Jesus is, like most of his contemporaries, marginalized – politically, financially, and theologically. He is not, however ,powerless. One aspect of Jesus’ power is demonstrated by his empowering others. He encourages people to create with their brothers and sisters a new politics (care), a new economy (share), and a new theology (dare). After sending out … Continue reading “Reflecting or Reacting”
Category: Love
Being True
In this final week of the Easter season Jesus speaks of having been true to those given to him. He understands one, will not be true to him, Judas, the “son of destruction.” “I protected them… and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction.” Jesus’ protecting and guarding … Continue reading “Being True”
Mothers Take the Lead
Jesus’ witness as a loving and strong leader is apparent in this Sunday’s Gospel. He tells community members, “Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love … This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down … Continue reading “Mothers Take the Lead”
Love
Jesus’ essence, throughout his encounters, revealed he was consistently loving. He exemplifies this in Sunday’s Gospel. A leper comes to Jesus. Cradled in this man’s heart is his desire to be healed. Jesus, from a heart moved with compassion, fulfills his desire. Love flowed forth. It was shared by the leper who was healed. It … Continue reading “Love”
Service
Service includes caring for those in need as Jesus does with those who are sick. It is Jesus’ encounters with those who are sick that shapes this Sunday’s Gospel. One of the sick people Jesus heals is Peter’s mother-in-law. Upon being healed she was then of service to the people gathered in their home. Jesus … Continue reading “Service”
Gift Economy
There is some evidence the U.S. Empire is like, or perhaps worse than, the man in Sunday’s Gospel. The man, out of fear, puts the gifts he has been given to no good use; he “went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried” the gifts. So too, the U.S. receiving the gifts … Continue reading “Gift Economy”
The Risk of Love
Love is a great risk. Love renders us vulnerable. Yet, the risk of love gives our lives meaning. So we risk love; with family again and again. We risk love again and again with friends and with neighbors we meet here and there in the course of our day. Sometimes, we take the risk to … Continue reading “The Risk of Love”
Easy Choices
Jesus’ parable this Sunday seems to present most modern readers with an easy choice. Is it better to say “No” to a father’s public request but then do as he asked? Or is it better to say “Yes” but then not actually fulfill the request. Modern readers would likely say doing what was asked is … Continue reading “Easy Choices”
Living Water
Lent is inappropriately linked with sin and therefore with disempowerment. Lent is actually an experience of empowerment as the Lenten Sunday Gospel readings show. The Gospel from the First Sunday of Lent begins with Jesus being led into the desert by the Spirit. He is being empowered for his coming public ministry. The Gospel from … Continue reading “Living Water”
Essence
We have all had our share of challenging experiences in life, experiences of being taken beyond the point we thought was our ability to cope. In such moments, those things or circumstances or people we thought we needed are not there and we stand alone. We come to know who we are at our core. … Continue reading “Essence”