Ecclesiastes tells us, “All things are vanity! Here is one who has labored.. and yet to another must leave his property and possessions.” In the Gospel Jesus responds to a man worried about his property and possessions by telling him, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life … Continue reading “Possessing a War Bonnet”
Tag: capitalism
Revelation: Mothers
John of Patmos uses the symbol of a lamb in his Revelation writings. He describes a gathering of peaceful people, “a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue (who) stood before… the lamb… who will shepherd them” John is borrowing the lamb symbol from Jesus who uses it … Continue reading “Revelation: Mothers”
Feast on Spirituality Fast from the Cross
“The soldiers then… brought Jesus before Pilate.” “Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers” who “shouted out… Crucify him!” “The soldiers led Jesus away to be executed” on a cross. “When they came to the place called the Skull, the soldiers crucified him.” Jesus lived as a peacemaker, intentionally so. He was not ignorant … Continue reading “Feast on Spirituality Fast from the Cross”
In Liberalism We Trust?
Jeremiah wants to conserve trust in the earthly War Lords who invented the heavenly War Lord, Yahweh, “Blessed is the one who trusts in Yahweh.” Jeremiah wants to dispel trust in the people, “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings.” Jesus blesses the people War Lords curse, “Blessed are you who are poor… … Continue reading “In Liberalism We Trust?”
How Hard It Is For Those Who Have Wealth
A rich man is told by Jesus, “’Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it … Continue reading “How Hard It Is For Those Who Have Wealth”
Capitalism, Socialism, Communism
James is a poor disciple of a poor man, Jesus, who partnered with people to co-create the one “Community of God.” He cautions listeners about how the rich are divisive in the kingdom of Caesar, “Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries… Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who … Continue reading “Capitalism, Socialism, Communism”
Charity, Justice, Healing
Among those who harm Jesus are officials of the synagogue. One day, one of those officials, Jairus, “fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded,” “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” Jesus went to Jairus’ home and “entered the room where … Continue reading “Charity, Justice, Healing”
Seeds of Life
“Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is how it is with the Community of God; it is as if a farmer were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, but the farmer knows not how. Of its own … Continue reading “Seeds of Life”
A New Normal: Social Health
Jesus said to his disciples, I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in them, will bear much fruit.” Bearing fruit is a metaphor indicative of health; physical, psychological, spiritual. Producing sickness is indicative of the exact opposite. A terrible sickness, abnormal in that it is a pandemic, has … Continue reading “A New Normal: Social Health”
Capitalism’s Scarcity or a Mother’s Abundance?
Old Testament priests demand from the people money and consumables such as grain and animals from the people’s labor, “burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar.” Priests burned some of the people’s offerings and sacrifices but stored most for themselves, in the Temple. The Temple operated as an early bank for rulers … Continue reading “Capitalism’s Scarcity or a Mother’s Abundance?”