“Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people,” “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, … Continue reading “Turning”
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Energy: Scarce or Generous
Jesus tells a parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers.” Then, “going out at five o’clock,” he hired more. At the end of the day, he “gave them their pay.” The ones who started late “received the usual daily wage,” equal to the ones who … Continue reading “Energy: Scarce or Generous”
Dictators Destroying the Common Good
Jesus tells a parable of a debtor who receives a loan he cannot repay, “the lender… let him go and forgave him the loan.” “When that debtor had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what … Continue reading “Dictators Destroying the Common Good”
The Fault in Our Magnificent Selves
“Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Jesus concludes by addressing “loosing” what “binds” us. It is difficult to be honest about faults, speaking to others about theirs, having others speak to us about ours. Even if done so one … Continue reading “The Fault in Our Magnificent Selves”
Killing Conscience is Killing Democracy
“Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed.” Jesus understands the killer ethics of the dictator class. They will kill him and will command subordinate soldier/slaves to do the deed. An extremely small number of very … Continue reading “Killing Conscience is Killing Democracy”
Who Do You Say that I Am?
Jesus “asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of … Continue reading “Who Do You Say that I Am?”
Aggrieved Cult Members
A Canaanite woman cries out to Jesus, “’My daughter is tormented by a demon’. But Jesus did not say a word. His disciples said, ‘Send her away, for she keeps calling out.’ Jesus then said to her, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But the woman said, ‘Help … Continue reading “Aggrieved Cult Members”
Courage For Our Time
The disciples were on a boat “being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.” Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do … Continue reading “Courage For Our Time”
Naked
“Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them… and his clothes became white as light” The heroes of ancient days made themselves gods; Sumer’s god-king Gilgamesh, Iran’s god-king Mazda, Egypt’s god-king Pharaoh. Ancient Israel’s deity says to their god-king Moses, … Continue reading “Naked”
Ultimate Joy of Peacemaking
Jesus speaks of great purpose and focus in the parables he tells this Sunday, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field which a person finds… and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching … Continue reading “Ultimate Joy of Peacemaking”