Jesus tells a parable about people in a vineyard who go on a killing spree. They “seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned.” “They treated (others) in the same way.” Then, “when they saw the son, they said, “Come, let us kill him.” The men kill because … Continue reading “Killing Fields or Fruitful Fields?”
Tag: violence
Faithless Christians
Jesus is caught in a storm at sea in today’s Gospel and tells disciples to have faith. Paul says he has faith in Jesus and writes his letters after Jesus establishes the Community of God for all people. However, in Paul’s writings there is a sinking feeling he doubts both Jesus and the Community of … Continue reading “Faithless Christians”
Have We Done What We Were Obliged To Do?
Faith is generally understood as believing in a Supreme Being, and, perhaps, believing that because of our faith, that Supreme Being will do something for us. The prophet Habakkuk, in this Sunday’s first reading, has such faith and believes his Lord will do something for him, “O Lord, … I cry out to you.” The … Continue reading “Have We Done What We Were Obliged To Do?”
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”
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”
Ferguson: Violence or Peace
Every Advent brings a switch in the particular Gospel to be read for the coming year; Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. This is a problem when the slated Gospel is Mark because Mark has no infancy narrative to raise our awareness of Jesus’ coming birth. Thus, Sunday’s Gospel is instead raising our awareness of Jesus’ … Continue reading “Ferguson: Violence or Peace”
Exaltation of Weapons
Some distortions are so bizarre it is difficult to understand their existence. This Sunday’s feast day of the Exaltation of the Cross is one such bizarre distortion. Would Christians consider celebrating a feast day named The Extolling of the Electric Chair or The Acclaim of the AK 47? Would Christians wear one of those instruments … Continue reading “Exaltation of Weapons”
Reaching Out in Truth
What are the responsibilities of an Old Testament prophet? Overall it was to call people to convert. Old Testament prophets could fulfill their responsibilities by lording sinner’s guilt over them. They could threaten doom until offenders repented. Jesus’ witness was not centered on guilt or doom or harm of any type. Jesus was instead centered … Continue reading “Reaching Out in Truth”
Independence From Violence
Independence from violence is the life witness of those who follow Jesus. In this Sunday’s Gospel, James and John are not yet giving witness to following Jesus. Samaritans have rejected Jesus. James and John want to “rain down fire” upon the Samaritans. Jesus rebukes both saying, “You don’t know of what kind of spirit you … Continue reading “Independence From Violence”
Resurrection
Resurrection means so many things. It means Christ Jesus lives. It means the creative healing power of God endures beyond the grave. Christ Jesus lives beyond the suffering and death inflicted upon him. That pain was inflicted by Militarists who believe violence is a saving act and that they have the right to inflict it. … Continue reading “Resurrection”