Pentecost for peacemakers is easily contrasted with Militarism’s Memorial Day for citizens. On Pentecost, peacemakers remember Jesus was always bringing people together; sharing diversity, compassion, and friendship with people. On Memorial Day, citizens remember warriors who are always being pitted against other people; coercing tribalism, fighting, and being killed and/or killing opponents. Citizens are…
In this final week of the Easter season Jesus speaks of having been true to those given to him. He understands one, will not be true to him, Judas, the “son of destruction.” “I protected them… and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction.” Jesus’ protecting and…
Jesus’ witness as a loving and strong leader is apparent in this Sunday’s Gospel. He tells community members, “Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love … This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay…
Jesus’ role as a Good Shepherd is addressed in this Sunday’s Gospel. He loves those in his care and is willing to put his life in jeopardy should harm come to them. Jesus’ witness is that of a committed and loving friend and is distinguished from a hired hand who gives the appearance of…
If you’re ever looking for Jesus just follow the crumbs. Throughout his life he was always sharing meals with people. He dined with Pharisees, tax collectors, and prostitutes as well as the various men, women, and children of the villages he visited on his journeys. After his Resurrection, as this Sunday’s Gospel relates, Jesus…
Throughout his life Jesus gives testimony to a peaceful Way. His testimony was consistently rejected by the rulers of his time; so much so they put him to death. This Sunday’s Gospel shows that Jesus’ community accepted his testimony, in life and in life after life. Thus, as people received Jesus in life so…
A story is often told us but it is a false one: a supreme being is angry with a sinful humanity and wills their deserved suffering and death. The story is told by an ancient and still operative religion, Militarism. Militarism has a long history of projecting its War Lords into the heavens as…
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…