Lately, I’ve had the sense I’m upside down. No one has told me this, I just have the sense I am. Shall I be so forever? Will this existence here be my existence forever? Shall this home be my only home? I think not. I can conceive of so much more, for I keep changing. … Continue reading “Inside Edition: Jesus and All Babies”
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The Myth of Chosen Ones
People who believe they are ‘Chosen Ones’ are undertaking a violent coup. They believe their mythical warrior deity, ‘the Lord,’ has unchosen Saul as King and chosen David. “(T)he LORD said to David, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.” Soldiers will switch their allegiance from one king to another. … Continue reading “The Myth of Chosen Ones”
What in God’s Name?
Jesus is naming the many terrors rulers always devise and challenging us about them. Be peacemakers during the terror of rulers and their soldiers who will always devise “wars and insurrections.” Be conscientious when rulers and their soldiers devise for “nation to rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,” as they always do. Be courageous … Continue reading “What in God’s Name?”
The Deadly Just War Religion
The family Maccabees refuses to obey a foreign War Lord, King Antiochus IV. Antiochus was outlawing Jewish religious traditions and forcing the family to obey Greek ones, for example, the deadly just war tradition. Thus the king “slaughtered” many; “in the space of three days, eighty thousand were lost.” But the Maccabees’ Jewish religious traditions … Continue reading “The Deadly Just War Religion”
The Point of Our View
When Jesus was passing through Jericho “he looked up” and saw Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus had “climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus.” Zacchaeus had to change his point of view in order to see Jesus, to encounter him. He could not do so from his original point of view, it rendered him short-sighted. His short-sighted point … Continue reading “The Point of Our View”
Is Love A Folly?
Jesus has encounters with people “who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.” In today’s Gospel he tells of a Pharisee who is praying nearby to a despised and humble tax collector who “stood off at a distance … and prayed” for “mercy.” The Pharisee’s prayer is, “O God, I thank you … Continue reading “Is Love A Folly?”
Creating a Faithful Climate
While addressing the importance of persisting in faith, Jesus tells the story of a widow. She has strong faith in her position against an “adversary” in a corrupt system harming her. The judge deciding her case is corrupt, reflecting the corrupt system. Even so, she is unrelenting in petitioning the judge for fairness, “Render a … Continue reading “Creating a Faithful Climate”
Contagious Diseases
Jesus is traveling through a region known as Samaria. The people living there are viewed as enemies. On the way, “ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus! Have compassion on us!” Jesus does have compassion and he heals them; “they were cleansed.” The ten individuals … Continue reading “Contagious Diseases”
Criminals with Guns
The prophet Habakkuk is upset with “THE LORD” for his governance of the ancient nation of Israel. Habakkuk laments to THE LORD but really to his earthly governing Lords, “I cry out to you, “Violence!” “Wicked” people abound. But THE LORD/the Lords, “do not intervene…there is strife, and clamorous discord” because of the violent criminals. … Continue reading “Criminals with Guns”
Foundations
Jesus’ parable about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus, sets the foundation for wisdom about rich and poor, “There was a rich man who dressed in … fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus … who would gladly have eaten … … Continue reading “Foundations”