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…
“Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, Jesus said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch. Simon said in reply, ‘Teacher, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your words I will lower the…
Jesus cautions people about the “tribulation” rulers will cause for them, “Those times will be more distressful than any.” The tribulation focuses on the rulers terrorizing and killing him. But Jesus understand rulers will terrorize and kill commoners of every age. Commoners will face the tribulations with love and courage. Francesca Cabrini, born in…
“Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the Scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the market places, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.” The word scribe means “to write,” and signified the man who was the keeper of laws, accounts, and so…
Two of Jesus’ followers desire the glory of rule and ask him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus then summons the others and says to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers lord it over them, and their…
Some disciples “had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.” In reply, Jesus, “taking a child, placed the child in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, ‘Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.’” However great we imagine we are,…
The Old Testament routinely shows partiality to the rich, since its writers believe wealth is a sign of God’s blessing. Poverty thus marks a person as cursed by God, a sinner. Jesus in the Gospel reverses the Old Testament. He shows no partiality to the rich. Their wealth is man-made from abusing the poor.…
In the Old Testament Bible reading, Joshua and his soldiers are decades into waging wars on enemies. They are wars against the people whose land Joshua believes the Lord gave to them as the Chosen People. Joshua summons his military “officers.” They “stood in ranks before the Lord” and the people. Joshua tells them,…
God willing the violent death of sinners is a common prophecy of the Old Testament. They “have rebelled against me,” says the Lord. “(T)hey shall die for their sin.” (Ez 2) God wills a Chosen People in a Chosen Empire are ruled by a violent messianic warrior who kills enemy sinners, “My chosen one……