In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus is charged as a criminal and brought before Pilate. An additional man charged as a criminal and also held by Pilate is Barabbas, an insurrectionist. Why does Pilate, who manages Rome’s local police state, eventually release the criminal Barabbas and torture and murder Jesus instead? Is it possible that criminals … Continue reading “Criminals”
Author: Editor
Rule
Believers in the devil, some of whom call themselves Christian, think the creature has dominion over the earth. This Sunday’s Gospel proves such a belief is not Christian/Christ-like. Jesus says, “now the ruler of this world will be driven out.” If errant christians think the devil, sometimes called Satan, rules over earth then Jesus driving … Continue reading “Rule”
Snakes
Jesus makes a reference to an early snake practice in this Sunday’s Gospel. It refers to people being sick and looking upon a bronze snake to be healed: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may … Continue reading “Snakes”
What Militarism Whips Up
Jesus’ clearing of the Temple in this Sunday’s Gospel is grossly misinterpreted. Militarists misinterpret it as an act of violence. The misinterpretation allows their religion, Militarism, to maintain its oppressive rule over humanity, our hearts and minds. Militarism has no regard for the peacemaker Jesus of Nazareth. In this misinterpretation and others, they mis-characterize, disrespect, … Continue reading “What Militarism Whips Up”
Transfigured
Jesus’ Transfiguration reveals humanity glorified as Divine. The event involved Moses and Elijah. Both men have a previous association with a type of trans-figuring. They are Biblical promoters of Militarism. It is an ancient and still pervasive religion that trans-figured humanity. Militarism’s trans-figuring involved trans-figuring warlords into deities. These trans-figured warriors were then worshiped by … Continue reading “Transfigured”
Facing Our Demons
If we are fortunate, we will, like Jesus, be led by the Spirit into the desert. There, amidst all that seems barren, we will bloom. For it is in desert places that the externals we’ve built up and hide behind can be removed; status, privileges, ideologies, defenses. We are inclined to cling to these externals … Continue reading “Facing Our Demons”
Love
Jesus’ essence, throughout his encounters, revealed he was consistently loving. He exemplifies this in Sunday’s Gospel. A leper comes to Jesus. Cradled in this man’s heart is his desire to be healed. Jesus, from a heart moved with compassion, fulfills his desire. Love flowed forth. It was shared by the leper who was healed. It … Continue reading “Love”
Service
Service includes caring for those in need as Jesus does with those who are sick. It is Jesus’ encounters with those who are sick that shapes this Sunday’s Gospel. One of the sick people Jesus heals is Peter’s mother-in-law. Upon being healed she was then of service to the people gathered in their home. Jesus … Continue reading “Service”
Possession
Possession is of central importance in this Sunday’s Gospel. Jesus heals a possessed man and people are astonished at his authority to do so. Commentators on this and other Gospel stories of possession sometimes alter or dismiss the possession element. They suggest possession is a misunderstanding of mental illness. However, possession may in fact be … Continue reading “Possession”
A Fulfilling Peace
Jesus makes a proclamation in this Sunday’s Gospel. “This is the time of fulfillment. The Community of God is at hand.” By doing so Jesus shifts the meaning of fulfillment. His listeners had long been taught of a promise that was to be realized in a time of fulfillment. The promised fulfillment was that of … Continue reading “A Fulfilling Peace”