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?”
Tag: empire
Having Something Done For Us or By Us
Bartimaeus, who is blind, is making a racket. Although censored by onlookers he persists. He eventually gets the attention he wants from Jesus but that is not all he wants. Bartimaeus puts his faith in Jesus. Jesus, in turn, puts a question to him, What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus replies, … Continue reading “Having Something Done For Us or By Us”
Who Do We Remember?
Pentecost for peacemakers is easily contrasted with Militarism’s Memorial Day for citizens. On Pentecost, peacemakers remember Jesus was always bringing people together; sharing diversity, compassion, and friendship with people. On Memorial Day, citizens remember warriors who are always being pitted against other people; coercing tribalism, fighting, and being killed and/or killing opponents. Citizens are perpetual … Continue reading “Who Do We Remember?”
Interrogation
Rulers are interrogating John the Baptist. Why would members of the ruling class “from Jerusalem send priests and Levites to” interrogate a somewhat obscure man? Perhaps they are disturbed by his nonconformity. Nonconformity, no matter how seemingly small, could be reason enough for the rulers to interrogate him. John’s nonconformity is personal and social. He … Continue reading “Interrogation”
Reaching Out in Truth
What are the responsibilities of an Old Testament prophet? Overall it was to call people to convert back to Yahweh. Old Testament prophets could fulfill their responsibilities by lording sinner’s guilt over them. They could threaten doom until offenders repented. Jesus’ witness was not centered on guilt or doom or harm of any type. Jesus … Continue reading “Reaching Out in Truth”
Weeds and Wheat
The story is told of a man driving a winding country road. He is almost run off it by a woman who rounds a curve too wide. As she gets back onto her side she yells at him, “Pig!” He promptly responds, “Idiot!” only to round the bend and crash into a pig. We don’t … Continue reading “Weeds and Wheat”
Church
People’s movements often start in someone’s house, usually around the kitchen table. They tend to bubble up with free flowing conversations and a vision for change. Little by little such movements spread. They can spread so far and wide and deep as to diminish empire. Protectors of empire, really they are imprisoned by it, by … Continue reading “Church”
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”
Faith Works
The Gospel according to John emphasizes Jesus’ Divinity. Jesus’ Divinity is at the service of the physical world, especially healing its pain. The Gospel thus emphasizes all that is physical is being transformed. Everything that brings pain and suffering – our bodies, this world, Jesus’ death – all of it is being transformed. Do not … Continue reading “Faith Works”
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”