Filled with Pentecostal Spirit, peacemakers start enlivening people stifled by the oppressive Roman Empire. They enliven people with Jesus’ “Community of God” – a way of communion, love, and creative healing power. They enliven it far and wide among diverse people but are persecuted for doing so. Gospel and non-Gospel accounts record the persecution. It … Continue reading “Do We All Want the Same Things?”
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Are We Successful Peacemakers?
Sunday’s Gospel and reading from Acts describe Jesus’ Ascension. He is encouraging disciples for their new life in the Spirit. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my living witnesses.” Jesus’ living witness is the peaceful “Kingdom of God.” He is encouraging their success in continuing to … Continue reading “Are We Successful Peacemakers?”
Why Are Soldiers Not Christ-like?
Jesus is noteworthy as a loving person, especially with people rulers outcast. More noteworthy is Jesus loving those outcasts in the very presence of those rulers – who then actively oppress Jesus for doing so. Jesus’ love is thus a consistently courageous love. Jesus is so consistently courageous in his love that he even loves … Continue reading “Why Are Soldiers Not Christ-like?”
Fruitful Care
This Sunday’s first reading concerns the conversion of Saul to Paul, from being a persecutor of disciples to being a disciple. Saul has been befriended and healed by disciples in Damascus. He joins them in their fruitful ministry. Paul then feels the need to join with disciples in Jerusalem. But the Jerusalem disciples know Paul … Continue reading “Fruitful Care”
There Is No Salvation
Peter has performed “a good deed done to a cripple.” He has healed him. Peter does not take credit for doing so. He says the man has been healed “in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean.” Peter then makes a statement that has unfortunately been twisted in its meaning. He says, “There is no … Continue reading “There Is No Salvation”
Whatever Became of Sin?
Jesus was realistic about sin. However, he did not spend too much time or energy on the sins committed by common people. He spent more time and energy on the sins committed by rulers. Their personal and social sins caused far more harm – to the people. The harm was apparent to Jesus’s own body … Continue reading “Whatever Became of Sin?”
A Beloved Community
Jesus’ Community of God is a revolutionary endeavor – to relate as equals, to be loving with one another, and to act as the creative healing power we are. Early disciples knew that for them to remain revolutionary amidst empire’s normal and opposite inequality, hatred, and violence they needed Community. Today’s second reading shows how … Continue reading “A Beloved Community”
The Challenge To Change
Mary Magdalene met the challenge to change. She had been driven mad by a demon world that subjected her to madness; the madness of oppression, the madness of suffering. Her mad way of coping with that madness needed to end. She needed to die to that old madness if she was to have a new … Continue reading “The Challenge To Change”
The Challenge to Change Society
The Old Testament reading from Isaiah concerns the people’s infidelity. There is a question as to whether or not they can change and be faithful, especially in times of trial? One voice affirms that ability, “I have not rebelled, I have not turned back.” Personal encouragement to change in order to be faithful, especially in … Continue reading “The Challenge to Change Society”
The Challenge to Change Our Politics
Is politics a joke? “Mommy, I wanna grow up and become a politician. Well honey, which is it? You can’t do both.” Politics tends to be the rule of the master class and reflects religious nationalism. Sunday’s Old Testament reading shows Jeremiah concerned with politics, but only within the narrow confines of his chosen people, … Continue reading “The Challenge to Change Our Politics”