What is the leap of faith we make to believe in… God? Such a leap moves us into the realm of mystery. The mystery of God is not revealed in beliefs about being judged or punished – or being magically ‘saved’ from them. Judgments and punishments are not so much beliefs as they are observations … Continue reading “Mystery”
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Ache
At various times, for our own reasons we have felt within us an ache – for something that seemed unable to be satisfied. We have felt a longing – for things to be different than they are. Often, it’s a personal ache: for a spouse to love us as they once did, for a departed … Continue reading “Ache”
Treasures
St. Lawrence, whose feast day is next week, fits well with Jesus’ teaching this Sunday; “the Community of God is like a treasure.” Lawrence lived in Rome and was a deacon among disciples (?225-258). He served his faith community by caring for those who were poor, distributing the goods of the community to people according … Continue reading “Treasures”
Weeds and Wheat
The story is told of a man driving a winding country road. He is almost run off it by a woman who rounds a curve too wide. As she gets back onto her side she yells at him, “Pig!” He promptly responds, “Idiot!” only to round the bend and crash into a pig. We don’t … Continue reading “Weeds and Wheat”
Nature
Jesus’ deep connection with nature is apparent in his parables. We see it this Sunday with his parable about the sower, the seeds, and the ground on which the seeds fall. The wise people listening know Jesus is speaking truths about nature as well as truths about humanity. People who are wise are like nature. … Continue reading “Nature”
In Dependence
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”
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”