Thank you for this provocative and paradigm shifting piece. I have been thinking about it for a month. I referred to it in my own latest Lent Let it Grow series post.
The series has, somewhat unexpectedly, explored the gospel narrative through the surrounding biological and geophysical landscapes or through minoritized voices. I am not a Biblical scholar, although my dad was, but I always greatly enjoyed the religious courses I took at Westmont College in my undergrad days. It's been a rewarding exploration.
It is SO hard to follow the teachings of Jesus because I want to hate his fucking guts. Without God’s help, my prayers for Trump wouldn’t exactly reflect any positivity or best wishes.
Left a comment on the Sunday Musings, and here I go here too....around the phrase I apparently always missed:
"Give to everyone who begs from you..."
It seems to me that Jesus is giving us a clue here who he's talking about, and suggesting (in our language) an "uneven power dynamic."
Jesus is speaking about the desperate, the vulnerable...somebody who would be in a power position to come begging. Not an "equal" or a "superior" to use hierarchical language....
Jesus, therefore, isn't addressing abusive spouses, oligarchs, or powerful politicians here...folks who might have (or try to have) power over us. This isn't about excusing them at all. Which is what them makes it consistent with his other messages on not harming the little ones and the vulnerable.
Again: I don't know how I missed that line before...but it felt like a key to the whole thing to me.
Your sermon, Diana, was very new and insightful to this Christian of almost 60 years. I appreciate finally understanding what Jesus meant when he said to love your enemies. Now I just need part 2. I have been the quiet Christian, praying and hoping for our government to do good to the least of these (I volunteer and donate in my own community and to others in 3rd world countries). Now I am angry when I keep hearing that the majority of evangelical Christian’s support trump. Now I want to do more than call and email Congress. Help!
Thank you so much for your historical knowledge of Roman times and the clear interpretation of this passage. Can't wait to share this knowledge with some of my friends who interpret Bible passages literally and not historically! Where has this explanation been all of my life by my Catholic priests? OR, does that question have an obvious answer?!? LOL
What a fabulous sermon! I completed EFM several years ago and really enjoy having a "teaching sermon"! You do it so well. Hoping to hear you preach again at Calvary. Jane Morris
I loved your sermon today, Diana. I love doing all this advanced training under a true scholar of the life and Times of Jesus. I am Unitarian Universalist. Recently, I recommended to you the book Soul Boom by Rainn Wilson. I did a sermon last week focused on soul boom. The beginning songs and poetry reflect the sermon which lasted only about 15 minutes at the end. The true message, however, comes in the songs and poem at the beginning. I want to share this with you and your audience. It is on YouTube. Following is the link. https://www.youtube.com/live/qrkw0VjCUnc?si=KWhXBVv1jCzvEzLZ
We discussed this topic Sunday also. I keep wondering, What would this look like today? Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's message to "have mercy" to Trump at the National Cathedral came to mind as did the marchers during the Civil Rights movement who marched, sang hymns, and prayed before their oppressors. I bought hundreds of postcards and am praying for guidance as I write my legislators. I plan to include (after pointing out injustices) that I pray their hearts will be open and their courage strengthened to do what is right. What are other ways we can love our enemies while fighting for justice?
Thank you for this provocative and paradigm shifting piece. I have been thinking about it for a month. I referred to it in my own latest Lent Let it Grow series post.
https://open.substack.com/pub/hannahharder/p/gethsemane-part-2-blood-tears-and?r=3iuwiv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
The series has, somewhat unexpectedly, explored the gospel narrative through the surrounding biological and geophysical landscapes or through minoritized voices. I am not a Biblical scholar, although my dad was, but I always greatly enjoyed the religious courses I took at Westmont College in my undergrad days. It's been a rewarding exploration.
What great historical insight! I have been enlightened and will now live these WOW’s to a new understanding. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!
It is SO hard to follow the teachings of Jesus because I want to hate his fucking guts. Without God’s help, my prayers for Trump wouldn’t exactly reflect any positivity or best wishes.
God help me!
Thank you. So awesome.
Left a comment on the Sunday Musings, and here I go here too....around the phrase I apparently always missed:
"Give to everyone who begs from you..."
It seems to me that Jesus is giving us a clue here who he's talking about, and suggesting (in our language) an "uneven power dynamic."
Jesus is speaking about the desperate, the vulnerable...somebody who would be in a power position to come begging. Not an "equal" or a "superior" to use hierarchical language....
Jesus, therefore, isn't addressing abusive spouses, oligarchs, or powerful politicians here...folks who might have (or try to have) power over us. This isn't about excusing them at all. Which is what them makes it consistent with his other messages on not harming the little ones and the vulnerable.
Again: I don't know how I missed that line before...but it felt like a key to the whole thing to me.
Your sermon, Diana, was very new and insightful to this Christian of almost 60 years. I appreciate finally understanding what Jesus meant when he said to love your enemies. Now I just need part 2. I have been the quiet Christian, praying and hoping for our government to do good to the least of these (I volunteer and donate in my own community and to others in 3rd world countries). Now I am angry when I keep hearing that the majority of evangelical Christian’s support trump. Now I want to do more than call and email Congress. Help!
Wonderful sermon, thanks. I see you're going to do the W's for Lent. Let me suggest this excellent substack letter on mindful walking in hard times that you might find helpful when you write about "walking" (by my friend nature therapist friend Jeanne here in the Upstate): https://jeannemalmgren.substack.com/p/walk?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc91ae7af-59d6-424a-8780-acf35af31086_4032x3024.jpeg&open=false
Thank you…wonderful sermon.
Thank you for putting this sermon into context of today's world. And still I rise! 💜
Thank you so much for your historical knowledge of Roman times and the clear interpretation of this passage. Can't wait to share this knowledge with some of my friends who interpret Bible passages literally and not historically! Where has this explanation been all of my life by my Catholic priests? OR, does that question have an obvious answer?!? LOL
What a fabulous sermon! I completed EFM several years ago and really enjoy having a "teaching sermon"! You do it so well. Hoping to hear you preach again at Calvary. Jane Morris
you are a powerful speaker madame. you should run for parliament.
I loved your sermon today, Diana. I love doing all this advanced training under a true scholar of the life and Times of Jesus. I am Unitarian Universalist. Recently, I recommended to you the book Soul Boom by Rainn Wilson. I did a sermon last week focused on soul boom. The beginning songs and poetry reflect the sermon which lasted only about 15 minutes at the end. The true message, however, comes in the songs and poem at the beginning. I want to share this with you and your audience. It is on YouTube. Following is the link. https://www.youtube.com/live/qrkw0VjCUnc?si=KWhXBVv1jCzvEzLZ
Thanks, Carol.
Resistance that humanizes the oppressed changes the game on a deep level.
Diana Butler B**ass, you are amazing!
We discussed this topic Sunday also. I keep wondering, What would this look like today? Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's message to "have mercy" to Trump at the National Cathedral came to mind as did the marchers during the Civil Rights movement who marched, sang hymns, and prayed before their oppressors. I bought hundreds of postcards and am praying for guidance as I write my legislators. I plan to include (after pointing out injustices) that I pray their hearts will be open and their courage strengthened to do what is right. What are other ways we can love our enemies while fighting for justice?