Jesus contrasts scribes with widows in this Sunday’s Gospel. It is a contrast between legal scholars who are socially honored and legal slaves who are socially dishonored. Jesus is not necessarily praising the widow’s almsgiving but he is certainly lamenting the payment scribes coerce out of her. The widow’s mite or penny is a payment … Continue reading “What is a Widow’s Might?”
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What Is the Power of Our Sainthood?
Jesus’ Blessings, or Beatitudes, often go unnoticed as expressions of power (influence with). Power is contrasted with control (rule over). Jesus’ Beatitudes flow with power to release us from control. Control is the wealthy segregating themselves. Power is Jesus witnessing interdependence, “Blessed are the poor.” Control is dominating others. Power is Jesus witnessing humility: “Blessed … Continue reading “What Is the Power of Our Sainthood?”
Having Something Done For Us or By Us
Bartimaeus, who is blind, is making a racket. Although censored by onlookers he persists. He eventually gets the attention he wants from Jesus but that is not all he wants. Bartimaeus puts his faith in Jesus. Jesus, in turn, puts a question to him, What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus replies, … Continue reading “Having Something Done For Us or By Us”
What Price Glory?
Two of Jesus’ followers, James and John, engage him in a quite calculated conversation: “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Jesus replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other … Continue reading “What Price Glory?”
Why Don’t Rich People Like To Share?
Shocking in its day and still now is Jesus’ encounter with a rich young man. The man keeps the commandments but, because he is rich, is said to lack godliness, “Go and sell what you have to the poor.” Not only is the rich young man stunned by this news the disciples are too. Their … Continue reading “Why Don’t Rich People Like To Share?”
How Good Is It To Be Alone?
Pharisees are concerned about their man-made laws being obeyed. They seek to press Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel about their law on divorce. “‘Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?’ They were testing him.” The test was to whether Jesus adhered to a harsh or more lenient view of men putting aside … Continue reading “How Good Is It To Be Alone?”
Company Men
One of Jesus followers, John, is upset that a person not of their company is calling on Jesus’ name to drive out demons. A demon is a spirit of negativity, an adversary that harms and even destroys. At issue in the Gospel is a person who cannot live a fully human life because they are … Continue reading “Company Men”
Collective Consciousness
All people who challenge the status quo are made to suffer by those who uphold it. Jesus challenged it and was persecuted and killed by the rulers of his day. When Jesus shares with disciples his consciousness of this timeless truth, they are confounded. However, they ask no further questions to raise their own consciousness. … Continue reading “Collective Consciousness”
Conscience Questions the Bible and the Constitution
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus asks a question: “Who do people say that I am?” He is directing listeners outward toward other’s opinions. Those opinions reflect external social and religious norms. Then Jesus rephrases the question for Peter: “Who do you say that I am?’ Jesus is directing his friend inward toward conscience which questions … Continue reading “Conscience Questions the Bible and the Constitution”
Hearing the Cry of the Poor and the Earth
There is an analogy between Jesus’ Gospel witness this Sunday and Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the earth, Laudato Si. The particular ingredient of the analogy is the transformation of a system that marginalizes people. Both Jesus and Pope Francis give care to people who are made poor, sick, and forgotten by directing healing attention … Continue reading “Hearing the Cry of the Poor and the Earth”