Jesus is noteworthy as a loving person, especially with people rulers outcast. More noteworthy is Jesus loving those outcasts in the very presence of those rulers – who then actively oppress Jesus for doing so. Jesus’ love is thus a consistently courageous love. Jesus is so consistently courageous in his love that he even loves … Continue reading “Why Are Soldiers Not Christ-like?”
Category: Love
Balanced Lives
One of Jesus’ new disciples, Peter, has a sick mother-in-law. Jesus goes to her and heals her of a fever. Emerging from her solitude of suffering, she immediately begins to be of service to those in her home. When others learn of her healing it is written, “the whole town was at the door.” Jesus … Continue reading “Balanced Lives”
Keep the Faith or Give it Away?
“Keep the faith,” is an old adage. It is said as encouragement and meant to bolster friends and their attitude in a given circumstance. It is often said routinely and perhaps humorously. But it is just as importantly said and meant in difficult circumstances; times when faith may be all that keeps us going. But … Continue reading “Keep the Faith or Give it Away?”
Aware of Love
An old joke about lawyers shows how legal complexities can render us unaware, dangerously so. Two lawyers were out hunting when they came upon tracks. The first lawyer declared them to be deer tracks but the second insisted they must be elk tracks. They were still arguing when the train hit them. So it is … Continue reading “Aware of Love”
Forgiving the Slaves to White Supremacy
Jesus tells a parable this Sunday about a God who unceasingly forgives others debts or sins; 70 x 7 times. Jesus’ new revelation of divinity, an ethic of forgiving love replaces the old deity, Yahweh, and the old ethic of debt slavery. The old deity was invented by War Lords who enslaved people; Amalekites, Canaanites, … Continue reading “Forgiving the Slaves to White Supremacy”
How Comfortable Am I With Courage?
Jesus is a courageous man. He consistently stands up to those oppressing others and himself. He seems comfortable in doing so. An Old Testament figure, Jeremiah, is sometimes likened to Jesus, described as a man who is also oppressed and yet courageous. Does an accurate comparison exist between Jesus and Jeremiah as to their being … Continue reading “How Comfortable Am I With Courage?”
A Soft Heart and A Strong Spine
Jesus takes a risk and walks through Samaria. It is considered enemy territory. He then takes an additional risk, engaging with a woman at a well. Jesus’ disciples interpret his behavior as collusion with an enemy, they “were amazed that he was talking with a woman” and certainly a Samaritan. Jesus is simply, but intentionally, … Continue reading “A Soft Heart and A Strong Spine”
Obstruct, Resist, Love
Jesus is again replacing the Law with conscience in this Sunday’s Gospel, “You have heard the law, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.” Resistance is the current mood in the U.S. How can it be that Jesus … Continue reading “Obstruct, Resist, Love”
Spectrum of Learning: Illuminate
Joseph lives in the shadows of the Gospel with Matthew alone shining any light upon him. That light first comes in the form of Joseph’s genealogy which is helpful in providing Jesus some credibility with Matthew’s Jewish readers. The second time and the focus of this Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew shines a light on Joseph to … Continue reading “Spectrum of Learning: Illuminate”
Hope Amidst Trials
In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus speaks apocalyptically, saying of the Temple, “there will not be left a stone upon another stone.” He speaks of people who will start “wars and insurrections” and that “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” Though his apocalyptic language may sound similar to current doomsdayers, to label Jesus … Continue reading “Hope Amidst Trials”