Grieving

Jesus’ suffering and death is detailed in this final week of Lent. It is excruciating and it is intentionally inflicted. The pain of it all is expressed by Jesus throughout; the agony in the garden, his betrayal by Judas, being arrested, being tortured, being murdered. It is excruciating for his loved ones who witness the … Continue reading “Grieving”

Coming Forth From Our Sepulchers

Lazarus is dead. His sisters, Martha and Mary are heartsick that he has been taken from them. He has been put in his tomb, a cave with a stone rolled over the entrance. He has been there for four days. He will be in his tomb for an eternity of days as his energy for … Continue reading “Coming Forth From Our Sepulchers”

Resigned to Death or Committed to Life?

Resignation to death could have been a common malaise during Jesus’ era. Jesus lived in a time and place when the majority of people died young, their lives cut short. One such youth is a child of twelve deeply loved by her father Jairus. She is stricken and death lurks. But Jairus will not resign … Continue reading “Resigned to Death or Committed to Life?”

Friday to Sunday

A story is often told us but it is a false one: a supreme being is angry with a sinful humanity and wills their deserved suffering and death. The story is told by an ancient and extremely influential religion, Militarism. Militarism has a long history of projecting its War Lords into the heavens as deities. … Continue reading “Friday to Sunday”

From Death Unto Life

The power described of Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospel is astounding. So astounding it seems unbelievable. It is astounding enough that Jesus heals people’s ailing bodies. How is it to be believed, as today’s Gospel relates, that Jesus brings people forth into life after they have died? Can it be believed from our own … Continue reading “From Death Unto Life”

New Life

All the world rejoices in the birthing of new life. The faith of followers of Jesus flows from such joy. It is the joy of birth and of rebirth, the Resurrection. The Resurrection is a topic in this Sunday’s Gospel. It proposes that every birth and every rebirth flow from a life-giving Spirit. One celebration … Continue reading “New Life”