Advent’s liturgical readings leading up to Jesus’ birth focus less on Mary and more on John the Baptist. Today’s reading on John focuses on how he relates to his body. John subjects his body to austere desert living, withholding basic needs from his body. John’s life style, asceticism, which neither Jesus nor Mary live, values … Continue reading “A Pro-Life Christmas: Our Bodies”
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A Pro-Life Christmas: Women
The season of Advent has arrived. Advent means arrival and thus during Advent peacemakers prepare with Mary for the arrival of her baby, Jesus. Except, liturgically speaking, based on the usual Gospel readings for the season, we do not. Little attention is given to Mary and instead to John the Baptist. How is it that … Continue reading “A Pro-Life Christmas: Women”
For What Was I Born?
Rulers who opposed Jesus from the beginning have had him forcibly arrested. He stands before Rome’s ruler for the territory, Pontius Pilate. Pilate assumes Jesus is some type of ruler, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus is not such a ruler, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did … Continue reading “For What Was I Born?”
Revolutionary Prayers
Sunday’s readings speak of troubled times; “unsurpassed in distress” and “tribulation.” Jesus speaks on these concerns from Jerusalem. Jerusalem is an outpost of the Roman Empire with soldiers who cause troubled times, distress, and tribulation. Jesus is a peacemaker who causes courage, calm, and well being. He is encouraging others to be that same courageous … Continue reading “Revolutionary Prayers”
Both Sides? Nope
Jesus is telling people to “beware of the scribes.” They like to “accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.” He also says they like to “devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers.” Jesus knows scribes exploit those who are vulnerable, for … Continue reading “Both Sides? Nope”
What is Our Consciousness?
Sunday’s readings show a consciousness about a culture’s laws. First there is a consciousness of the Ten Commandments, then consciousness of the Levitical priesthood and its many laws, and finally the consciousness of a scribe who questions Jesus about all law. The scribe, a legal scholar, asks Jesus, “Which is the first of all the … Continue reading “What is Our Consciousness?”
Survival of the Compassionate
Bartimaeus cannot see. He cannot see the beauty of the sunrise nor its setting. He cannot see that the flowers are a light lilac and the olives a deep green. He cannot see the faces of his loved ones. He can bask in the warmth of the sun. He can smell the flowers and taste … Continue reading “Survival of the Compassionate”
Warlords and Saints
Sunday’s first reading from the Old Testament opens by telling us, “The Lord was pleased to crush him.” What kind of Lord is so pleased? A War Lord. The reading goes on, “If he gives his life as an offering for sin … the will of the Lord will be accomplished.” What Lord’s will is … Continue reading “Warlords and Saints”
Wisdom: Conventional or Counter-cultural?
This Sunday’s readings are concerned with wisdom and its effects. Some of the wisdom is conventional, conveying generally accepted beliefs, opinions, and judgments. It can be contrasted with true wisdom that counters convention. The two wisdoms meet in the Gospel. A conventionally wise rich young man who glorifies rulers, their wealth and laws, seeks the … Continue reading “Wisdom: Conventional or Counter-cultural?”
The Power of a Partner
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”