The Pharisees do not so much care about people as they care about people obeying their laws. Jesus demonstrates care and cares that the Pharisees do not care. Jesus speaks about their lack of care to their face, “of the hardness of your hearts.” Jesus then notices a hardness of hearts in his disciples, “People … Continue reading “Care-full and Play-full”
Category: Jesus-Movement
Capitalism, Socialism, Communism
James is a poor disciple of a poor man, Jesus, who partnered with people to co-create the one “Community of God.” He cautions listeners about how the rich are divisive in the kingdom of Caesar, “Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries… Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who … Continue reading “Capitalism, Socialism, Communism”
Torture for Sport
Mary “traveled to the hill country… and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out” “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary’s response shows the radical nature of such joyful union, “God has cast … Continue reading “Torture for Sport”
Resilience for Life
“A large crowd followed Jesus, because they saw the healings he was performing on the sick.” When he “saw the large crowd coming to him, he said to Philip, ‘Where can we get enough food for them to eat?’” “Philip answered him, Two hundred days wages worth of food would not be enough for each … Continue reading “Resilience for Life”
Mission for All Time
Disciples had been sent on a healing mission by Jesus. After returning they “told him all they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.’ But people were coming in great numbers.” When he “saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with compassion … Continue reading “Mission for All Time”
Into The Wind
Jesus directs disciples onto a boat to “cross to the other side.” They run into a difficulty, “A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat.” While “Jesus was in the stern, asleep” the disciples were afraid, “Do you not care that we are perishing.” Jesus woke up and said to the … Continue reading “Into The Wind”
Joyful Homemaking
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.” “Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Spirit.” There gathered a large crowd of “Parthians, Medes and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, … Continue reading “Joyful Homemaking”
Entrusted with Being Alive
Jesus tells a story of people entrusted with a man’s livelihood. The man is going on a journey and entrusts to three people money of varying amounts. Two put it to good use. When the man returns, they give back what they had been entrusted with and so much more. But the third man, “out … Continue reading “Entrusted with Being Alive”
Christian Is An Action Verb
Jesus’ opening teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is referred to as The Beatitudes. They are the Gospel reading commemorating the active witness of every saint on every All Saints Feast Day. Given the active witness of saints, it is therefore at least odd that the Beatitudes are inaccurately translated into the passive voice, … Continue reading “Christian Is An Action Verb”
What is Being Asked of Us?
Jesus tells a parable to “the chief priests” about the “Kingdom of God,” symbolized as a vineyard. Two sons are asked to “go out and work in the vineyard.” Jesus likens one of the sons, who says “Yes,” to the work, but then does not do it, to the priests. Jesus likens the other son, … Continue reading “What is Being Asked of Us?”