The Old Testament reading recalls a flood experience, lasting 40 days. Its authors believed an ancient Lord, sparing Noah, justifiably waged war against life itself and “destroyed all mortal beings.” The Old Testament then shows war being continually waged by believers in the Lord; Moses, Joshua, David, and the like. The Gospel reading recalls a … Continue reading “Giving Up War for Lent and for Life”
Tag: warriors
Musings on Love
Isaiah writes “The LORD goes forth like a warrior, like a man of war he stirs up his fury; He shouts out his battle cry, against his enemies.” John the Baptist heralds Isaiah’s warrior deity and tries to save people from being an enemy to that deity by cleansing people of past sins. John then … Continue reading “Musings on Love”
Women Are Wise
Today’s Old Testament reading unfortunately begins with a fool, the warrior King David. He is feeling anxious because he is not currently laboring at killing, “the LORD has given him rest from his enemies.” The Gospel reading fortunately tells of a wise soul, the lover Mary. She is feeling at peace for she will soon … Continue reading “Women Are Wise”
The Challenge to Change Religion
Sunday’s first reading concerns child sacrifice. Yahweh wants Abraham to murder his young son, Isaac, as a test of faith. Will Abraham offer his son in a blood sacrifice ritual for Yahweh? It turns out that Abraham will. At the last moment, however, Yahweh stops Abraham but commends his willingness to obey the violent command. … Continue reading “The Challenge to Change Religion”
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”
Militarism’s Blood Sacrifice System
The opening verses of Sunday’s Gospel describe an ancient and assuredly gruesome practice; blood sacrifice. Blood sacrifice of animals, even humans, has been practiced across history and long considered holy. It was practiced by the people of ancient China and India, by the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Aztecs, and still more. Readers of the Old Testament … Continue reading “Militarism’s Blood Sacrifice System”