“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 says it believes in peace, but through violence. Jesus’ early followers gave witness to … Continue reading “Rejecting Warmaking, Accepting Peacemaking”
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Love
Love is Jesus’ commandment, “I give you a new commandment: love one another.” Jesus rarely spoke in terms of commandments. Yet his teaching on love in the Gospel is presented in that manner. Jesus’ commandment would seem to warrant attention, especially from Christians. Certainly from self-titled Christians enamored of Ten Commandments from the Old Testament. … 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, means we relate in communion, are loving, and express 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. Peter is most … Continue reading “Discipleship”
Peacemaking
Peace is Jesus’ way. It is his gift to everyone: “Peace be with you.” Those who want to learn from Jesus, receive the gift of peace and share it with others. One sign of our doing so is our willingness to be at peace, as Jesus was, with different people. Our differences with people might … Continue reading “Peacemaking”
Resurrection
Resurrection means so many things. It means the creative healing power of God endures beyond the grave. It means Jesus lives beyond the suffering and death inflicted upon him. His pain was inflicted by Militarists who believe violence is a saving act and that they have the right to inflict it. In Jesus’ Resurrection all … Continue reading “Resurrection”
Suffering
Suffering, such as the Gospel describes this Sunday in the crucifixion, is violently inflicted upon Jesus on the cross. Such suffering is unfortunately extolled in institutional christianity. It is mistakenly believed to save us. It is a mistaken belief because Jesus never teaches his suffering saves us. Those who believe it are therefore not centered … Continue reading “Suffering”
Emerging People
In the Gospel, we see a women dragged into the streets but who because of Jesus’ response, emerges from her enslavement. Emerging seems to describe our humanity. We are emerging because we are centering ourselves on the witness of peacemakers, like Christ Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus’ life witness, as shown with the woman in the … Continue reading “Emerging People”