On this Feast that errantly celebrates the Exaltation of the Cross, Paul of Tarsus teaches that though “Jesus was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave… becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.…
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?” “From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three.” Jesus is…
In the Old Testament reading, Abraham has slaves whom he takes to war as soldiers to kill enemies. Upon victory, an allied king, Melchizedek, who also uses slaves as soldiers, glorifies Abraham as God/Godly. Like all War Lords, Abraham gave a portion of the war’s plunder to his slave soldiers. “Abraham gave Melchizedek a…
The Old Testament routinely describes riches or “blessings for those who trust in the Lord,” and poverty, “curses for those who trust in human beings.” In the Gospel, Jesus too assures blessings and not curses but woes, yet in precisely the reverse manner, ‘Blessed is the one who is poor, hungry, weeping, insulted.’ ‘Woe…
“Beware of the scribes,” Jesus says, “They like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers.” Jesus “observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.…
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood.” Jesus’ final meal, celebrated…
The Gospel of Matthew includes a story of Magi, wise ones who seek a child, “We saw his star rising.” They offer “him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” The story is told to link with an Old Testament story but erroneously so, for it tells of warriors who seek plunder, “all shall come…
Jesus “asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son…
“John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’” What is the sin of the world? For millennia religious rulers have claimed the sin of the world is disobedience to a Supreme Lord who thus requires payment and death. The…