Lent celebrates Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen his life witness. At the end of his sojourn he is tempted by the devil. Fr. Engelmar Unzeitig is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen his life witness. He is tempted by the devil that is Nazi Germany during … Continue reading “Lenten Saints: Transfigured”
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Lenten Saints: Courage
Lent celebrates Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen his life witness. At the end of his sojourn he is tempted by the devil. Hans and Sophie Scholl are led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen their life witness. They are tempted by the devil that is Nazi Germany. … Continue reading “Lenten Saints: Courage”
The Rule of Law is a False God
The Old Testament reading from Sirach glorifies the rule of law, telling people, “If you choose, you can keep the Lord’s commandments, they will save you.” The reading from Psalm 119 also glorifies the rule of law, using various synonyms across its many verses such as precepts, statutes, commandments, and judgments. The psalm extends a … Continue reading “The Rule of Law is a False God”
On Love For the Poor
Jesus has a message of love for all people whom ‘Godly’ rulers make poor, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to … Continue reading “On Love For the Poor”
Is Hope a Blessing, a Curse?
In today’s Gospel Jesus is blessing people who are, like him, oppressed. They are oppressed into poverty; oppressed into mourning; oppressed into alienation; into submission; into cruelty; into heartlessness, into warmaking; into persecution. What does a blessing matter to people oppressed by the master class? Does it give them hope to endure their oppression, maybe … Continue reading “Is Hope a Blessing, a Curse?”
Rivals or Neighbors
In Isaiah, the Lord God declares that the Chosen people shall soon “rejoice” in victory, “as people make merry when dividing spoils” in war. Rival Assyrians, foreigners, will be crushed. It will happen when the Chosen warriors trust in their Lord God and stop trusting in the foreigners. Foreigners, especially those living among them, scam … Continue reading “Rivals or Neighbors”
Obeying the ICE-Cold Will of God
The Old Testament relays a belief in the will of God and our duty to obey it. Isaiah believes in the importance of obeying the “will” of God to make his Chosen nation the “salvation” of all the nations. The Gospel reading instead addresses the freedom associated with Jesus. John the Baptist is reminding us … Continue reading “Obeying the ICE-Cold Will of God”
Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved
“After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved.” A Spirit in the form of … Continue reading “Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved”
Darkness of Our Time Eclipsed by Light
“Magi from the east… seek the newborn king.” “We saw his star at its rising” they tell King Herod. “King Herod was greatly troubled.” He believes Jesus wants his throne and will fight him to keep it. Herod plans to kill the child. From the Gospel we know of the darkness the warmaker King Herod … Continue reading “Darkness of Our Time Eclipsed by Light”
Gathering a Holy Family
The Gospel tells us Jesus is born into a world made divisive, abusive, and deadly by rulers. The rulers are dominating the people, threatening Magi, and killing children. Jesus’ father, Joseph, understands the danger. He gathered his family together “and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.” Given the history … Continue reading “Gathering a Holy Family”