“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, afraid, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.” Moving through locked doors, opening them…
Jesus tells listeners, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not respond violently to one who is violent… You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say…
“The angel said to the Shepherds, ‘I proclaim to you tidings of great joy to be shared with all people.’” “‘Let this be a sign to you: in a manger you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes.’ Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of angels saying, ‘Glory to God and…
In the Book of Revelation, John of Patmos, is reporting on the persecution and violence experienced by early peacemakers. John exhorts them to keep praying and working for peace. John uses symbolic language that includes war images. He begins by writing of a “rider called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages…
“There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.” The mother of Jesus, Mary, is aware of a problem that will disrupt the peace of the first day of the couple’s new life together. She “said to Jesus,…
We learn from the story of the Magi that those who are wise seek out peacemakers to be educated by them, ‘We saw the child’s star rising… and have come to follow him.’ We learn from the story of Herod that those who are rulers target peacemakers and lie about being educated by them,…
The Old Testament reading recalls a flood experience, lasting 40 days. Its authors believed an ancient War Lord, sparing Noah, justifiably waged war against life itself and “destroyed all mortal beings.” The Old Testament then shows war being continually waged by believers in the ancient War Lord; Moses, Joshua, David, and the like. The…
Today’s Old Testament reading unfortunately begins with a fool, the warrior King David. He is feeling anxious because he is not currently laboring at killing, “the LORD has given him rest from his enemies.” The Gospel reading fortunately tells of a wise soul, the lover Mary. She is feeling at peace for she will…
Jesus is at his last meal with disciples. This includes Judas who has already betrayed Jesus and later that night will help assault him. Jesus knows Judas is betraying him. He describes the assault and violence that await. Jesus does not, however, assault Judas nor does he even protest against him. Instead, Jesus initiates…
“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…