“Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.” He told one of “a man who sowed good seeds in his field.” But “while everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds through the wheat.” Listeners are like the characters in the parable, uncertain of what to do with people who cause problems, “’Do you want … Continue reading “Seeds of Love”
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Love A Hundredfold
Jesus teaches a parable about a sower and seeds; “some seed fell on a path and birds came to eat it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for … Continue reading “Love A Hundredfold”
Meekness: Our Refreshing Grandeur
Jesus is a poor itinerant preacher traveling among poor people “to preach in their towns.” He is in touch with nature for his teaching – “seeds” and “sheep,” “serpents and doves,” “reeds in the wind.” He learns his friend, John the Baptist, a poor settled preacher, also in touch with nature, has been put into … Continue reading “Meekness: Our Refreshing Grandeur”
Receiving Wisdom
Jesus said to his apostles: “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” “And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink… will surely be received.” Are we wise enough to receive people – their goodness, their humor and wisdom? … Continue reading “Receiving Wisdom”
Acceleration
Jeremiah is afraid as he is being terrorized and prays for vengeance from his Lord Yahweh of Armies, “I hear the whisperings of many: ‘Terror on every side!” “O Lord of Hosts… let me witness the vengeance you take on them.” Jesus is not afraid, too is being terrorized but prays for gentleness for gentleness … Continue reading “Acceleration”
A Community is the Fruit of Our Labor
Jesus lives a revolutionary witness that is challenging and changing the ruler system. He needs other revolutionaries to join with him in his fruitful mission. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” Laborers in the work field have persistently challenged the ruler system. Eugene Debs was a voice for such laborers at the … Continue reading “A Community is the Fruit of Our Labor”
Indigenous Intentions
Jesus speaks of himself as a gift, “I am living bread that came down from heaven.” He is juxtaposing the gift of life with an Old Testament story. It is the story about the manna in the desert which was not a gift but rather a cruel test of obedience, “For forty years now the … Continue reading “Indigenous Intentions”
Indigenous Risks
Nicodemus risks seeing Jesus to ask about his Way. Nicodemus is a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin. Their way is to oppose Jesus and they claim the right to condemn. Jesus tells Nicodemus, “God so loved the world as to give the fully begotten One… not to condemn the world, but that the world might … Continue reading “Indigenous Risks”
Making Noise for the Sake of Humanity
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.” We are conceived from the noise of lovemaking. We are born from the noise of childbirth. We … Continue reading “Making Noise for the Sake of Humanity”
The Last Thing We Do
Luke writes the Acts of the Apostles after he wrote his Gospel. He begins Acts with Jesus saying goodbye. The last thing Jesus does before Luke records his departure via Ascension is to empower the disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses… to the … Continue reading “The Last Thing We Do”