The Pharisees were upset about Jesus continually challenging them. They “plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.” They construed a dilemma, a choosing of sides – or so they thought, between God and Caesar. Rulers like to trap people in conflicts. They like to trap people into taking sides in conflicts. Shall we take … Continue reading “How War Lords Trap Us”
Category: Military-Dominion
Dictators Destroying the Common Good
Jesus tells a parable of a debtor who receives a loan he cannot repay, “the lender… let him go and forgave him the loan.” “When that debtor had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what … Continue reading “Dictators Destroying the Common Good”
Naked
“Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them… and his clothes became white as light” The heroes of ancient days made themselves gods; Sumer’s god-king Gilgamesh, Iran’s god-king Mazda, Egypt’s god-king Pharaoh. Ancient Israel’s deity says to their god-king Moses, … Continue reading “Naked”
Indigenous Risks
Nicodemus risks seeing Jesus to ask about his Way. Nicodemus is a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin. Their way is to oppose Jesus and they claim the right to condemn. Jesus tells Nicodemus, “God so loved the world as to give the fully begotten One… not to condemn the world, but that the world might … Continue reading “Indigenous Risks”
Arresting Intelligence (AI)
Soon after Jesus’ murder, “two of his disciples were walking to a village seven miles” away and “were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.” ‘Conversing about all the things that had occurred.’ Conversing about such … Continue reading “Arresting Intelligence (AI)”
Arrested
“When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.” “From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Convert, for the Community of God is at hand.” John the Baptist has been a conscientious public witness, telling the truth about the ruler Herod. Like all rulers, Herod arrests the truth and … Continue reading “Arrested”
Why Are We Fighting in Jesus’ Name?
Amidst people fawning over the temple’s finery, Jesus speaks of the building’s demise. It is part of the religion of Militarism’s demise that constructs it while destroying people. Religion’s demise would disturb its ruling class that fights Jesus. The Temple and religion’s demise is a curiosity to people who question Jesus, “when will this happen?” … Continue reading “Why Are We Fighting in Jesus’ Name?”
How Shall We Ever Weary of War When It Is So Entertaining?
The readings this Sunday share a theme of weariness. We ourselves might feel weary reading about yet another Old Testament War Lord, Moses, who fends off weariness so his warriors can fight in yet another war and steal what they can. Jesus too attempts to fend off weariness but in disciples so they can persevere … Continue reading “How Shall We Ever Weary of War When It Is So Entertaining?”
Powerful Women of Faith
Gospel author Luke chronicles hardships rulers constantly direct at Jesus, disciples, and others. Not wanting to lose heart amidst the hardships, disciples ask Jesus, “Increase our faith.” Jesus replies, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this tree, ‘Be uprooted and transplanted in the sea,’ and it would … Continue reading “Powerful Women of Faith”
Revelation: Visionaries
The writer of the Book of Revelation, John of Patmos, claims to relay the visions of Jesus, “This is the revelation God gave to Jesus Christ.” John claims Jesus claims to be the “ruler of the kings of earth” who “made us a royal nation.” Jesus’ lived revelation in the Gospel is not that of … Continue reading “Revelation: Visionaries”