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Generous Farmers
Jesus tells a parable about the Community of God being a community of generosity. A farmer makes sure all farm workers benefit from a full day’s wage though not all work a full day’s hours. Not everyone likes the farmer’s generosity, “These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal…
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Forgiving the Slaves to White Supremacy
Jesus tells a parable this Sunday about a God who unceasingly forgives others debts, or sins; 70 x 7 times. In Jesus’ new revelation of divinity, an ethic of forgiving love replaces the old deity, Yahweh, and replaces the old ethic of debt slavery. The old deity was invented by War Lords who enslaved…
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How Skilled Am I in Moral Conversations?
Jesus gives escalating verbal strategies for speaking up to harmful believers. First, he advises speaking the truth, “If your brother sins… tell him his fault.” Next, expand your courage, “If he does not listen, take others along (to) establish” facts. If he’s still unchanging, Jesus advises speaking up publicly, “Tell the church.” His final…
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Delusions
Worldly rulers are delusional about Jesus. They believe they need to protect themselves from him; a man who unifies, loves, and heals. Jesus understands their delusion and its violent intent. He tells disciples, “I will suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed.” Peter’s response shows he is…
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A Monumental Ideal
When an Old Testament ruler, “Shebna, master of the palace,” is stripped of his authority, his “keys” are transferred over to another. That transfer is important to this Sunday’s Gospel account of Simon Peter recognizing Jesus as Christ. Jesus, to distinguish the Old way from his New way, responds by giving “keys” to Simon…
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Identity Politics
Identity politics is as old as the Old Testament. Identity politics is defined as “a tendency for people of a particular religion, race, etc., to form exclusive political alliances.” The definition fits the chosen people of the Old Testament. They repeatedly formed exclusive political alliances; always around their status as chosen people of Yahweh.…
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Faithless Christians
Jesus is caught in a storm at sea in today’s Gospel and tells disciples to have faith. Years later, Paul says he has faith in Jesus and writes letters after Jesus has already established the Community of God for all people. However, in Paul’s writings there is a sinking feeling he doubts both Jesus…
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Transfigured or Disfigured?
Jesus is Transfigured before the very eyes of three of his disciples. They see his face shine radiant like the sun and his clothes become dazzling white. They watch him instruct two ancient figures on the Transfiguration of humanity, away from an ancient figure of a War Lord and toward an eternal figure of…
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Whose Kingdom?
Is the Kingdom of God Jesus is describing and establishing here on earth a treasure; is it a pearl of great price, maybe a net, or perhaps a person caring for a home – and how is it so? It is all and more and each of Jesus’ metaphors is worthy of its own…
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Wheat and Weeds
The Old Testament includes a well-known belief in a chosen people with a deity who intercedes for them. They are distinguished from other people who are not chosen and against whom that same deity inflicts punishment. Paul repeats the Old belief in Sunday’s second reading. Fortunately, Jesus gives us a wholly different Gospel message…