Gospel author Luke chronicles hardships rulers constantly direct at Jesus, disciples, and others. Not wanting to lose heart amidst the hardships, disciples ask Jesus, “Increase our faith.” Jesus replies, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this tree, ‘Be uprooted and transplanted in the sea,’ and it would … Continue reading “Powerful Women of Faith”
Tag: death penalty
Well-Formed Conscience Well-Formed Law
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew, writing to a Jewish audience, has Jesus say, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” (Mt 5:17) The line is misinterpreted and isolated to contradict Jesus’ revolutionary life witness. In particular, the line contradicts … Continue reading “Well-Formed Conscience Well-Formed Law”
Executing Christianity
The woman caught in adultery is a well-known Gospel story. Perhaps we have heard it too often to any longer feel its terror. Officials are purposeful about dragging a frightened woman into public to execute a death penalty plan against her. They intend murder and set upon stoning her to death. Before doing so, the … Continue reading “Executing Christianity”
Saved and Condemned
God really is not a father that lives in the sky, though John’s Gospel imagines it in today’s reading. This father God does not grant salvation to those who believe in him and obey him. Neither does this imagined deity condemn those who do not. All of that is just a projection put onto God … Continue reading “Saved and Condemned”
Abundant Life
Jesus spent his life in nature. He consistently identified with nature. He used nature in his parables. He used it for metaphors when teaching people about life. Jesus is speaking about nature, sheep and shepherds specifically, and about life in general this Sunday when he says, “A thief comes only to … destroy; I came … Continue reading “Abundant Life”