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”
Category: Communion
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”
Herod Is In The House
Magi travel to Jerusalem in search of an Epiphany, seeing God in a child born to goodness. They encounter a ruler trained otherwise, King Herod. Herod is “greatly troubled” by his meeting with these Wise Ones. The king has “assembled his chief priests and scribes” and deceptively tells the Magi, “Go and search diligently for … Continue reading “Herod Is In The House”
Habits of the Home
Jesus tells of a Pharisee who has the habit of going up “to the Temple area to pray.” He feels at home there but will not extend that feeling to another who has joined him. For, while there, the Pharisee’s prayer habit is to insult and ostracize those he judges as not belonging there with … Continue reading “Habits of the Home”
Needing Everything, Needing Nothing
While Jesus was “dining at the home of one of the leading Pharisees” he told them a parable about humility, “When you are invited (to a banquet) go and take the lowest place.” “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” “Be humble.” Humble means of the earth. To … Continue reading “Needing Everything, Needing Nothing”
Genuine or Constructed
Sarah, in today’s Old Testament reading, has yet to give birth to a child. She is judged by the society surrounding her as cursed by God. God is believed to be inflicting this suffering upon her for some sin. Sarah suffers deep shame as a result. That Sarah is yet to give birth to a … Continue reading “Genuine or Constructed”
Fair Trade
Jesus has been preaching to thousands who are now hungry. The disciples tell Jesus, “‘Five loaves and two fish are all we have.’ Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, Jesus said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the … Continue reading “Fair Trade”
Truth about the Big Lie
Jesus tells disciples that, like himself, they “do not belong to the world” of rulers. Jesus also tells them truth does not belong to the world of rulers either, so Jesus “consecrates them in truth.” Rulers not being ‘consecrated in truth’ explains Trump’s 30,000+ lies. One type of lie is opinion. Not to be confused … Continue reading “Truth about the Big Lie”