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 of the manna in the desert. It was not a gift but rather a cruel test of obedience, “For forty years now the LORD, your God, has… … Continue reading “Indigenous Intentions”
Category: Communion
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 Sarah for some sin she must have committed. Sarah suffers deep shame as a result. That Sarah is yet to … 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”
A New Normal: Social Health
Jesus said to his disciples, I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in them, will bear much fruit.” Bearing fruit is a metaphor indicative of health; physical, psychological, spiritual. Producing sickness is indicative of the exact opposite. A terrible sickness, abnormal in that it is a pandemic, has … Continue reading “A New Normal: Social Health”
Changed By Our Adventures
In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter is remembering Jesus, but his death, “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob… has brought to fulfillment… that his son would suffer.” Peter uses Jesus’ death to encourage change, “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” Peter … Continue reading “Changed By Our Adventures”
Women Are Powerful
Spending time this Advent with Mary, and women in general, we can discover women are powerful. We would not know that power from today’s Old Testament reading. It promotes atonement, meaning it promotes “sin” and “guilt.” The Gospel reading does not promote atonement but does address it with John in the desert. He proclaims “a … Continue reading “Women Are Powerful”