On this Feast that errantly celebrates the Exaltation of the Cross, Paul of Tarsus teaches that though “Jesus was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave… becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because … Continue reading “Trump and Kirk: Obedient to Death”
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Plans for the Department of War
An old adage suggests that if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. But Militarists who invented the mirror-image God who laughs at our plans, tell us their plans for us all the time. The plans of Militarists fill today’s readings. The Militarist Solomon asserts, “Lord, You have chosen me king over … Continue reading “Plans for the Department of War”
MAGA is Making Eugenics Great Again
“Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the great Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to” them about “how they were choosing the places of greatness at the table.” He concluded his parable describing their dehumanizing supremacy by sharing wisdom about communion, “He said to … Continue reading “MAGA is Making Eugenics Great Again”
Ghislaine MAGA
The Old Testament reading says the people should be “an offering to the LORD.” It means the people should live their lives in sacrifice to the Lord. If they do so, the Lord will save them from their “enemies.” In the Gospel “Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went.” “Someone asked him, … Continue reading “Ghislaine MAGA”
Addicted To War or Passionate for Peace
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?” “From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three.” Jesus is letting … Continue reading “Addicted To War or Passionate for Peace”
Lethal Gods with Lethal Weapons
Today’s non-Gospel readings tell of a lethal God. The Book of Wisdom recalls God’s lethal plague killing the first-born of the Egyptians, “a multitude of their children (you) made perish all at once.” The Letter to the Hebrews recalls Abraham’s willingness to take a knife and obey God’s lethal command to “sacrifice” his son Isaac. … Continue reading “Lethal Gods with Lethal Weapons”
You Fool, Tech Bro
“Jesus told the crowd a parable. ‘There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.’ ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods.’” “But God said to him, ‘You fool.” Jesus asks us to ponder … Continue reading “You Fool, Tech Bro”
Help
Disciples ask Jesus for help, “Teach us to pray.” Included in Jesus’ response he says, “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be … Continue reading “Help”
Perpetrators as Victims
“Martha welcomed Jesus. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord … Continue reading “Perpetrators as Victims”
The ICE Agents Who Fell Victim to Robbers
“On a journey to Jericho, a man fell victim to robbers. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan who … Continue reading “The ICE Agents Who Fell Victim to Robbers”