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Molded by Scribes
“Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the Scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the market places, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.” The word scribe means “to write,” and signified the man who was the keeper of laws, accounts, and so…
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An Eve and A Day for Saints
In the Old Testament “Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Fear the Lord, your God, and observe… all his statutes and commandments.” In the Gospel when a scribe who is a follower of Moses asks Jesus about Moses’ commandments, Jesus does not tell people to “Fear.” He tells them only to “Love.” To those…
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Walking Away From War
The Old Testament writes that through the warrior Jacob, the War Lord Yahweh, “has delivered his people,” who will exalt at the head of nations.” “I guide them; I will lead” them and the people will walk in his way. The New Testament reading says “every high priest” offers blood “sacrifices for sins.” He…
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Lording Nuclear Annihilation
Two of Jesus’ followers desire the glory of rule and ask him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus then summons the others and says to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers lord it over them, and their…
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How Hard It Is For Those Who Have Wealth
A rich man is told by Jesus, “’Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard…
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Care-full and Play-full
The Pharisees do not so much care about people as they care about people obeying their laws. Jesus demonstrates care and cares that the Pharisees do not care. Jesus speaks about their lack of care to their face, “the hardness of your hearts.” Jesus then notices a hardness of hearts in his disciples, “People…
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Parents Who Will Not Receive a Child
Some disciples “had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.” In reply, Jesus, “taking a child, placed the child in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, ‘Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.’” However great we imagine we are,…
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Hail Hale
Jesus tells disciples, “The Son of Man will suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed.” Jesus knows how rulers, sickened with the religion of Militarism, operate. They dominate, abuse, and kill and coerce the soldiers they employ to do the same. Jesus knows they…
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Show No Partiality to the Rich
The Old Testament routinely shows partiality to the rich, since its writers believe wealth is a sign of God’s blessing. Poverty thus marks a person as cursed by God, a sinner. Jesus in the Gospel reverses the Old Testament. He shows no partiality to the rich. Their wealth is man-made from abusing the poor.…