Jesus tells a parable about a “judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being.” Jesus’ listeners know the truth about judges, men of status. Judges can act as tyrants, as this one does, specifically acting as a tyrant against a “widow.” Jesus’ listeners also know the truth about widows, … Continue reading “How is Tyranny Possible in the U.S.?”
Tag: slavery
Finishing the Work
Jesus is talking to, “great crowds traveling with (him)” about the work of being his “disciple.” He tells a parable about “laying the foundation” and tells of others needed to “finish the work.” It requires we renounce our possessions, “anyone who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Today’s accompanying New Testament … Continue reading “Finishing the Work”
In Liberalism We Trust?
Jeremiah wants to conserve trust in the earthly War Lords who invented the heavenly War Lord, Yahweh, “Blessed is the one who trusts in Yahweh.” Jeremiah wants to dispel trust in the people, “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings.” Jesus blesses the people War Lords curse, “Blessed are you who are poor… … Continue reading “In Liberalism We Trust?”
Capitalism, Socialism, Communism
James is a poor disciple of a poor man, Jesus, who partnered with people to co-create the one “Community of God.” He cautions listeners about how the rich are divisive in the kingdom of Caesar, “Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries… Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who … Continue reading “Capitalism, Socialism, Communism”
Forgiving Seventy-Seven Times
Peter is pondering a limit or cap on the number of times he needs to forgive someone. He says to Jesus, “If my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus famously responds, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Who of us have forgiven … Continue reading “Forgiving Seventy-Seven Times”
Capitalism’s Scarcity or a Mother’s Abundance?
The Old Testament reading includes priests demanding material resources from the people’s labor, “burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar.” Priests burned some of the people’s offerings but stored most for themselves, in the Temple. The Temple operated as an early bank for rulers to withdraw deposits from the people’s labor with … Continue reading “Capitalism’s Scarcity or a Mother’s Abundance?”
Decorating Our Memories
The disciples were “all in one place together” when “tongues as of fire, parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Spirit and began to speak… as the Spirit enabled them.” They went out among people gathered together from across the world. It was not to … Continue reading “Decorating Our Memories”
The Case For Reparations
In the Old Testament, “the Lord,” wears a MAGA hat: Make Atonement Great Again. Atonement requires reparations, which are payments from the people, commoners, to “the Lord.” The Old Testament, written mostly by ‘Lords,’ asserts commoners are “depraved,” deserving of death via “the Lord’s wrath.” But, for a price, reparation can be made by the … Continue reading “The Case For Reparations”
Elder Esteem
In today’s Gospel Jesus says, “If anyone comes to me without hating father and mother…they cannot be my disciple.” Jesus is undoing the esteem given to worldly position. Unfortunately, Paul, in the second reading, reasserts such esteem. Paul thus reassert patriarchy and slavery. Patriarchy is fatherly possessiveness over a lesser, for example a child or … Continue reading “Elder Esteem”
Humiliated as Property
Feeling humiliated as a piece of property weaves through this Sunday’s readings. The Israelites feel humiliated as slaves in Egypt, owned as property. Unfortunately, these ex-slaves then conquer and humiliate other people as slaves in “the land of Canaan” and own them as property. Jesus highlights the feeling by telling a parable of a rich … Continue reading “Humiliated as Property”