Year B – Sunday 26
Readings: Numbers 11: 25-29; James 5: 1-6; Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48
Jesus makes the famous pronouncement: “He that is not against us is for us,” thereby extending his kingdom-building beyond the confines of any group or category. The builders of God’s Kingdom need not necessarily be Christians or even theists. They may be of any sort and type as long as they believe, work and spread the values of the Kingdom. The same goes for the demolishers of the Kingdom. They may call themselves Christians. Nevertheless, if they do not bear the values of the Kingdom they may not be considered to be part of Jesus’ dream.
Moses makes the same point. The Spirit of the Kingdom is not restricted to any ‘chosen’. All sorts of people consider themselves to be the chosen ones. Just like the Hebrews, today represented by Joshua, their idea of election was exclusive and intolerant. Moses, like Jesus, contradicts any concept of exclusion, intolerance, categorisation or labelling. The Spirit of Jesus, which is the Spirit of God, can never be exclusively ‘Christian’. This is fanaticism not religion.
There are no categories which may claim the Spirit of God. James makes this clear when speaking about those who thought themselves to be better than others, or more worthy of God’s promises. The choice God makes of those whom he might call his own does not follow the us-them divide of human reasoning.
Showing posts with label Mark 9. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark 9. Show all posts
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
No domination whatsoever
Year B - Sunday 25
Readings: Wisdom 2:17-20; James 3:16–4:3; Mark 9:30–37
The forms of domination which can be noticed around us are many: sexism, racism, environmental destruction, militarism, ageism, patriarchy, clericalism, imperialism, specism, heterosexism, classism, ablism, ... The list seems to be endless. All types of domination stem from the evil desire of control; people wanting to manipulate others, involuntarily coercing them to their own will. These power-mongers are very often ruthless, whether they exist within families, amongst neighbours, at the workplace, or in government. The selection from the Book of Wisdom intimates how such people might think. James, furthermore, gets down to pointing out that every desire of dominion over others originates from jealousy and selfish ambition, and only begets disorder and every vile practice.
Jesus wholeheartedly condemns any domination whatsoever. He transforms power into service, and clearly shows that, if his chosen are to be together ― as they should be ― than their society must be one of equals working jointly for the benefit of all. Domination is ruled out altogether, and the norm of ‘one for all and all for one’ is established.
Readings: Wisdom 2:17-20; James 3:16–4:3; Mark 9:30–37
The forms of domination which can be noticed around us are many: sexism, racism, environmental destruction, militarism, ageism, patriarchy, clericalism, imperialism, specism, heterosexism, classism, ablism, ... The list seems to be endless. All types of domination stem from the evil desire of control; people wanting to manipulate others, involuntarily coercing them to their own will. These power-mongers are very often ruthless, whether they exist within families, amongst neighbours, at the workplace, or in government. The selection from the Book of Wisdom intimates how such people might think. James, furthermore, gets down to pointing out that every desire of dominion over others originates from jealousy and selfish ambition, and only begets disorder and every vile practice.
Jesus wholeheartedly condemns any domination whatsoever. He transforms power into service, and clearly shows that, if his chosen are to be together ― as they should be ― than their society must be one of equals working jointly for the benefit of all. Domination is ruled out altogether, and the norm of ‘one for all and all for one’ is established.
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