Jesus’ opening teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is referred to as The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are read every All Saints Day. They exemplify the active witness of disciples. Given that active witness, it is odd that the Beatitudes are inaccurately translated into the passive voice. For example, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, … Continue reading “Christian Is An Action Verb”
Category: Jesus-Movement
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 “work in the vineyard.” One says “Yes,” but does not work. Jesus likens that son to the chief priests. The other says “No,” but does work. Jesus likens that son who has a … Continue reading “What is Being Asked of Us?”
The Old and The New
Jesus has been telling people terrorized by Empire, David’s and Caesar’s, parables about the Community of God. The Community of God is described as a treasure, a fine pearl, a net and therefore surprising, joyful, fulfilling. Upon concluding all the parables Jesus says, “Every scribe who has been instructed in the Community of God is … Continue reading “The Old and The New”
Decorating Our Memories
The disciples were “all in one place together” when “tongues as of fire, parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Spirit and began to speak… as the Spirit enabled them.” They went out among people gathered together from across the world. It was not to … Continue reading “Decorating Our Memories”
Religious Imperialism
The Acts of the Apostles describes early efforts of some disciples to share Jesus’ Way. These include “Peter and John,” and also “Philip.” Each set out to love as Christ loved and thus “proclaimed the Christ” to people and healed people afflicted and orphaned; in their own land and in other lands such as “Samaria.” … Continue reading “Religious Imperialism”
The Bully Pulpit
In Sunday’s readings from Peter, we are told, “If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.” Are we to be patient when the suffering is intentionally inflicted and repeatedly so? That describes bullying. Jesus was never patient about people suffering under bullies. In today’s Gospel … Continue reading “The Bully Pulpit”
A Man Commended to You By God
After Jesus’ death, Peter, in the Acts of the Apostles, is making the case for Jesus. Peter asserts “Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs” of healings. But Peter unfortunately goes on to link the commendable healer Jesus with the lamentable ruler David, “the patriarch … Continue reading “A Man Commended to You By God”
The Point of Our View
When Jesus was passing through Jericho, “he looked up” and saw Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus had “climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus.” Zacchaeus had to change his point of view in order to see Jesus, to encounter him. He could not do so from his original point of view, it rendered him short-sighted. His short-sighted point … Continue reading “The Point of Our View”
Creating a Faithful Climate
While addressing the importance of persisting in faith, Jesus tells the story of a widow. She has strong faith in her position against an “adversary” in a corrupt system harming her. The judge deciding her case is corrupt, reflecting the corrupt system. Even so, she is unrelenting in petitioning the judge for fairness, “Render a … Continue reading “Creating a Faithful Climate”
Free and Fulfilled
“Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly.” They were just returning home after a long captivity. Ezra stood “on a wooden platform” “higher up than any of the people.” The people “bowed down and prostrated themselves …(and) Ezra read plainly from the Book of the Law of God.” Centuries later Jesus stands before … Continue reading “Free and Fulfilled”