Border Attacks on Our Home

Three young women are walking home late at night. The first says “We should split up so that if someone attacks us, one of us is free to get help.” The second says “We should stay together so that if someone attacks us, we can fight him off better.” The third girl says “If I … Continue reading “Border Attacks on Our Home”

Violating Borders

Sunday’s first reading uses a dominating tree to symbolize Yahweh’s protected empire and the submission all will one pay to the deity, “Every tree of the field will know that I am the Lord.” Jesus has no interest in empires, their borders, or their violent warlords who protect and sanctify it all. He acts to … Continue reading “Violating Borders”

Orphaned Jesus

Jesus knows his suffering and death are approaching and he is saying good bye to disciples. He promises to return as an Advocating Spirit, “I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you.” The practice of reaching out to child orphans was one of the starkest counter-cultural practices of Jesus’ first followers. A … Continue reading “Orphaned Jesus”

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”