What are the responsibilities of an Old Testament prophet? Overall it was to call people to convert back to Yahweh. Old Testament prophets could fulfill their responsibilities by lording sinner’s guilt over them. They could threaten doom until offenders repented. Jesus’ witness was not centered on guilt or doom or harm of any type. Jesus … Continue reading “Reaching Out in Truth”
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Names
The name Satan conjures up monstrous images; such as a maleficent horned creature robed in red. If rendered human, still the images are monstrous, conjuring up evil people. The word evil, however, was originally defined as an adversary. It could mean one was in league with the devil but that name too lacks the monstrous … Continue reading “Names”
Models of Authority
One model of authority is to rule over people. It is the military model of domination. A rather clear sign of such authority is the threat of or use of a weapon. The weapon might be a fist or a gun. It could be a knife or a tongue sharpened like one. Whatever its shape, … Continue reading “Models of Authority”
Play
Jesus is more playful than we might think. We see his playfulness in his many parables. He told his parables for serious and enjoyable reflection, not to teach dogma. Dogma is not playful. Jesus’ stories and the metaphors within them enable us to play with them. He offered characters and events to help us enjoy … Continue reading “Play”
Mystery
What is the leap of faith we make to believe in God? We need to consider our image of God. A genuine belief moves us into the realm of mystery. We take no leap, we experience no mystery when we believe God is a judge or is punitive. Such descriptors are but observations of people … Continue reading “Mystery”
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 disciple of Jesus (?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”