humility means we know who we are as children of one human family. We know this same truth of others. Humility, therefore, describes … Continue reading “Humility”
Salvation
Our understanding of salvation has been distorted by atonement theology. Atonement theology has two basic premises. The first is that we are all sinners estranged from God who need saving. The second premise is that as sinners salvation is not in our power to effect but only in God’s control offered to a select few. … Continue reading “Salvation”