Jesus tells a parable about rulers who exploit people, workers especially. The rulers exploit them for the “small matter” of “mammon,” which means gaining “dishonest wealth.” Jesus cautions disciples to not serve “mammon,” for you will exploit people. Disciples are called to serve people and be about “great matters.” When we serve mammon, meaning…
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind.” “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues… (People) from every nation… gathered in a large crowd… (and) each…
“On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed.” While it was still dark and there is no light by which Mary could see, she is moved by the Spirit to venture out. Her spirituality,…
“The soldiers… brought Jesus before Pilate.” “Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers” who “shouted out… Crucify him!” “The soldiers led Jesus away to be executed” on a cross. “When they came to the place called the Skull, the soldiers crucified him.” Jesus lived as a peacemaker, intentionally so. He was not ignorant…
The Old Testament reading describes rulers who judge between unchosen and chosen people. They are proud to receive “honor” from “chosen people” and to shame unchosen people. In the Gospel, the “Scribes and the Pharisees, brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to…
Rulers call out Jesus for being unjust, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” “So, to them, Jesus addressed this parable” of an unjust son who “squandered his inheritance.” Suffering the consequences, the Prodigal Son wisely returns home to a loving father. An older brother is angry about the father’s loving spirit. He…
Abram believes a deity has given him “land as a possession.” Paul believes his deity does not desire “minds occupied with earthly things,” rather, our “citizenship is in heaven.” After witnessing Jesus’ glowing Transfiguration, Peter desires possession of both, land on earth for shrines to heaven, “let us make three tents, one for you,…
The warrior Moses is a member of the religion of Militarism. Militarism lauds warriors and the warrior deity they invent, Yahweh. Yahweh, for his Chosen People, inflicts godly suffering on enemies, and kills them. For example, ordering the sufferings of the Plagues, and killing the enemy’s first born children in the 10th Plague. Militarists…
The Old Testament writes that through the warrior Jacob, the War Lord Yahweh, “has delivered his people,” who will exalt at the head of nations.” “I guide them; I will lead” them and the people will walk in his way. The New Testament reading says “every high priest” offers blood “sacrifices for sins.” He…