Jesus tells a parable of a Pharisee, “convinced of his own righteousness who despised everyone else.” He is a man who believes he is unlike other commoners. He is supreme, without sin. The Pharisee is helping maintain an entire system of supremacists who force lesser men to be obedient to them. The system includes forcing … Continue reading “To Be Unlike and Like”
Blog
The Life-Blood of Prayer
Jesus is here to change the world. Are we? Do we think he or we should be up to something less? That social dynamic is powered by, inspired by prayer. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells of a widow who will not be wearied by an unjust judge. Be persistent, “pray always.” Be in communion … Continue reading “The Life-Blood of Prayer”
Healing Touch
In this Sunday’s Gospel we meet ten human beings who have no place in the family of life; they are out of touch, physically. They are kept separate from their human family; isolated, lonely. They bear a skin disease and are judged sinners. Their bodies bear marks that have them in despair over ever being … Continue reading “Healing Touch”
Have We Done What We Were Obliged To Do?
Faith is generally understood as believing in a Supreme Being, and, perhaps, believing that because of our faith, that Supreme Being will do something for us. The prophet Habakkuk, in this Sunday’s first reading, has such faith and believes his Lord will do something for him, “O Lord, … I cry out to you.” The … Continue reading “Have We Done What We Were Obliged To Do?”
Life in Christ, Doctrines in Paul
Jesus tells a heartbreaking parable this Sunday. In part, it is about a wretchedly poor man. His misery is painstaking, “Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.” More heartbreaking is the part about a wretchedly rich man. His misery is so painstaking he is unaware that “lying at his door was a poor … Continue reading “Life in Christ, Doctrines in Paul”
Privatizing Wealth: Old and New
Most of Jesus’ listeners lack money and resources. It seems odd then that Jesus tells them a parable this Sunday about their careful use of them. The parable begins with a wealthy landowner who will be letting his manager go because he is wasteful. The manager obviously wants a comfortable next position. He decides to … Continue reading “Privatizing Wealth: Old and New”
Depravity
Both Moses in the first reading and Paul in the second believe humans are “depraved,” meaning corrupt, twisted. Both men applied their belief to people who disobeyed them; judging them sinners who, according to them, deserved to be punished. Both men’s belief in humanity’s depravity and necessary punishment is deeply influential and controls institutional christianity. … Continue reading “Depravity”
Human Agency
Jesus’ Gospel message this Sunday concerns human agency. Human agency is the power to act. It is the power to do so wisely and conscientiously, in any given environment. Jesus tells short parables to explain agency. He explains the need to separate from the patriarchal family, to have planned foresight, and to be ready to … Continue reading “Human Agency”
Politically Correct
When members of the supremacist class, Pharisees, invite Jesus to a meal they are not being politically correct. Being politically correct is a feature of domination in which supremacists correctly honor their own who dominate. Why then do the Pharisees bestow honor upon a dishonorable commoner, the politically incorrect Jesus, by inviting him to share … Continue reading “Politically Correct”
The Narrow Gate
A person burdened with the baggage of salvation poses a question to Jesus, “Will only a few people be saved?” Jesus is free of the salvation burden. It forces on people a false identity as sinners who must be saved from their condition. Jesus knows each person’s saintliness, their godliness. He knows all of the … Continue reading “The Narrow Gate”