The Pharisee in Sunday’s Gospel shows no signs of love nor forgiveness but instead signs of being judgmental and unforgiving. The Pharisee judges a woman who bathes Jesus’ feet with her tears as a sinner, not to be forgiven. The Pharisee does not judge himself a sinner. He judges himself saved and thus not needing … Continue reading “Sin and Forgiveness”
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Healing Power
The Gospels record healing as a life-giving power Jesus shared with people. Among the people with whom he shared his healing power was a young man, the only son of a widow from Nain. As this Sunday’s Gospel relates, the young man had died. Jairus’ daughter and Jesus’ friend Lazarus were two other individuals who … Continue reading “Healing Power”
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is an ancient religious ritual. It is practiced by the religion of Militarism. Throughout history, Militarists have practiced blood sacrifice on animals but also on human subjects (War is the most routine example). Jesus never practiced sacrifice rituals. He never shed the blood of any human being. He certainly never taught that sacrificing any … Continue reading “Sacrifice”
Memorializing Truth Tellers
A loving Spirit can guide us throughout our lives. Such a Spirit can especially guide us as peacemakers through conflict. Dirk Willems was guided by such a Spirit, as was Ben Salmon, Medgar Evers, Maura Clark, Jean Donavan, Ita Ford, and Dorothy Kozel. Like Jesus, these disciples gave witness to the Spirit of truth and … Continue reading “Memorializing Truth Tellers”
Vital Spirit
The Spirit of God was experienced by disciples as a vital energy. It was as the breath of Christ and came in the physical expressions of a strong wind and tongues of fire. The presence of God in Christ was both contained in physical form, and yet, free flowing as from breath, wind, and fire. … Continue reading “Vital Spirit”
Joy
Joy was pouring forth from the disciples after Jesus’ Ascension. The disciples had known joy from the beginning of their time with Jesus. They enjoyed an intimate companion in Jesus. They enjoyed a deepening character within themselves. They enjoyed a continually expanding circle of friends. Included among their friends were persons who had been sick … Continue reading “Joy”
Rejecting Warmaking, Accepting Peacemaking
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” (John 14:27) Jesus authored for the world a peace entirely unlike that proselytized by the world’s militaries. The military believes in peace, through violence. Jesus’ early followers gave witness to the difference between … Continue reading “Rejecting Warmaking, Accepting Peacemaking”
Love
Love is Jesus’ commandment, “I give you a new commandment: love one another.” Jesus rarely spoke in terms of commandments and yet his teaching on love in the Gospel is presented in that manner. Jesus’ commandment would seem to warrant attention, especially from Christians. Certainly so from self-titled Christians enamored of Ten Commandments from the … Continue reading “Love”
Vocation
Jesus says in Sunday’s Gospel: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” Disciples hear Jesus calling us to follow him by creating communion among people torn apart by divisive identities, by witnessing love to those who promote anger as righteous or just, and by bringing healing to those who wound … Continue reading “Vocation”
Discipleship
Discipleship, which means to learn, in particular from Jesus, would have us relating in communion, being nonviolent loving persons, and expressing creative healing power. All three qualities were Jesus’ most consistent and significant witness. In Sunday’s Gospel Jesus is again giving witness to these ingredients and encouraging disciples to do their best to exhibit them. … Continue reading “Discipleship”