Sunday’s first reading from the Old Testament opens by telling us, “The Lord was pleased to crush him.” What kind of Lord is so pleased? A War Lord. The reading goes on, “If he gives his life as an offering for sin … the will of the Lord will be accomplished.” What Lord’s will is … Continue reading “Warlords and Saints”
Category: Militarism
Conscience and Consequence
The disciples have recently returned from sharing Jesus’ Way of communion, love, and healing power with people. One consequence is disciples being targeted for persecution. Another consequence is disciples being targeted for acclaim. Thus, Jesus says to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest.” He does not want them to lose … Continue reading “Conscience and Consequence”
Peacemaking Pioneers
Jesus is sending out disciples to spread his Way: of communion and so he sends out people in pairs to nurture community; of compassionate love and so he sends out people who are poor to nurture vulnerability; of creativity and so he sends out people gifted with healing power. All of these qualities make for … Continue reading “Peacemaking Pioneers”
Animal Sacrifice
Sacrifice is the theme of Sunday’s readings. Sacrifice means the priestly ritual of “offering something (especially a life) to a deity” and thus lessen the deity’s wrath and violence. The taking of sacrificed life in death rituals, is the primary ritual of the religion of Militarism and it is practiced throughout the Old Testament. It … Continue reading “Animal Sacrifice”
A Higher Loyalty?
Sunday’s first reading includes the War Lord Yahweh ordering his supporters to “keep his statutes and commandments.” The people believe Yahweh deserves their loyalty because he “took a nation for himself…by testings, …by war,…and by great terrors.” Jesus’ Gospel also includes commands, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that … Continue reading “A Higher Loyalty?”
The Challenge To Change Our Values
Authors of the Old Testament portray Hebrews as the chosen people of their god, Yahweh. The people value Yahweh in the same way they value the War Lords who invented him – he is their savior, their protector – as long as they are obedient. War Lords are believed to have enabled a small but … Continue reading “The Challenge To Change Our Values”
The Challenge to Change Our Leaders
Scripture scholars treat Moses and his deity, Yahweh, as leaders. Moses is a military leader, a War Lord, as is the Yahweh deity he invented. They dominate, inflict suffering, and kill. Their military leadership is evident in Sunday’s first reading concerning the 10 Commandments. From Yahweh, “I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, … Continue reading “The Challenge to Change Our Leaders”
Taxing Decisions
Trick questions are always…tricky. Some are amusing or thought provoking; What’s another word for Thesaurus? Why doesn’t glue stick to its bottle? A definitive trick question however is drawn from cunning and intends to deceive or trap. It is with that intention that religious rulers who are plotting to kill Jesus ask him a trick … Continue reading “Taxing Decisions”
The Weight of Rulers
Who are the people who wait for rulers to come and save them? It seems the Hebrews are such people. It’s a reoccurring theme in the Old Testament and part of this Sunday’s first reading, “shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek, and … Continue reading “The Weight of Rulers”
The Misguided Concern for Personal Salvation
Jesus shows concern for others. Out of concern for others he is willing to lead a dangerous life. He intentionally challenges the world’s political, financial, and theological status quo. That status quo is devised by Militarists; supremacists who abuse and violate common people. It needs to be challenged. Jesus first starts gathering common people together … Continue reading “The Misguided Concern for Personal Salvation”