The ‘Chosen People’ of ancient Israel, captured by Babylon, dreamed of rebuilding their empire. When Persia’s King Cyrus defeated Babylon, he helped the Chosen people realize that dream. The people therefore acclaim Cyrus as an agent of Yahweh, “Thus says the Lord to his anointed, Cyrus.” “It is I who arm you, though you…
In Jesus’ time, learned scholars, closed off from the people, devised rules for the people to obey. Often using specialized language, the scholars asserted knowledge, especially about a violent God, hidden from mere commoners. The learned rulers kept the people divided, arguing over minutiae about their God’s rules. In contrast, Jesus spoke openly in…
Jesus is disobedient to the rulers of his time; the “scribes and Pharisees,” and “the Sanhedrin.” He will not be chained by them, not made subservient to their divisive system, as others are. Jesus is free and is teaching others to be free. Jesus keeps encouraging common unity. Therefore, he keeps encouraging reconciliation, “be…
People who believe they are ‘Chosen Ones’ are undertaking a violent coup. They believe their mythical warrior deity, ‘the Lord,’ has unchosen Saul as King and chosen David. “(T)he LORD said to David, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.” Soldiers will switch their allegiance from one king to…
Jesus tells a parable this Sunday about a conniving steward caught “squandering the master’s property.” Though caught, he does not stop his conniving. He merely shifts it to “his master’s debtors one by one.” He does so for personal benefit, figuring, “when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their…
Abraham is known for a rather famous offer of hospitality to travelers, “please do not go on past … let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves.” Afterward, Abraham is rewarded, “One of them said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then…
Abram in the Old Testament is set to wage war. He “mustered three hundred and eighteen of his slaves, born in his house, and went in pursuit.” Upon Abram’s victory, Melchizedek, allied with Abram, “brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram.” “Then Abram gave him…
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…
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…
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…