Series C, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Series C, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke10:41b-42. Mary’s choice of “the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” is choosing the eternal in time. The repetition of the existential choice of the immortal will always be conflicted because, as body, we default to Martha’s choice which sees the material as helpful, needful, and essential. This defaulting to the body means we are embarked on a life of repentance for repeatedly missing the one thing needful.

Series C, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

But [the lawyer], desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Luke 10:29. The lawyer represents all the self-acclaimed critical thinkers whose criticism is directed outward rather than the self-criticism of repentance that is made possible by God’s promise of forgiveness. Forgiveness amps up the self-criticism of repentance rather than making it unnecessary.

Series C, Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

“Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20. The joy of salvation is not outside subjugation but that the Lamb of God has effectively “taken away” the sin of the single individual whose name is “written in heaven.”

Series C, Third Sunday after Pentecost

Foxes and birds naturally have natural habitats. Jesus had no home because any earthly place would be too inadequate and impermanent to be called “home” for beings on the path of life leading to delights that are forever.

Series C, Second Sunday after Pentecost

We want a salvation that tweaks, not one that transforms. Conversion begins with restoration of the self, which sin always intends to destroy.