“As Jesus was making his way out of the temple area, one of his disciples said, Look, teacher, what stones and what buildings. Jesus responded, ‘Do you see these great buildings? There will not be one stone left upon another that will not be thrown down.’” Jesus talks of the tribulation of those days and … Continue reading “Deconstructing the Working Man Identity”
Tag: empire
Noise to Move Us
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind.” “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues… (People) from every nation… gathered in a large crowd… (and) each one … Continue reading “Noise to Move Us”
Midwife: To Stand With Life
Midwives ‘stand with’ women who are with child. Midwives guide women in bringing beautiful new life to birth. Elizabeth acts as a midwife to Mary of Nazareth. She guides her young cousin most especially in a spiritual way. One example is by Elizabeth receiving Mary and her baby with great joy. Mary, as any young … Continue reading “Midwife: To Stand With Life”
Mission for All Time
Disciples had been sent on a healing mission by Jesus. After returning they “told him all they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.’ But people were coming in great numbers.” When he “saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with compassion … Continue reading “Mission for All Time”
The Old and The New
Jesus has been telling people terrorized by Empire, both David’s and Caesar’s, parables about the Community of God. The Community of God is described as a treasure, a fine pearl, a net and thus surprising, joyful, fulfilling. Upon concluding all the parables Jesus says, “Every scribe who has been instructed in the Community of God … Continue reading “The Old and The New”
Led By The Spirit
“At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.” Jesus is led away from family, friends, even physical sustenance and he is hungry. Yet Jesus has been led by the Spirit to this … Continue reading “Led By The Spirit”
The Point of Our View
When Jesus was passing through Jericho, “he looked up” and saw Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus had “climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus.” Zacchaeus had to change his point of view in order to see Jesus, to encounter him. He could not do so from his original point of view, it rendered him short-sighted. His short-sighted point … Continue reading “The Point of Our View”
Whose Language Do Evangelical Imperialists Speak?
Dear Evangelicals, When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, you were all in one [palace] together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving [spin], and it filled the entire [white]house in which you were. Then there appeared to you [glory] as of fire, which parted and came to rest … Continue reading “Whose Language Do Evangelical Imperialists Speak?”
Shifting To A Bright Light
“The people sit in darkness.” A tyrant, aligned with another more tyrannical ruler, controls the darkness. He’s entombing a challenger in his darkness. The people need someone to step forth as a light. Someone does and offers a vision into the darkness and, more importantly, a vision beyond it. With this Sunday’s Gospel in one … Continue reading “Shifting To A Bright Light”
Are Christians Willfully Ignorant of Jesus’ Nonviolence?
Jesus initiates a radical paradigm shift for humanity when he teaches and gives witness to the Community of God, sometimes translated as the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ Kingdom of God shifts humanity to communion, love, and creative healing power thus transforming the kingdom of Caesar’s domination, suffering, and violence. Unfortunately, institutional christianity hinders that transformation. … Continue reading “Are Christians Willfully Ignorant of Jesus’ Nonviolence?”