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From the Heart the Mouth Speaks
Two little kids, aged eight and six, decide it’s time they started swearing. So, the eight-year-old says to the six-year-old, “Okay, I’ll say ‘hell’ and you say ‘damn” All excited about their plan, they head downstairs, where their mother asks them what they’d like for breakfast.“‘Aw, hell,” says the eight-year-old, ‘gimme some Cheerios.’” His…
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Courage of Christ, Cowardice of Soldiers
Jesus’ Golden Rule from today’s Gospel, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” is compared with Buddhism’s “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find harmful.” It is also compared with Judaism’s “What is hateful to you do not do to your fellow man.” There is another ‘rule’…
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Blessings
A man with lipstick on his collar who smelled of gin stumbled into a mostly empty church and sat next to a priest who was saying prayers in the front row. He took out a newspaper and began reading. “Shay, Father, what caushes arthritish?” The priest, none too happy with his pew partner said,…
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Being Spoiled Isn’t Kid’s Stuff
Jesus has a gift for words and is a highly sought-after teacher. His words, which he gives away freely, attract great crowds as in this Sunday’s Gospel. He is never shown letting the people’s attention spoil him. Nor does he express feelings of entitlement. He never expects others to please him or serve him…
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Special Love
While at Synagogue, Jesus reveals a God whose love is for all people. His revelation angers the men there who believe they are the special love of a special God. Jesus reminds the men of two foreigners who helped Israelites in the past and were spared. His reminders don’t help, “When the people in…
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Free and Fulfilled
“Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly.” They were just returning home after a long captivity. Ezra stood “on a wooden platform” “higher up than any of the people.” The people “bowed down and prostrated themselves …(and) Ezra read plainly from the Book of the Law of God.” Centuries later Jesus stands…
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Love: Special or Realistic
Sunday’s first reading from Isaiah expresses the special love “the Lord” has for Israel, “as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you.” “The Lord” promises vindication for his special love, “No more shall people call you “Forsaken, or your land “Desolate.” The vindication seems outsized for the tiny…
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Beginning With Peace
Sunday’s readings begin with a passage from Isaiah referred to as the Suffering Servant. It tells of one who will fight to “bring forth justice to the nations.” He will not “cry out” nor “shout,” “until he establishes justice on the earth.” Jesus’ Gospel reading begins with people hopeful for a new just one.…
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All Stories Are True and Some of Them Really Happened
The story is told of three wise ones who seek a baby. They have seen his star rising in the East and wish “to do him homage.” They share their intention with the ruler of the land to which they travel, Herod, a most unwise man. Herod will not do homage to a child…
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Minding Our Children and Hearting Them Too
Mary and Joseph with their young son Jesus are travelling to Jerusalem with extended family. Across centuries of such family trips two essentials are conveyed; enjoy and stay safe. We genuinely mean the first one but usually in the context of the second one. Safety tends to be paramount and thus we say to…