The Advent/Christmas season begins with the Gospel forecasting an apocalyptic event. It uses symbolic language to convey its seriousness: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay.” Jesus describes a climate of distress apparent socially and personally (he’s facing his own suffering and … Continue reading “How Can We Change the Climate This Christmas Season?”
Category: Creative Healing Power
How Could Jesus Predict This Generation’s Terrorism?
Jesus predicts terror in much of Mark’s 13th chapter read this Sunday. The terror has an overall and particular infliction to it. Overall, the terrorism is the pain inflicted by every generation’s Militarist rulers. In particular, such terrorism will soon be directed against Jesus who will be tortured and murdered. Also against disciples. Jesus’ predictions … Continue reading “How Could Jesus Predict This Generation’s Terrorism?”
Having Something Done For Us or By Us
Bartimaeus, who is blind, is making a racket. Although censored by onlookers he persists. He eventually gets the attention he wants from Jesus but that is not all he wants. Bartimaeus puts his faith in Jesus. Jesus, in turn, puts a question to him, What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus replies, … Continue reading “Having Something Done For Us or By Us”
Company Men
One of Jesus followers, John, is upset that a person not of their company is calling on Jesus’ name to drive out demons. A demon is a spirit of negativity, an adversary that harms and even destroys. At issue in the Gospel is a person who cannot live a fully human life because they are … Continue reading “Company Men”
Hearing the Cry of the Poor and the Earth
There is an analogy between Jesus’ Gospel witness this Sunday and Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the earth, Laudato Si. The particular ingredient of the analogy is the transformation of a system that marginalizes people. Both Jesus and Pope Francis give care to people who are made poor, sick, and forgotten by directing healing attention … Continue reading “Hearing the Cry of the Poor and the Earth”
Resigned to Death or Committed to Life?
Resignation to death could have been a common malaise during Jesus’ era. Jesus lived in a time and place when the majority of people died young, their lives cut short. One such youth whom Jesus encounters is a child of twelve deeply loved by her father Jairus. She is stricken and death lurks. But Jairus … Continue reading “Resigned to Death or Committed to Life?”
Changing Course
Centuries ago, in a Gospel story being played out today, disciples were caught up in a violent, life threatening storm. The storm was actual and metaphorical as they were trying to change course in a boat and in their lives and needed a guide to do so. An actual violent, life threatening storm of our … Continue reading “Changing Course”
Friday to Sunday
A story is often told us but it is a false one: a supreme being is angry with a sinful humanity and wills their deserved suffering and death. The story is told by an ancient and still operative religion, Militarism. Militarism has a long history of projecting its War Lords into the heavens as deities. … Continue reading “Friday to Sunday”
Snakes
Jesus makes a reference to an early snake practice in this Sunday’s Gospel. It refers to people being sick and looking upon a bronze snake to be healed: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may … Continue reading “Snakes”
Lives That Matter
Announcing the arrival of a V.I.P. is its own event. I once watched a 14 car motorcade announce a U.S. President’s arrival to a theater. V.I.P. status is confirmed by temples of fame and fortune with their outside trappings of red carpets and media. It is confirmed by expensive gifts and plush surroundings. All of … Continue reading “Lives That Matter”