“Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unhealthy spirit… Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Come out of him!’ The unhealthy spirit… came out of him. All were amazed … Continue reading “Davos and Hollow Men”
Tag: Donald Trump
Y’all Don’t Know What White Privilege Looks Like
A young Samuel in today’s Old Testament reading believes he is being called and responds, “Here I am.” Andrew in today’s Gospel believes he is being called and responds by following Jesus who lives in and keeps building a community. It is natural to consider our lives and our life’s calling in individual terms – … Continue reading “Y’all Don’t Know What White Privilege Looks Like”
Dictators Destroying the Common Good
Jesus tells a parable of a debtor who receives a loan he cannot repay, “the lender… let him go and forgave him the loan.” “When that debtor had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what … Continue reading “Dictators Destroying the Common Good”
Killing Conscience is Killing Democracy
“Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed.” Jesus understands the killer ethics of the dictator class. They will kill him and will command subordinate soldier/slaves to do the deed. An extremely small number of very … Continue reading “Killing Conscience is Killing Democracy”
Aggrieved Cult Members
A Canaanite woman cries out to Jesus, “’My daughter is tormented by a demon’. But Jesus did not say a word. His disciples said, ‘Send her away, for she keeps calling out.’ Jesus then said to her, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But the woman said, ‘Help … Continue reading “Aggrieved Cult Members”
Why Are We Fighting in Jesus’ Name?
Amidst people fawning over the temple’s finery, Jesus speaks of the building’s demise, so too the religion of Militarism that constructs it while destroying people. Religion’s demise is a disturbance to rulers who fight Jesus. Religion’s demise is a curiosity to disciples who question Jesus, “when will this happen?” Jesus cautions, “Many will come in … Continue reading “Why Are We Fighting in Jesus’ Name?”
Patriarchal Precepts on Sexual Violence
Moses sets forth “statutes and decrees which,” if “observed,” will gain the dutiful a reward, ‘you may… take possession of the property which the LORD… is giving you.’ Jesus does not observe Moses patriarchal precepts, “You teach as doctrines mere human precepts.” Patriarchal precepts control the behavior of men who also gain rewards from them. … Continue reading “Patriarchal Precepts on Sexual Violence”
Belonging to Caesar
The ‘Chosen People’ of ancient Israel were defeated by Babylonian enemies and dreamed of rebuilding their empire. When Persia’s King Cyrus defeated Babylon, he furthered the Israelites’ realization of that dream and they acclaim him. Cyrus is thus contrived as an agent of Yahweh, “Thus says the Lord to his anointed, Cyrus.” “It is I … Continue reading “Belonging to Caesar”
Anti-Abortion: Different Means and Ends
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my community, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” You are Mary, and upon this beloved I will build my community. You are Perpetua and Felicity, and upon this endurance and happiness I will build my community. You are Hans and … Continue reading “Anti-Abortion: Different Means and Ends”
A Revolution of Love
Jesus is a loving man. He opens his heart, indeed his whole life to a variety of people who reflect a variety of personalities. Which is not to say his encounters are always pleasant. He is targeted by antagonistic, angry, and even vengeful personalities – always they are dominant rulers or those who desire the … Continue reading “A Revolution of Love”