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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…
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Lenten Saints: Resurrected
Lent celebrates Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen his life witness. The Spirit guides Jesus throughout his life that devils cannot end. So too Oscar Romero is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen his life witness which devils too cannot end. Oscar was born into a…
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Lenten Saints: Crucified
Lent celebrates Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen his life witness. The Spirit guides Jesus while rulers who act as devils plot his end in a torturous and violent ‘Good’ Friday. Lisa Pilenko, later known as Mother Maria Skobtsova, is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen…
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Lenten Saints: Free
Lent celebrates Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen his life witness. At the end of his sojourn he is tempted by the devil. Nicolai Berdyaev is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen his life witness. He is tempted by the devil that is the Russian Revolution.…
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Lenten Saints: Seeing
Lent celebrates Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen his life witness. At the end of his sojourn he is tempted by the devil. Louse de Marillac is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to strengthen her life witness. She is tempted by the devil that is two competing…