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Peacemaking Pioneers
Jesus is sending out disciples to spread his Way. His is the Way of communion and so he sends out people in pairs to nurture community. His is the Way of compassionate love and so he sends out people who are poor to nurture vulnerability. His is the Way of creativity and so he…
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Shaming
Jesus is preaching and healing on the Sabbath in his hometown synagogue. Many are “astonished” but rulers “took offense at him.” Rulers are offended by his integrity; preaching independent of their judgments. They are offended by his power; healing people they oppress. Rulers do not like people who dare to challenge their oppressive system.…
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Faith or Fear
Jesus encounters fear in two persons he meets along his journey. One is a woman who fears being detected in public. She is stricken with a persistent flow of blood and to be in public is to be threatened with harm. The woman faces her fear. She risks a dangerous move. In a crowd,…
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Born and Unborn
Sunday’s readings celebrate John the Baptist and the sanctity of his life. They speak much of wombs; “The Lord called me…from my mother’s womb.” The Lord “formed me as his servant from the womb.” “(Y)ou knit me in my mother’s womb.” “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant (John) leaped in her womb.” It…
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Violating Borders
Sunday’s first reading uses a dominating tree to symbolize their God, Yahweh. The tree represents Yahweh’s protected empire and the submission all will pay to the deity, “Every tree of the field will know that I am the Lord.” Jesus has no interest in empires, their borders, or their violent warlords who protect and…
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Civil War in a Divided Kingdom
Jesus’ many healings upset rulers, especially his exorcisms; the driving out of a demonic or divisive force. The rulers are upset because, in truth, Jesus is driving them out; their rule is a demonic and divisive force. Rulers would drive us mad with their demonic divisiveness of priests over laity, bosses over workers, whites…
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Animal Sacrifice
Sacrifice is the theme of Sunday’s readings. Sacrifice means the priestly ritual of “offering something (especially a life) to a deity.” Sacrifice is offered to gain the deity’s favor. The taking of sacrificed life in death rituals, is the primary ritual of the religion of Militarism and it is practiced throughout the Old Testament.…
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A Higher Loyalty?
Sunday’s first reading includes the War Lord Yahweh ordering his supporters to “keep his statutes and commandments.” The people believe Yahweh deserves their loyalty because he “took a nation for himself…by testings, …by war,…and by great terrors.” Jesus’ Gospel also includes commands, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all…
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Do We All Want the Same Things?
Filled with Pentecostal Spirit, peacemakers start enlivening people stifled by the oppressive Roman Empire. The enlivening is Jesus’ “Community of God” – a Way of communion, love, and creative healing power. They enliven it far and wide among diverse people. They are persecuted for doing so. Gospel and non-Gospel accounts record the persecution. It…
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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…