“Jesus took Peter, James, and John” “up a high mountain.” There they saw Jesus, “transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” “And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared.” When we look at Moses and Elijah we see ancient figures bound to the kingdom of Israel. When we … Continue reading “Peaceful Trans-Figuring”
Category: Peace
Peace On All Sides
Jesus tends not to take sides, meaning he does not play favorites or act like a judge. Jesus does however clearly take sides in the manner of a life witness. For example, Jesus is not on the side of war. He is on the side of peace. In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus, the peacemaker, is letting … Continue reading “Peace On All Sides”
Beginning With Peace
Sunday’s readings begin with a passage from Isaiah referred to as the Suffering Servant. It is about one who will fight to “bring forth justice to the nations.” He will not “cry out” nor “shout,” “a bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench until he establishes justice on … Continue reading “Beginning With Peace”
Revolutionary Prayers
Sunday’s readings speak of troubled times; “unsurpassed in distress” and “tribulation.” Jesus speaks his message on these concerns from Jerusalem. Jerusalem is an outpost of the Roman Empire with soldiers who cause troubled times, distress, and tribulation. Jesus is a peacemaker who causes courage, calm, and comfort. He is encouraging other peacemakers to be that … Continue reading “Revolutionary Prayers”
Pacifist or Christian?
This Sunday’s Old Testament reading concerns Yahweh. Yahweh is the Lord of ‘Hosts’ – which means Lord of ‘Armies.’ Yahweh is a warmaker and is ordering obedience. It is the same obedience ordered by the warmakers who invented Yahweh; warmakers such as Moses. The Gospel reveals Jesus is not a warmaker but a peacemaker. Jesus … Continue reading “Pacifist or Christian?”
Transfigured or Disfigured?
Jesus is Transfigured before the very eyes of three of his disciples. They see his face shine radiant like the sun and his clothes become dazzling white. They watch him instruct two ancient figures on the Transfiguration of humanity, away from an ancient figure of a War Lord and toward an eternal figure of a … Continue reading “Transfigured or Disfigured?”
Giving Birth to Peace
Mary of Nazareth is undergoing a series of very trying experiences. She is pregnant under questionable circumstances. She is traveling a great distance on the back of a mule while pregnant. She is being forced upon this trip late in her pregnancy by an emperor who wants more tax money from working people. She and … Continue reading “Giving Birth to Peace”
Will We Live Our Dreams or Have Them Interpreted For Us?
We spend our childhoods and some restful moments dreaming. Those who would diminish our dreaming will tell us it is time to grow up or to wake up and stop our dreaming. But growing up or waking up does not stop our dreaming. We are simply given the chance to live out our dreams in … Continue reading “Will We Live Our Dreams or Have Them Interpreted For Us?”
Making Things Happen
So many things have been happening to disciples in a short number of days. They shared a festive meal but it was followed soon after by Jesus’ arrest. Amidst that chaos and pain an ear is severed, but then healed. A night of anguish is endured which is then followed by a day of torture … Continue reading “Making Things Happen”
Transfigured
Jesus’ Transfiguration reveals humanity glorified as Divine. The event involved Moses and Elijah. Both men have a previous association with trans-figuration. They are Biblical promoters of Militarism, an ancient and still pervasive religion that trans-figured humanity. Militarism’s trans-figuring involved trans-figuring warlords into deities. These trans-figured warriors were then worshiped by their cultures as gods. As … Continue reading “Transfigured”