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Showing Partiality
After Jesus is murdered by rulers of the Roman Empire, his disciples do their best to “love one another.” Disciples start expanding Jesus’ Community of God to diverse members and to expanding their love to those diverse members. Peter is struggling though. He is initially inclined to be loving and show partiality to those…
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Warrior Victims
The political rulers and their soldiers persecuted disciples after Jesus’ death. For example, Stephen’s persecutors “threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. They laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul,” a soldier persecutor. Saul had a conversion and was renamed Paul. Paul set a…
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Good Persons and Good Deeds
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said: “Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was healed, then all of you… should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified,…
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Making Peace Known
Jesus’ “two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way to Emmaus, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, Jesus stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” People who know Jesus know he spends his…
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A Community of One Heart and One Mind
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.” Early disciples put their lives in jeopardy to create a community of love and conscience. They were constantly targeted by divisive supporters of the Roman Empire…
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From Pain to Joy
“On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb… she ran and went to Simon Peter and another disciple.” ”Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.” Peter…
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Moral Exercise
Sunday’s Gospel spans Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem through to his crucifixion. Jesus has brought goodness to countless people, especially through his healings. When he enters Jerusalem, “many people spread their cloaks on the road,” in appreciation for that goodness. Jerusalem’s “chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin,” are not appreciative. They know Jesus’ goodness, his…
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Emotional Exercise
The Gospel for this time in Lent draws from Jesus nearing the end of his life. He has lived a compassionate and generous life though he has been met with vehement opposition by rulers. He understands the deadly intent of the rulers and yet he is still feeling forgiving and generous, “I say to…
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Social Exercise
“Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night” with questions about God. Jesus’ response speaks of “being born from above.” Also of “being born of water and Spirit.” Nicodemus is a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. It is similar to being a…
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Physical Exercise
Jesus does some necessary house cleaning in this Sunday’s Gospel. “Jesus found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, the sheep and oxen, and spilled the…