What is often hidden from we who are clever and learned is the truth that we live in dependence. When we’re clever, about getting money, or we’re learned, about getting information, we can forget that simple truth about dependence. Wealth and information tempt us toward self-reliance, self-sufficiency. We might even be tempted to use both … Continue reading “In Dependence”
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Church
People’s movements often start in someone’s house, usually around the kitchen table. They tend to bubble up with free flowing conversations and a vision for change. Little by little such movements spread. They can spread so far and wide and deep as to diminish empire. Protectors of empire, more truthfully those who are imprisoned by … Continue reading “Church”
Bread of Life
In the Gospel, Jesus is called the Bread of Life, meaning a source of nourishment shared for all. Jesus calls disciples to be nourishing as well. Helping to nourish people, physically and spiritually, is a basic ingredient of discipleship in Christ. As author Monika Hellwig wrote, disciples learned that to be true to Jesus they … Continue reading “Bread of Life”
Saved and Condemned
God really is not a father that lives in the sky, though John’s Gospel imagines it in today’s reading. This father god does not grant salvation to those who believe in him and obey him. Neither does this imagined deity condemn those who do not. All of that is just a projection put onto God … Continue reading “Saved and Condemned”
Together
Pentecost highlights Jesus’ impact on people’s sense of public place. Hierarchs – Roman officials and soldiers, high priests and Pharisees – forcibly controlled the place commoners were allowed to occupy in public life, if any. Hierarchs thus limited people’s ability to effect change. At Pentecost different people came together as one in public space. People … Continue reading “Together”
Passing On
Jesus was always passing on to others who he was and what he knew. It is true in the testimony of his Ascension relayed this Sunday. He was always passing on his welcoming and creative Presence so that people felt such Presence within them. He was always passing on what he knew of the Way … Continue reading “Passing On”
Advocate
The God presented for worship in the Old Testament simply does not match Jesus’ revelation of Divinity in the Gospel. The difference is the difference between the religion of Militarism and the spirituality of Jesus. One assurance of our evolution beyond Militarism’s religion and toward Jesus’ spirituality is the difference between a warrior and an … Continue reading “Advocate”
Faith Works
The Gospel according to John emphasizes Jesus’ Divinity. Jesus’ Divinity is at the service of the physical world, especially healing its pain. The Gospel thus emphasizes all that is physical is being transformed. Everything that brings pain and suffering – our bodies, this world, Jesus’ death – all of it is being transformed. Do not … Continue reading “Faith Works”
Abundant Life
Jesus spent his life in nature. He consistently identified with nature. He used nature in his parables. He used it for metaphors when teaching people about life. Jesus is speaking about nature, sheep and shepherds specifically, and about life in general this Sunday when he says, “A thief comes only to … destroy; I came … Continue reading “Abundant Life”
Opening Ourselves to New Life
Are you the only person who does not know of the things going on in the U.S.? Are you the only one unaware of all that is taking place in these times? Christian priests and pastors are guilty of sex abuse. Christian leaders are building million dollar mansions for themselves. Christian lawmakers are refusing to … Continue reading “Opening Ourselves to New Life”