Jesus said to his disciples, the “Community of God… is an inexhaustible treasure… where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Jesus’ Community of God is a Peoples Movement with a three-fold inexhaustible treasure: we relate in communion, are essentially loving, and practice creative healing power. Unfortunately, we can be diverted from our … Continue reading “Inexhaustible Treasure That We Are”
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Possessing a War Bonnet
Ecclesiastes tells us, “All things are vanity! Here is one who has labored.. and yet to another must leave his property and possessions.” In the Gospel Jesus responds to a man worried about his property and possessions by telling him, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life … Continue reading “Possessing a War Bonnet”
Sensible Gun Control
“In those days, the LORD said: “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave,” I am set to “wipe out the place.” Abraham begs his Lord, “Will you spare the place for the sake of the innocent?… if there are fifty,” “forty,” “ten?” Unfortunately, Abraham learned the Lord will … Continue reading “Sensible Gun Control”
Genuine or Constructed
Sarah, in today’s Old Testament reading, has yet to give birth to a child. She is judged by the society surrounding her as cursed by God. God is believed to be inflicting this suffering upon her for some sin. Sarah suffers deep shame as a result. That Sarah is yet to give birth to a … Continue reading “Genuine or Constructed”
When Does Life Begin?
Jesus’ listeners choose to dehumanize Samaritans. Jesus knows this when he is teaching, “Love God… and love your neighbor as yourself.” Thus, when a listener asks, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus asserts, It is “a Samaritan.” Choosing to dehumanize human life is an element of the ancient and still prevalent religion of Militarism. The religion … Continue reading “When Does Life Begin?”
Lambs Convert Wolves
“At that time Jesus appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him.” “‘Go on your way. Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves… Behold, I have given you power.’” Lambs are gentle and vulnerable. They tend to stay close together, shoulder to shoulder, in a community. We see lambs with shepherds but … Continue reading “Lambs Convert Wolves”
A Cache of Life-Giving Energy
Jesus was “determined to journey to Jerusalem’ and on the way “entered a Samaritan village.” “They would not welcome him.” “When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?’ Jesus turned and rebuked them, and He said, “You do not … Continue reading “A Cache of Life-Giving Energy”
Fair Trade
Jesus has been preaching to thousands who are now hungry. The disciples tell Jesus, “‘Five loaves and two fish are all we have.’ Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, Jesus said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the … Continue reading “Fair Trade”
Religious Role, Human Vocation
“Jesus said to disciples, “The Spirit… will glorify me, (to) take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine.” The concept of the Trinity, which includes making Jesus God, is developed over time by ruling patriarchs. The author of John’s Gospel, which is today’s reading for the … Continue reading “Religious Role, Human Vocation”
Noise to Move Us
“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.” “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues… (People) from every nation… gathered in a large crowd… (and) each one … Continue reading “Noise to Move Us”