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Living Under Threats
In Exodus, Lord Yahweh is wrathful and threatening death, “You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians.” In Romans, Paul, relays that same Lord Yahweh, wrathful and murderous, “while we were still sinners Christ died for us… (and we) will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.” Jesus frees…
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The Flesh and Blood of Magnifica Humanitas
A reading from the Gospel according to John, which tends to magnify Jesus’ flawless and perfect divinity, is used on today’s Feast of Corpus Christi which tends to magnify Jesus’ flesh and blood humanity, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” The magnificence of the Incarnation, divinity enfleshed, continues to inspire.…
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Trinity: A More Perfect Union?
Today’s Gospel according to John, used to celebrate the Trinity, tells us, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son… Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned.” Perhaps the Gospel condemnation means to a less meaningful life. Supremacists within institutional Christianity…
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Rededicate Pentecost
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on…
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Are We A Danger to the System?
At Jesus’ Ascension he promises disciples, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took…
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I Live and You Will Live – in Love
Jesus is speaking to disciples who have witnessed his loving Way. He tells them “I will ask Abba” to “give you” the Spirit, an “Advocate to be with you always.” “I will not leave you orphans… I live and you will live.” In Acts, the disciple Philip keeps Jesus’ loving Spirit alive in an…
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Interpreting Words or Doing Works
In the Gospel, Jesus urges disciples to believe in him and do his works, “I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do.” In Acts, belief and works continued to grow and thus “the number of disciples continued to grow.” However, a dozen disciples, referred to as The…
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Who You Crucify
Jesus is known as a man of peace. In John’s Gospel he is likened to a caring shepherd, “the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his sheep by name and leads them.” Jesus’ gentleness with people is contrasted to men of war. Such men are likened to “thieves and robbers,” who “comes…
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Journeys to Emmaus and Back
Shortly after his crucifixion, “two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from…
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Awe Came Upon Everyone
The Gospel tells us that Jesus appears to disciples after the Resurrection and they are filled with “awe.” Thomas missed that first resurrection appearance. Later, Jesus draws him close, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side.” Thomas too is filled with “awe.” Much…