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”
Tag: peace
A Fulfilling Peace
Jesus makes a proclamation in this Sunday’s Gospel. “This is the time of fulfillment. The Community of God is at hand.” By doing so Jesus shifts the meaning of fulfillment. People longed for centuries of promise to be realized in a time of fulfillment. They had been promised fulfillment in the form of a lone … Continue reading “A Fulfilling Peace”
Baptism: Immersion in Water, Spirit, or Blood
This Sunday’s Gospel describes John’s water baptism of repentance, and the deity who seemingly requires it. The Gospel also describes John’s baptism being transcended. Humanity is invited instead into an immersion in Jesus’ revelation of Divinity as a gentle Spirit; peaceful and loving: “the Spirit, like a dove, descended upon Jesus: And a voice came … Continue reading “Baptism: Immersion in Water, Spirit, or Blood”
Honor
The Gospel writer Matthew twice feels the need to ascribe honor to Jesus related to his birth. Matthew first ascribes honor by assigning a royal blood line to Jesus. Matthew traces Jesus back to the warrior King David. Oddly enough, he traces that blood line through Joseph, a man Matthew himself believed was not Jesus’ … Continue reading “Honor”
Nature
Jesus’ deep connection with nature is apparent in his parables. We see it this Sunday with his parable about the sower, the seeds, and the ground on which the seeds fall. The wise people listening know Jesus is speaking truths about nature as well as truths about humanity. People who are wise are like nature. … Continue reading “Nature”
Rejecting Warmaking, Accepting Peacemaking
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” (John 14:27) Jesus authored for the world a peace entirely unlike that proselytized by the world’s militaries. The military believes in peace, through violence. Jesus’ early followers gave witness to the difference between … Continue reading “Rejecting Warmaking, Accepting Peacemaking”