“Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is how it is with the Community of God; it is as if a farmer were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, but the farmer knows not how. Of its own … Continue reading “Seeds of Life”
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Leaving Militarism
Today’s reading from Exodus says Moses, Aaron, and other warlords “sacrifice young bulls as peace offerings to the Lord.” They did so believing the “Lord” would then not sacrifice them, “the Lord did not lay a hand on these chosen Israelites.” The reading from Hebrews tells us Jesus’ “own blood” is “sacrificed” to the “Lord.” … Continue reading “Leaving Militarism”
DeMoralize the Police
Jesus addresses disciples, “Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” Jesus’ address is often called the ‘The Great Commission.’ Persons he has helped shape as peacemakers are sent out to give authoritative witness to the Way of communion, love, and … Continue reading “DeMoralize the Police”
Joyful Homemaking
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.” “Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Spirit.” There gathered a large crowd of “Parthians, Medes and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, … Continue reading “Joyful Homemaking”
Truth about the Big Lie
Jesus tells disciples that, like himself, they “do not belong to the world” of rulers. Jesus also tells them truth does not belong to the world of rulers either, so Jesus “consecrates them in truth.” Rulers not being ‘consecrated in truth’ explains Trump’s 30,000+ lies. One type of lie is opinion. Not to be confused … Continue reading “Truth about the Big Lie”
Love: Essence and Emotion
Jesus confirms love is essential for peacemakers, “Remain in my love… I have told you so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment, love one another as I love you.” Love is more than a personal emotion shown only to family or like-minded people. Love … Continue reading “Love: Essence and Emotion”
A New Normal: Social Health
Jesus said to his disciples, I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in them, will bear much fruit.” Bearing fruit is a metaphor indicative of health; physical, psychological, spiritual. Producing sickness is indicative of the exact opposite. A terrible sickness, abnormal in that it is a pandemic, has … Continue reading “A New Normal: Social Health”
Civilians
Jesus calls himself “the Good Shepherd.” He contrasts that witness with a hired man, “A hired man… whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them.” Institutional christianity is the hired man in the story above. It is unfortunately hired … Continue reading “Civilians”
Changed By Our Adventures
In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter is remembering Jesus, but his death, “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob… has brought to fulfillment… that his son would suffer.” Peter uses Jesus’ death to encourage change, “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” Peter … Continue reading “Changed By Our Adventures”
Healing Scars
“Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the others when Jesus” appeared to them after his Resurrection. Thomas “said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’” “A week … Continue reading “Healing Scars”