Tag: Jesus

Arrival of a Pregnancy

Advent means arrival and specifically harkens the arrival of the Christ child, Jesus of Nazareth. The Gospel readings throughout Advent always expand the meaning of Jesus’ arrival. For example, the Advent readings include Jesus’ arrival into public ministry. John the Baptist’s experience is thus emphasized. The readings also include messages mistakenly interpreted as Jesus’ arrival … Continue reading “Arrival of a Pregnancy”

The Misguided Concern for Personal Salvation

Jesus shows concern for others. Out of concern for others he is willing to lead a dangerous life. He intentionally challenges the world’s political, financial, and theological status quo. That status quo is devised by Militarists; supremacists, who abuse, and violate common people. Militarists need to be challenged. Jesus starts gathering common people together for … Continue reading “The Misguided Concern for Personal Salvation”

God as Father

Yahweh is a deity within the religion of Militarism. He is the fictional War Lord deity invented by Hebrew War Lords. Yahweh sanctifies Old Testament rulers who dominate over the people. Yahweh cannot be compared to the historical peacemaker Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospel. Attempts to connect the two, however, are sometimes made. One … Continue reading “God as Father”

Life in Christ, Doctrines in Paul

Jesus tells a heartbreaking parable this Sunday. In part, it is about a wretchedly poor man. His misery is painstaking, “Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.” More heartbreaking is the part about a wretchedly rich man. His misery is so painstaking he is unaware that “lying at his door was a poor … Continue reading “Life in Christ, Doctrines in Paul”

Suffering and Violence: Reality and Fable

This Sunday’s long Gospel is about the suffering and violence inflicted upon Jesus. It describes his arrest, trial, torture, and murder. Scripture scholars usually sanctify the violence done to Jesus as in keeping  with a ‘suffering servant’ character from Isaiah. Of Isaiah’s 1,292 verses, 30 are so titled. One sample ‘suffering servant’ verse is, “He … Continue reading “Suffering and Violence: Reality and Fable”

How Can We Extend Our Children’s Families?

A story is told about Jesus being lost when he is 12 years old. Mary and Joseph are returning home from a festival in Jerusalem. Having journeyed for a day already, Mary and Joseph cannot find Jesus nestled in the safety of extended family members. They return to the city and, after three days of … Continue reading “How Can We Extend Our Children’s Families?”

Hearing the Cry of the Poor and the Earth

There is an analogy between Jesus’ Gospel witness this Sunday and Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the earth, Laudato Si. The particular ingredient of the analogy is the transformation of a system that marginalizes people. Both Jesus and Pope Francis give care to people who are made poor, sick, and forgotten by directing healing attention … Continue reading “Hearing the Cry of the Poor and the Earth”

Possession

Possession is of central importance in this Sunday’s Gospel. Jesus heals a possessed man and people are astonished at his authority to do so. Commentators on this and other Gospel stories of possession sometimes alter or dismiss the possession element. They suggest possession is a misunderstanding of mental illness. However, possession may in fact be … Continue reading “Possession”

Names

The name Satan conjures up monstrous images; such as a maleficent horned creature robed in red. If rendered human, still the images are monstrous, conjuring up evil people. The word evil, however, was originally defined as an adversary. It could mean one was in league with the devil but that name too lacks the monstrous … Continue reading “Names”