While Jesus was “dining at the home of one of the leading Pharisees” he told them a parable about humility, “When you are invited (to a banquet) go and take the lowest place.” “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” “Be humble.” Humble means of the earth. To … Continue reading “Needing Everything, Needing Nothing”
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Freedom of Expression
In the Old Testament reading, tribal War Lords, earthly ones who projected themselves into the heavens, want their glory acclaimed by all; “I will send men out to… proclaim my glory among nations.” The War Lords want their believers to “bring all the nations as an offering to the LORD.” Nonbelievers who do not glory … Continue reading “Freedom of Expression”
Blazing Love
Jesus tells disciples, “I have come to light a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze.” Jesus lights a fire of love, as do disciples. Such love blazes wild, spreading to Samaritans, those who are prostitutes, tax collectors, poor, ill, wayward, and so many more. Love challenges imperialists, of Rome, … Continue reading “Blazing Love”
Inexhaustible Treasure That We Are
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”
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 Sarah for some sin she must have committed. Sarah suffers deep shame as a result. That Sarah is yet to … 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”