“As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth,” who was thus judged a sinner. Disciples, influenced by their culture’s values, ask if his blindness is the sin of “this man or his parents.” Jesus replied, “Neither,” “it is so the works of God might be made visible through him.” Jesus then healed … Continue reading “Blind Spots”
Category: Creative Healing Power
Light In The Darkness
Isaiah writes, “(I)f you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness.” So too Jesus speaks of bestowing Beatitudes or Blessings and then telling us, “You are the light of the world.” “Just so, your light must shine before others.” “Give your light to … Continue reading “Light In The Darkness”
A Dove’s Mission
Jesus receives the Spirit in the form of a dove as John the Baptist gives witness, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him.” Doves periodically appeared in early art; from Mesopotamia and Syria to the Canaanites, Israelites, and Greeks. Doves have tended to represent love, romance, and … Continue reading “A Dove’s Mission”
The Authority of Artists
Jesus is beginning his creative expression on this earth. He will author much beauty across his life. He is an artist, born of Divinity. It is confirmed in his baptism, “and behold, the heavens were opened and John the Baptist saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon Jesus.” We are … Continue reading “The Authority of Artists”
Who Knew the Magi Were Parents?
“Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem.” “Where is the newborn,” they wondered. Then, they “saw his star rising” “and stopped over the place where the child was.” “On entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.” Then what? Might the Magi have forewarned the new parents about kids, ‘A child develops … Continue reading “Who Knew the Magi Were Parents?”
Foundations
Jesus’ parable about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus, sets the foundation for wisdom about rich and poor, “There was a rich man who dressed in … fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus … who would gladly have eaten … … Continue reading “Foundations”
Usual and Unusual
Disciples have not been living a usual life. They’ve been living an unusual life with an unusual guide, Jesus, a peacemaker. Usual life consists of living under warmaking rulers who judge common people’s sins and calculate the payment they must suffer through to be redeemed of their sinner status. The payment might be money, it … Continue reading “Usual and Unusual”
Easter Uprising
Jesus’ disciples are huddled together. They do so not for community. Nor is it for warmth. It is for fear, stone cold fear. Soldiers, on command from the ruling elite, have arrested, tortured, and murdered Jesus. The disciples fear the same will be done to them. And so, they hide. They remove themselves from people … Continue reading “Easter Uprising”
Being There
Mary is there at the cross, filled with shock and sorrow. She is there at the tomb also, filled with gloom and grief. She has seen her friend, Jesus, brutally tortured and murdered. She now sees “the stone removed from the tomb.” Knowing Jesus is horribly and certainly dead, she begins to wonder, ‘Where have … Continue reading “Being There”
All Stories Are True and Some of Them Really Happened
The story is told of three wise ones who seek a baby. They have seen his star rising in the East and wish “to do him homage.” They share their intention with the ruler of the land to which they travel, Herod, a most unwise man. Herod will not do homage to a child he … Continue reading “All Stories Are True and Some of Them Really Happened”