An old joke about lawyers shows how legal complexities can render us unaware, dangerously so. Two lawyers were out hunting when they came upon tracks. The first lawyer declared them to be deer tracks but the second insisted they must be elk tracks. They were still arguing when the train hit them. So it is … Continue reading “Aware of Love”
Tag: love
How Comfortable Am I With Courage?
Jesus is a courageous man. He consistently stands up to those oppressing others and himself. He seems comfortable in doing so. An Old Testament figure, Jeremiah, is sometimes likened to Jesus, described as a man who is also oppressed and yet courageous. Does an accurate comparison exist between Jesus and Jeremiah as to their being … Continue reading “How Comfortable Am I With Courage?”
Spectrum of Learning: Illuminate
Joseph lives in the shadows of the Gospel with Matthew alone shining any light upon him. That light first comes in the form of Joseph’s genealogy which is helpful in providing Jesus some credibility with Matthew’s Jewish readers. The second time and the focus of this Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew shines a light on Joseph to … Continue reading “Spectrum of Learning: Illuminate”
To Be Unlike and Like
Jesus tells a parable of a Pharisee, “convinced of his own righteousness who despised everyone else.” He is a man who believes he is unlike other commoners. He is supreme, without sin. The Pharisee is helping maintain an entire system of supremacists who force lesser men to be obedient to them. The system includes forcing … Continue reading “To Be Unlike and Like”
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”
Love Amidst Challenge
“Do you love me?” I asked upon looking into the mirror in my youth. “Respect who you are.” “Do you love me?” they asked as I sought to join them. “Stand with us in our time of need.” “Do you love me?” he asked as we journeyed into marriage. “Be with me, for better, for … Continue reading “Love Amidst Challenge”
Who Knows?
Jesus knows the teachings of the Jewish tradition. After he has been away for a while he returns to the local synagogue and reads from its teachings. He is thus known again by the men of his village as being one of them. However, Jesus then goes on to interpret the reading. He does so … Continue reading “Who Knows?”
Mothers Take the Lead
Jesus’ witness as a loving and strong leader is apparent in this Sunday’s Gospel. He tells community members, “Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love … This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down … Continue reading “Mothers Take the Lead”
Distinctions
Jesus makes use of distinctions in some of his parables. He makes a distinction between sheep and goats in the parable he tells this Sunday. The distinction highlights the difference between humble loving actions that need to be practiced and proud harmful ones that require conversion. This distinction and others are so obvious they confirm … Continue reading “Distinctions”
The Risk of Love
Love is the greatest risk of all. No other risk we take renders us more vulnerable. Yet no other risk we take gives our lives more meaning. And so we risk love; with family again and again. We risk love again and again with friends and with neighbors we meet here and there in the … Continue reading “The Risk of Love”