Pharisees ask Jesus a seemingly simple question about divorce, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” Jesus, as always, shifts the unspoken premise away from patriarchy. Patriarchy is devised by and for men; their rights and control – for example over property, which includes a wife. Jesus shifts the premise toward the … Continue reading “The Power of a Partner”
Blog
How Relevant is Jesus Christ to Christians?
Sunday’s first reading and Gospel are easily compared and contrasted. The first reading is from Numbers titled so because it numbers the men “fit for military service.” The men are unruly and as Moses has killed unruly people before he may again. This time Moses accepts that he needs more commanders for all the unruly … Continue reading “How Relevant is Jesus Christ to Christians?”
Courting Vulnerable Service
Jesus witnesses a life of service and is urging it for others, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Jesus’ witness is rejected by men who do not serve but instead rule. They will cause his violent death. He tells disciples this truth, he … Continue reading “Courting Vulnerable Service”
Pence-ive Theology?
While on a journey, Jesus is thoughtful with Peter and others about what the future holds. He shares with them the suffering and death unthoughtful rulers will sinfully inflict upon him, I “must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed.” “He spoke this openly.” Peter … Continue reading “Pence-ive Theology?”
Silence and Speech
A man who lives in silence, “a deaf man who has a speech impediment,” is brought to Jesus. His friends “beg Jesus to lay his hand on him” and heal him. Jesus does so by “putting his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue.” Jesus then says, “Be opened!” – and immediately … Continue reading “Silence and Speech”
Fake Saviors
In Sunday’s first reading, the ruler Moses is cast as a savior. He tells the people they will be saved if they are obedient to him. If not, it will be deadly for them, “that you may live … observe the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I am commanding you … (I) destroyed … Continue reading “Fake Saviors”
Sex Abuse
Subservience to supremacists is the unfortunate message of Sunday’s non-Gospel readings. The Old Testament reading glorifies people’s subservience to an earthly supremacist, Joshua, and to the heavenly supremacist, Yahweh, Joshua helped invent. Traveling among various tribes each with their invented deities, Joshua incites submission to Yahweh from the people, “If it does not please you … Continue reading “Sex Abuse”
Living Global, Eating Local
Jesus is revealing to the people the essence of Mystery, a God who is alive, evolving, becoming. He uses living metaphors to imagine this essential vitality of Divinity. For example, Jesus speaks of bread, also of drink and of shared meals. The deep meaningfulness of living, of being and feeling alive nourished by a vital … Continue reading “Living Global, Eating Local”
Which God Is Not Dead?
Jesus has recently fed over 5,000 people with a few loaves of bread. Using bread as a metaphor, he speaks with them about God. He recalls the old desert story of ancient ancestors who believed God gave them “bread from heaven.” Jesus reminds his listeners those ancestors died. Jesus then applies the Divine metaphor of … Continue reading “Which God Is Not Dead?”
Food Insecurity
People are concerned about being fed in this Sunday’s readings. The people of the Old Testament have risked escape from slavery in Egypt only to be near starvation in the desert. In the Gospel, thousands have been fed by Jesus. Still hungry, they risk pursuing him further. Jesus understands their hunger for food, and their … Continue reading “Food Insecurity”