Sunday’s readings address souls. The Book of Wisdom talks of “the souls” who suffer because “God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them.” Paul’s Letter to the Romans talks of all souls as suffering “in slavery to sin” and … Continue reading “Soul Food”
Category: Love
Look Them in the Eye
Jesus tells a parable about two men in the temple. One is a Pharisee who “spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector.’” But the tax collector stood off at a distance and … Continue reading “Look Them in the Eye”
You Fool, Tech Bro
“Jesus told the crowd a parable. ‘There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.’ ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods.’” “But God said to him, ‘You fool.” Jesus asks us to ponder … Continue reading “You Fool, Tech Bro”
The ICE Agents Who Fell Victim to Robbers
“On a journey to Jericho, a man fell victim to robbers. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan who … Continue reading “The ICE Agents Who Fell Victim to Robbers”
Fathers and Sons
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. What are the hopes and dreams of every father for his son? Perhaps it is that he too should know the joy … Continue reading “Fathers and Sons”
Making Things New
Sunday’s readings coalesce around the theme of making things new. Acts of the Apostles describes early disciples being missionaries, bringing Jesus’ new message to Gentiles. The Book of Revelation describes a new heaven and a new earth. In the Gospel Jesus is letting disciples know he is going to be killed. How will they go … Continue reading “Making Things New”
Love in a Time of Hate
Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies.” Jesus calls anyone and everyone to join him in the Way of Love. It is an easy way when we are among family and friends. Thus, as Jesus says, “if you love those who love you, what credit is that to … Continue reading “Love in a Time of Hate”
Sacred Hearts
“As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out.” “And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more.” “Jesus stopped and said, … Continue reading “Sacred Hearts”
Learning to Fall
The Pharisees approach Jesus about divorce and admit, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss” his wife. But Jesus told them, It is “because of the hardness of your hearts” Moses permitted it. Later, “people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked the … Continue reading “Learning to Fall”
Ego-nomics Shifting to Eco-nomics
Jesus is shifting people away from an attachment to a deadly deity with a deadly ethic and toward a life-giving community of God with a loving ethic. “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; … Continue reading “Ego-nomics Shifting to Eco-nomics”