Lead by crowd curiosity We stare at the crucifixion Mixed emotions makes God hard to see, A mother weeps in her affliction, As humanity perseveres in dereliction.
Yet, we must rise above the spectacle, Into a worthy form of contemplation, Above this bizarre, bloodthirst festival, To see the good, the holy, and acceptable.
Visions of hope as sin is swallowed, Death’s sting no longer impregnable, Christ ‘s final words are closely followed.
“Into Your hands I commend my Spirit”, Jesus finds favor in the Father’s merit.
The epiphany to the slumbering heart should awaken the deep humiliation of a tender heart for God. It is humanity’s glimpse into our requirement for a Savior to rescue us from our pride and reason. In light of the crucifixion it is no longer acceptable to say, “I’m okay and you’re okay.” The crucifixion of Christ is a divine thrusting of a glimmering sword deeply implanted into our planet to be seen as the Truth of God’s humility and fullfilment of the Way through perfect love towards eternal Life. One must consider what are the actions of true love? It is to lay one’s life down for another. Why? When real courage steps into the breach shielding violence from a possible victim, the fruit of one’s action is both a symbol and sign of true freedom. Freedom becomes dualistic as a mentor of fearlessness and sign of the miraculous gift of acting in step with true love. This was demonstrated at Club Q.
However, what is antithetical to love, is abounding in our cultural rhetoric today. An insidious intention lurks below political and religious speech. There is a blind acceptance to political the false-shepherd’s fear-based ideology who flees the opposite direction while his blind and misguided sheep bloodthirst storms the Capitol. Their low-hanging, rotting fruit manifests in a gallow as their enthusiasm crushes to death a police officer standing in the breach. Without shame, the power of this ideology holds back its followers to even pay respects towards this “boy in blue”. The irony of this is not lost but stands as a conviction against those arrogantly flying a new American flag shaded in blue insinuating support towards the suffocating blue knee pressed upon the neck of a citizen pleading to breathe. This is the new fearful and cowardly ‘Merica not the home of the brave and free. ‘Merica’s fascination with guns, even when strapped tightly to body armor hesitates for two excruciating minutes while children in Uvalde are executed. No laying down of one’s life here just shaking knees wet pants, and indecision. Yes, many prayers and thoughts from bishops to politicians were paraded before all media. Yet there seems to be a line in the sand, certainly not drawn by Jesus, that even bishops and politicians refuse to empathetically cross with thoughts and prayers when victims are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Why is there no heartfelt anguish for this type of violence? The reason is because this lower class of citizen, as well as non-white populations, and those with physical and mental challenges is deemed unworthy of ‘Merica’s melting pot. Lower class proves to be a favorite historical scapegoat. A history that lawfully cannot be taught. Truth has no place in history – it should only be aggrandized by the winners that wrote it. Yet, the human heart, despite its hardened facade, is designed to recognize the scapegoat. The plea from the ultimate scapegoat crucified upon Golgotha, still echoes today, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they are doing.” Although the body can be killed, the soul cannot – nor can generations of memories. Let’s take a moment to remember Elie Weisel the Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor. It’s his words I prefer, not of the groomed, white-royalty elected through monstrous warchests. Consider some of his famous quotes:
“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.”
“Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds.”
“Some stories are true that never happened.”
“Because of indifference, one dies before one actually dies.”
It also should be added that hate, in all of its capacities of indifference, breeds self-hate.
Back to today’s ever-growing ideology proving only in divisiveness, the words written in Zechariah 10 and 11, lists five signs of a false shepherding.
The false shepherd is signified by false doctrine (10:1-2a).
The false shepherd is signified by self-exaltation (10:2b, 3).
3. The false shepherd is signified by blind acceptance…from his flock (10:2c).
4. The false shepherd is signified by uncaring devastation (11:15-17).
5. The false shepherd is signified by divine judgment (10:4; 11:1-3). False shepherds should be corrected and avoided from being placed in leadership at all costs.
Arguments rage in dividing religion and nation not in unifying. Unifying is the task of the Blessed Spirit while dividing is the onus of politics. An oldie but a goodie is found in Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Why do you think we wrestle? In my humble opinion, we wrestle because our heart is designed towards empathy and in particular, the scapegoat. We forget God’s reasoning may not agree even with our biblical knowledge. Recall that Christ, the Son of God, often confronted the Pharisees understanding of what was written with what was intended. Jesus often asked questions, told parables, instead of giving opinions and answers. Why? To allow the listener’s heart a chance at the table. America was founded upon Judeo-Christian principals allowing unforeseen equity in amendments for this nation’s heart to wrestle with.
My only question:
If Christianity still believes the Holy Spirit is still at work what is it convicting us of and what is It trying to unify?
The epiphany to the slumbering heart should awaken the deep humiliation of a tender heart for God. It is humanity’s glimpse into our requirement for a Savior to rescue us from our pride and reason. In light of the crucifixion it is no longer acceptable to say, “I’m okay and you’re okay.” The crucifixion of Christ is a divine thrusting of a glimmering sword deeply implanted into our planet to be seen as the Truth of God’s humility and fullfilment of the Way through perfect love towards eternal Life. One must consider what are the actions of true love? It is to lay one’s life down for another. Why? When real courage steps into the breach shielding violence from a possible victim, the fruit of one’s action is both a symbol and sign of true freedom. Freedom becomes dualistic as a mentor of fearlessness and sign of the miraculous gift of acting in step with true love. This was demonstrated at Club Q.
However, what is antithetical to love, is abounding in our cultural rhetoric today. An insidious intention lurks below political and religious speech. There is a blind acceptance to political the false-shepherd’s fear-based ideology who flees the opposite direction while his blind and misguided sheep bloodthirst storms the Capitol. Their low-hanging, rotting fruit manifests in a gallow as their enthusiasm crushes to death a police officer standing in the breach. Without shame, the power of this ideology holds back its followers to even pay respects towards this “boy in blue”. The irony of this is not lost but stands as a conviction against those arrogantly flying a new American flag shaded in blue insinuating support towards the suffocating blue knee pressed upon the neck of a citizen pleading to breathe. This is the new fearful and cowardly ‘Merica not the home of the brave and free. ‘Merica’s fascination with guns, even when strapped tightly to body armor hesitates for two excruciating minutes while children in Uvalde are executed. No laying down of one’s life here just shaking knees wet pants, and indecision. Yes, many prayers and thoughts from bishops to politicians were paraded before all media. Yet there seems to be a line in the sand, certainly not drawn by Jesus, that even bishops and politicians refuse to empathetically cross with thoughts and prayers when victims are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Why is there no heartfelt anguish for this type of violence? The reason is because this lower class of citizen, as well as non-white populations, and those with physical and mental challenges is deemed unworthy of ‘Merica’s melting pot. Lower class proves to be a favorite historical scapegoat. A history that lawfully cannot be taught. Truth has no place in history – it should only be aggrandized by the winners that wrote it. Yet, the human heart, despite its hardened facade, is designed to recognize the scapegoat. The plea from the ultimate scapegoat crucified upon Golgotha, still echoes today, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they are doing.” Although the body can be killed, the soul cannot – nor can generations of memories. Let’s take a moment to remember Elie Weisel the Romanian-born American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor. It’s his words I prefer, not of the groomed, white-royalty elected through monstrous warchests. Consider some of his famous quotes:
“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.”
“Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds.”
“Some stories are true that never happened.”
“Because of indifference, one dies before one actually dies.”
It also should be added that hate, in all of its capacities of indifference, breeds self-hate.
Back to today’s ever-growing ideology proving only in divisiveness, the words written in Zechariah 10 and 11, lists five signs of a false shepherding.
The false shepherd is signified by false doctrine (10:1-2a).
The false shepherd is signified by self-exaltation (10:2b, 3).
3. The false shepherd is signified by blind acceptance…from his flock (10:2c).
4. The false shepherd is signified by uncaring devastation (11:15-17).
5. The false shepherd is signified by divine judgment (10:4; 11:1-3). False shepherds should be corrected and avoided from being placed in leadership at all costs.
Arguments rage in dividing religion and nation not in unifying. Unifying is the task of the Blessed Spirit while dividing is the onus of politics. An oldie but a goodie is found in Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Why do you think we wrestle? In my humble opinion, we wrestle because our heart is designed towards empathy and in particular, the scapegoat. We forget God’s reasoning may not agree even with our biblical knowledge. Recall that Christ, the Son of God, often confronted the Pharisees understanding of what was written with what was intended. Jesus often asked questions, told parables, instead of giving opinions and answers. Why? To allow the listener’s heart a chance at the table. America was founded upon Judeo-Christian principals allowing unforeseen equity in amendments for this nation’s heart to wrestle with.
My only question:
If Christianity still believes the Holy Spirit is still at work what is it convicting us of and what is It trying to unify?
Black was the dawn,
of our betrayal,
children banished,
Cain kills Able.
Sin’s dark legacy,
grows and continues…
wars lay wastw hope,
cutting bone from sinews.
Hardened hearts nurture,
endless pride and lust,
wrath opens the earth,
swallowing gold’s distrust.
Tablets lay shattered,
strewn upon the ground,
soon prophets foresee,
crucifixions’s crown.
Black was the dawn,
betrayed and kissed,
flesh striped by scourging,
lacerated by spit.
A lamb finds slaughter,
awaiting a cross,
love refines sacrifice,
from our dross.
Blinded by bloodthirst,
to Heaven’s facade,
His head falling slump,
their crooked smiles nod. “And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how He died, he said, “Surely this was the Son of God.” (Mark 15:39)
I listened to a podcast called Evangibros that I highly recommend. I encourage all to listen to one in particular regarding the confrontation of racism. The link is below:
Why? Because it is challenging, deeply thought provoking, and hopefully uncomfortable. The hosts, Don M. Schiewer and George M. Benson invite a very close friend’s of Don named Chris Sanchez. I have intentionally prayed, fasted, and gratefully sat in silence in hopes to see and experience the hurt in not just Chris’ eyes but also through the rejected Nazorean. The hope of this podcast is to invite all respectful discussion with open ears, minds, and hearts. For the ‘privileged’, like myself, it is simply best to be still and silent. And so I have, for many days pleading in silent prayer to combine my experiences with Chris’ knowing we are more like Christ when we seek community despite our various differences.
The first stone cast by Chris towards my already broken glass house of piety crashed in as a reminder of how oppression blossoms within Liberation theology. Ancient Jewish perspectives, and yes Jesus was a Jew, draws Western Christianity kicking and screaming into the forgotten Jewish mindset of the blood, sweat, and heavy tears wrought by enslaved captivity. Way back then, daily life was lined with rotting corpses pegged and tied to crosses on many Roman roads dominating this culture of oppression and racism.
I have replayed the words gracefully spoken by Chris over and over in my prayers and recognized that beautiful portion of Liberation theology within my own reality and my personal intimacy with Jesus the rebuilds the castle in my heart starting with a rejected cornerstone. Dare we consider that all lines measurements and lines founding this church are trued from this one stone? Boldly, I say “Yes!” I bless the words and work of Chris and will continue to pray towards a reparation for the sins of our own nation.
I cannot help but see that Liberation theology is a very human hope firmly adopted by the promise revealed at Mt. Sinai. It was a necessary theology of hope of healing the sickness of hate, greed, and power nurturing racism both then and now. My rub with Chris came quickly in the program when he rightfully said, “You don’t have a right to criticize the how he protests nor why (paraphrasing here). Furthermore Chris’ quote preceding this the program stated:
“If your not showing up where the oppressed exists and are moving, then I’m not interested in your gospel; I’m not interested in your Jesus.”
Ouch.
Seriously America, we have wannabe Nazis parading and spewing their hateful rhetoric. When did vomiting this vile ideology that our Nation (was way too slow) to war against now require police protection at tax-payers expense for a sick minority’s freedom of speech? Chris was there protesting. Thank you my friend. Chris also said it felt good to release his anger and yelling at the wave of right hands raised in salutes to “Heil Hitler!”
This is certainly not my America…
My rub with Chris? Protesting is a double edge sword glimmering with both edges of the sacred and profane. My very needed portion of my conversation with Chris is discuss the dark seduction of protesting even he unknowingly admitted to when it felt good to release whatever brought some catharsis. So what would Jesus do Chris? ( I apologize for what may seem as a very trite question I assure you it is not.) The sacred consciousness that inspires Chris to protest is surely from above since silence conspires with acceptance of oppression. Yet, I have serious concerns for limiting one’s Christianity to Liberation theology. Jesus is still doing something new. The work of this living Christ of God is still perfecting holiness within. No? Does the end justify the means? Does trading violence with violence beget peace? “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12) Did not our Jesus conquer this darkness by solely trusting His Father by offering perfect love as a perfect sacrifice?
So… Do I know a different gospel or a different Jesus?
I find no greater peace than walking my dogs before the dawn and praying the Rosary. Today, as I entered into the imagery of Jesus carrying his cross, I was further silenced in the symbolism of the cross and its shape of a “t“. As I surrendered to the last mystery of his crucifixion, a horror and beauty only G-d could hold, I was given this question:
Was Jesus nailed to :
* theology
or
* the poor,
* they who mourn,
* the meek,
* they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
* the merciful,
* the pure of heart,
* the peacemakers,
* they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness?
Shouldn’t each plight of the latter be considered?
Who are these people? …before you answer that consider the following quote:
“I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.”
– Dorothy Day
When the bee stings,
a child’s tear erupts
A mother kisses away the pain
When the son disrespects;
his father disciplines,
Trust flowers anew,
Forgiveness blooms in request.
When Torah is celebrated;
His commands galvanize the beating heart
His Laws of Love infuses every jot and title,
Yeshiva lifts eyes to Sinai,
Love of יְהֹוָה and neighbor becomes a Temple.
When Profound Love finds favor;
A handmaid sings,
The Song of Hannah echoes once again,
A virgin is overshadowed,
Magnified is the soul of Theotokos.
When a Son is given;
A Way is infleshed,
A Truth awakens dim eyes,
A Life is revealed,
Magi honor a newborn King,
Psalm 19 finds its voice.
When the Olive is pressed;
Bled is Another’s will,
Stripes give healing,
A thorny crown pricks a King,
Via Doloroso is carved by His cross,
When the Son of God is crushed,
Blood and water baptize the earth,
The choir moans in silent expectation,
Obedience gives up His Ghost.
The Father’s tear anoints a gate through Heaven.
When faith, hope, and charity are sowed,
Crosses are hoisted and yoked to the downtrodden,
A disciple craves love of God and neighbor
The poor are fed,
The naked clothed,
The slave is set free,
The forgotten are welcomed,
Warmth and hope visit the sick and imprisoned,
The church gathers in song and praise.
Happy are the many
When unity is challenged, it offers strength
When friendship is betrayed, forgiveness is availed
When hope is pressured, patience abounds,
When faith is oppressed, fear evaporates,
When charity becomes human, creation finally evolves.
I wonder when the influence of art, culture, and religious politics convinced the mainstream that peering at a crucifixion was a message of love. Bear with me… on a subtle point that continues to steal from the curiously faithful.
Yes. I know. God is Love and sent His begotten from the depths of that love.
Yet, crucifixion, and the events leading up to this politically motivated homicide (that unknowingly fulfilled scripture) also had a purpose of taking the sinof humanity and putting it on display.
Our sin is and will always be violence. Remember…”Forgive them Father for they no not what they’re doing.”
When we categorize sin we also dilute our greater need for the death of Christ. Furthermore, when some dwell on how ‘lovely’ is ‘Our’ Jesus mounted within a sanitized setting above an altar or others look upon cross without His corpse, we continue to forget humanity’s greatest fault for the Trinity’s greatest virtue. When we lose ourselves in Divine Love we begin to only see ourselves as important. Hence the popularity of a ‘personal relationship with G-d’ and “You Matter” yard signs that perpetually feeds an obese ego. Jesus, I believe, became man so we could focus on human relationships not worship some faraway G-d no one quite understood. He also confronted our need for power with a challenge to love instead. Violence corrodes everything it touches. Its insidious blight leaves many lonely, poor, persecuted, or dead. Hopefully now when we stare long enough at the image of the crucifixion we may come to the understanding that we are saved as a community not some pious winner of Heaven’s golden ticket – because we are so loved.
It is not about you or me but respecting the dignified Image breathed within all of us. How can we ever expect to be known by our Judge when we never loved Him within another. No– you really don’t matter more than we matter.
Motivated by the indelible image atop of Calvary, the faith instilled into a disciple becomes fearless by example and courageous words of peace when faced by humanity’s knee-jerk aggression, even unto death.
If we dared to dip more of our big toe into the cool, clear waters of G-d’s love we may never experience the depth of transformation our Savior can offer. Through out my neighborhood, I’m encouraged yet pensive by seeing the little “You Matter” signs advertising a local big, box church. Certainly the love of G-d for every Image-bearer is inexhaustible. This type of keen marketing has led to building multiple sites with many satisfied attendees. Yet bad theology is no different from self-serving pornography objectifying the mission of Christ without chancing the intimacy of experiencing His relationship with the marginalized. The blood sacrifice hyped from the popular mainstream pulpits or stages, has left nothing for the hearer to do but be joyful and grateful. Joy and gratitude are wonderful psychological building blocks for a healthy mind. Both add a sense of patience and positivity to a friendly perspective. Was obtaining a state of joy and gratitude the reason for sending a Savior?
Is there more than “You Matter”?
What does it mean to be a disciple? What does G-d really envision for our lives? What really is the “purpose driven” life? Is scripture more than an inspirational tool that ingratiates a selfish sense of self-piety wrapped in the white-washed sheets of self worth and gratitude? …but “You Matter”?
Instead of the false cloaks of “spiritual awareness” and vanity of “gifts”, what if we wrapped ourselves in what we profess as sin? What if we became that sin you find worthy for the heat of Hell and pleaded for forgiveness? Seriously…”You Matter”!
Good theology finds true freedom to fearlessly protest the oppression of any Image-bearer of G-d. Pick your favorite hatred or prejudice, button-up, and become one with those you despise. Plead for their forgiveness even when they do not understand. Becoming at-one with atonement theory allows the curious disciple to plumb the depth of the final plea from a crucified Messiah; “Father forgive them for they know not what they do!”
If your religion has an obsession with purity codes or vices that justify a Hell for the sinners they envy… run.
If only joy and gratitude from hearing such a “wonderful message” fill your Sundays…run.
If your hear a message that ‘cuts to the heart’… stay.
Unless we are moved to spew more than a “good word“, we will only cool the big toe of our curiosity. We must realize John 3:16 builds the mind and soul towards the new freedom without fear – even that of persecution or death. Unless we become wrapped in our neighbor’s oppression we will cheat ourselves of ever knowing a G-d willing to bleed for us! Otherwise the cross is just a murderous, Roman tool of fear void of any meaning of our Father’s scandalous love for the Image we bear.
Its not about you. Fearlessness Matters.
“I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
John 16:33 (NRSV)
“Did Jesus make living Torah easier?” was asked by my pastor at a bible study last night. **Warning: If you are comfortable with the status quo of Christian theology then please exit out.**
Still here? Wooohooo! This question will lead you on an insatiable quest, reuniting the very living scope of the Old and New Covenant. The moment will come when you realize the beauty of Jesus and a hijacked perspective morphing further and further from the totality of Jewish teaching, culture and practice fulfilled by this God-man called Jesus. Ask yourself how the promise of freedom, hope, rest, and privilege could be truly understood and taught by those already at the top of the food chain? Could someone write a book about birth without ever going through pregnancy, labor, and delivery? It may be technically correct but disingenuous. Everyday is a new as I the present business of Christianity is peeled away, layer by layer, revealing new and more resplendent facets shimmering atop Mt. Sinai to even death upon a cross. The writings of St. Paul have brighter meanings and not the ramblings of a zealous Jew refusing to use punctuation. The Old Testament that once thought foreshadowed can now be seen through the lens of Sinai as a repetitive rubric that Jesus embraced perfectly.
Anywho, the question at hand: Did Jesus ever at He could make living the this life bound by Torah any easier? As always, my answer awaits hidden in my morning Rosary. Yep…I just said that. You see the rosary is a discipline of seeing significant events of a son of Mary and Son of God through the unmatched intimacy of the eyes of a mother (a second class citizen).
My answer is “yes”. Ultimately by what He said in John 14:26(NIV): “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” It is in the understanding that this Advocate is also described as a Comforter. I also enjoy pondering the ‘jealousy’ component of this hidden, Omniscient One.
Current Christianity prefers slippery and blurred concepts exposing a pitiful disconnect between salvation and the Kingdom at hand. Salvation finds a post life existence further detached from Paul’s plea to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling“(Phil 2:12:NIV). A life in Torah espousing a life and prayer and service leading to (a present) salvation awakens the Christian slumber to a Kingdom in our midst and our accountability to love God and our neighbor. Otherwise, to ignore the Comforter is to grieve God.
Christopher Clody 