Three young women are walking home late at night. The first says “We should split up so that if someone attacks us, one of us is free to get help.” The second says “We should stay together so that if someone attacks us, we can fight him off better.” The third girl says “If I … Continue reading “Borders on Our Home”
Category: Military-Dominion
Why Do Some People Keep Killing Other People?
Abram is a man who believes many things. For example, he believes in a violent deity, “the Lord.” He believes that believing in the “Lord” is “credited to him as an act of righteousness.” He believes the “Lord” rewards his righteousness with “land as a possession.” He will gain a nation. Abram believes killing to … Continue reading “Why Do Some People Keep Killing Other People?”
What is Our Consciousness?
Sunday’s readings show a consciousness about a culture’s laws. First there is a consciousness of the Ten Commandments, then consciousness of the Levitical priesthood and its many laws, and finally the consciousness of a scribe who questions Jesus about all law. The scribe, a legal scholar, asks Jesus, “Which is the first of all the … Continue reading “What is Our Consciousness?”
Wisdom: Conventional or Counter-cultural?
This Sunday’s readings are concerned with wisdom and its effects. Some of the wisdom is conventional, conveying generally accepted beliefs, opinions, and judgments. It can be contrasted with true wisdom that counters convention. The two wisdoms meet in the Gospel. A conventionally wise rich young man who glorifies rulers, their wealth and laws, seeks the … Continue reading “Wisdom: Conventional or Counter-cultural?”
Pence-ive Theology?
While on a journey, Jesus is thoughtful with Peter and others about what the future holds. He shares with them the suffering and death unthoughtful rulers will sinfully inflict upon him, I “must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed.” “He spoke this openly.” Peter … Continue reading “Pence-ive Theology?”
Fake Saviors
In Sunday’s first reading, the ruler Moses is cast as a savior. He tells the people they will be saved if they are obedient to him. If not, it will be deadly for them, “that you may live … observe the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I am commanding you … (I) destroyed … Continue reading “Fake Saviors”
Sex Abuse
Subservience to supremacists is the unfortunate message of Sunday’s non-Gospel readings. The Old Testament reading glorifies people’s subservience to an earthly supremacist, Joshua, and to the heavenly supremacist, Yahweh, Joshua helped invent. Joshua incites submission to Yahweh from the people, “If it does not please you to submit to Yahweh, decide today to whom you … Continue reading “Sex Abuse”
Shaming
Jesus is preaching and healing on the Sabbath in his hometown synagogue. Many are “astonished” but rulers “took offense at him.” Rulers are offended by his integrity; preaching independent of their judgments. They are offended by his power; healing people they oppress. Rulers do not like people who dare to challenge their oppressive system. It … Continue reading “Shaming”
Violating Borders
Sunday’s first reading uses a dominating tree to symbolize their God, Yahweh. The tree represents Yahweh’s protected empire and the submission all will pay to the deity, “Every tree of the field will know that I am the Lord.” Jesus has no interest in empires, their borders, or their violent warlords who protect and sanctify … Continue reading “Violating Borders”
Civil War in a Divided Kingdom
Jesus’ many healings upset rulers, especially his exorcisms; the driving out of a demonic or divisive force. The rulers are upset because, in truth, Jesus is driving them out; their rule is a demonic and divisive force. Rulers would drive us mad with their demonic divisiveness of priests over laity, bosses over workers, whites over … Continue reading “Civil War in a Divided Kingdom”