The setting is Golgotha. It is the place of skulls. Jesus is breathing his last. He is hanging on a cross. On either side is a criminal. They too, are gasping for breath. One criminal speaks to Jesus. His words reveal knowledge. He knows Jesus in this life. He hopes to know Jesus in the … Continue reading “To Conspire”
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Hope Amidst Trials
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus speaks apocalyptically, saying of the Temple, “there will not be left a stone upon another stone.” He speaks of people who will start “wars and insurrections” and that “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” Though his apocalyptic language may sound similar to current doomsdayers, to label Jesus … Continue reading “Hope Amidst Trials”
The Graveyard Shift
This Sunday’s readings are each marked by grave diggers. In the Old Testament, the Maccabees family is having their grave dug by foreign rulers. The rulers reject their way of life and will kill them for it; “seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king.” In Paul’s … Continue reading “The Graveyard Shift”
Growing in Stature
Among the people, Jesus is growing in stature. He is experienced as a man of integrity, honest and caring. When word spreads through Jericho that he “intends to pass through the town,” a particular man in it, Zacchaeus, “seeks to see who Jesus is.” Zacchaeus is a tax collector. Tax collectors are used by Roman … Continue reading “Growing in Stature”
To Be Unlike and Like
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”
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? Change is powered 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.” we can be in communion with Real … 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. Often attached to that belief is another belief, 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 … 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
Jesus tells a parable this Sunday about the careful use of money and resources. The parable begins with a wealthy landowner who will be firing his manager because he is wasteful. The manager obviously wants a comfortable next position. He decides to secure it by starting to make careful use of money and resources – … Continue reading “Privatizing Wealth: Old and New”