Jesus’ witness as a loving and strong leader is apparent in this Sunday’s Gospel. He tells community members, “Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love … This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down … Continue reading “Mothers Take the Lead”
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Fruitful
To be Christian means to be Christ-like, which in this Sunday’s Gospel means to be fruitful. Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in them will bear much fruit.” Jesus bore fruit by gathering diverse people together in communion, by being loving, and by acting as … Continue reading “Fruitful”
Shepherds, Hired Hands, and Wolves
Jesus’ role as a Good Shepherd is addressed in this Sunday’s Gospel. He loves those in his care and is willing to put his life in jeopardy should harm come to them. Jesus’ witness is that of a committed and loving friend and is distinguished from a hired hand who gives the appearance of responsibility … Continue reading “Shepherds, Hired Hands, and Wolves”
Crumbs
If you’re ever looking for Jesus just follow the crumbs. Throughout his life he was always sharing meals with people. He dined with Pharisees, tax collectors, and prostitutes as well as the various men, women, and children of the villages he visited on his journeys. After his Resurrection, as this Sunday’s Gospel relates, Jesus shares … Continue reading “Crumbs”
Rejected Testimony
Throughout his life Jesus gives testimony to a peaceful Way. His testimony was consistently rejected by the rulers of his time; so much so they put him to death. This Sunday’s Gospel shows that Jesus’ community accepted his testimony, in life and in life after life. Thus, as people received Jesus in life so they … Continue reading “Rejected Testimony”
Friday to Sunday
A story is often told us but it is a false one: a supreme being is angry with a sinful humanity and wills their deserved suffering and death. The story is told by an ancient and still operative religion, Militarism. Militarism has a long history of projecting its War Lords into the heavens as deities. … Continue reading “Friday to Sunday”
Criminals
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus is charged as a criminal and brought before Pilate. An additional man charged as a criminal and also held by Pilate is Barabbas, an insurrectionist. Why does Pilate, who manages Rome’s local police state, eventually release the criminal Barabbas and torture and murder Jesus instead? Is it possible that criminals … Continue reading “Criminals”
Rule
Believers in the devil, some of whom call themselves Christian, think the creature has dominion over the earth. This Sunday’s Gospel proves such a belief is not Christian/Christ-like. Jesus says, “now the ruler of this world will be driven out.” If errant christians think the devil, sometimes called Satan, rules over earth then Jesus driving … Continue reading “Rule”
Snakes
Jesus makes a reference to an early snake practice in this Sunday’s Gospel. It refers to people being sick and looking upon a bronze snake to be healed: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may … Continue reading “Snakes”
What Militarism Whips Up
Jesus’ clearing of the Temple in this Sunday’s Gospel is grossly misinterpreted. Militarists misinterpret it as an act of violence. The misinterpretation allows their religion, Militarism, to maintain its oppressive rule over humanity, our hearts and minds. Militarism has no regard for the peacemaker Jesus of Nazareth. In this misinterpretation and others, they mis-characterize, disrespect, … Continue reading “What Militarism Whips Up”