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Removing the Stone from the Tomb
“On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.” Jesus is every human being who challenged the system. The system is Militarism. It is the world’s Religion. It grooms us as subordinates…
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Jesus’ Murder
There is a gross violence done by institutional christianity’s interpretation of Jesus’ torture and death. It is not only normalized; it is sanctified. The torture and violence done to Jesus on the cross is perversely claimed as saving us. Nothing about anyone being tortured saves us. Nothing about a cross saves us. Nothing about…
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Dear Spirit, Enlighten Us
Dear Spirit, Enlighten us like you helped Jesus enlighten his listeners. We have gotten caught up in catching others in their worst moments. Why did we decide to become a Pharisee? When did we decide to be so anxious about sin that we caught a woman in the very act of committing adultery? We…
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Dear Spirit, Unite Us
Dear Spirit, Unite us like you united the father and son who were prodigal in their love for one another. Jesus tells the story of their love because the Pharisees are complaining, “This man welcomes sinners.” When Jesus shares communion with outcasts – as he tells of the prodigals son’s father sharing communion with…
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Dear Spirit, Nurture Us
Dear Spirit, Nurture Us like you nurtured Jesus to be fruitful about the fig tree. There is every appearance of fruitfulness in some people, for example, rulers. They have a fine upbringing in circumstances of status and wealth. It may be the case they lacked such, but decided to gravitate toward those possessing outward…
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Dear Spirit, Change Us
Dear Spirit, change us like you changed Jesus on the mountaintop. A great change is needed in the world. We are part of it. Like Jesus we need to reckon with all that has gone before us. We especially need to reckon with all that is within us. Our experiences of Your Presence are…
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Dear Spirit, Lead Us
Dear Spirit, lead us like you led Jesus into and through the desert. A great mission awaits to transform the world. We will need to be strong to endure. We will need to be one of many leaders able to deal with obstacles; obstacles of institutions, laws, controlled finances and resources. We will need…
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How Splinters and Beams Burn
Jesus asks his listeners, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You…
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Love in a Time of Hate
Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies.” Jesus calls anyone and everyone to join him in the Way of Love. It is an easy way when we are among family and friends. Thus, as Jesus says, “if you love those who love you, what credit is that…
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Lords and Their Welfare
The Old Testament routinely describes riches or “blessings for those who trust in the Lord,” and poverty, “curses for those who trust in human beings.” In the Gospel, Jesus too assures blessings and not curses but woes, yet in precisely the reverse manner, ‘Blessed is the one who is poor, hungry, weeping, insulted.’ ‘Woe…