Clearly, assuming Jesus told this parable or it isn't completely pulled out of context, God is not the owner. And, in any case, something else is going on. I read Luke with its penchant for smoothing things over in a world which is going to be around for a while. I think Jesus was against the zealot movement and warned it was doomed to disaster.
I saw the musings last evening last evening and decided to purposely wait until after a nights rest. Thank you to you and all who wrote "comments" before I did. I noticed a few of us have at least some farming roots like the trees and plants we need rest in cycles to be fruitful,. Deeply Grateful for y ou and this community this morning.
Excellent persuasive points made and solid representative (rather than selective) use of scriptural sourcing and historical context on the Political Economy of the Roman Empire circa Pilate and then Tiberius's recall of Pilate.
One note however on a curious omission of your otherwise unassailable and universal statement on the nature and dynamics of Empire: "That is, after all, what empire does — theft, enslavement, murder, defilement. These two events reveal the very nature of imperial violence." Any historically attuned reader must add to your list of Empire's Traits and modus operandi a relatively at least historically recent addendum to our own Washington Empire's traits and M.O.: TERROR.
Crucifixion was more tactical than sadistic and before the long-haired Galilean evolutionary reformer and activist was nailed up on a cross with common thieves so were some Judean rabbis and sages put to seemingly sadistic exhibitionist use as an instrument of TERROR to TERRORIZE the budding grassroots uprisings and leaders into silence and even public support of the invading EMPIRE.
The Kingdom of God is like a section of forest. A wicked ruler seized the land, deciding to clear cut the forest to immediately extract as much profit as he could. But collaboration of tree-huggers and Indigenous people refused to let the land be clear cut. Instead, they protected the trees as their ancient wisdom taught, knowing that a healthy, growing forest would enrich the land for all species.
Ginger Shaw Many thanks for this reflection on trees or tomb. I didn't know about Oriah - the waiting 3 years for a tree to bear fruit, and in the 4th year the fruit is for celebration, and in year 5 everyone can eat it. I'm wondering about the fruit which I buy at the grocery store, much of it being grown elsewhere and the oil and gas needed to get it to North Vancouver. Maybe next year I will can some fruit for the winter.
Just as I have begun losing patience with the time it is taking for sanctions to have its effect on Russia, you have clarified the meaning of this parable for me and restored some hope in our nonviolent response to the injustices happening in Ukraine. The West has been giving Russia the opportunity to repent and turn from its evil ways. However, even God has Her limits, does she not?
My grandmother was a small peasant woman from the North of Italy. Ages ago, we lived with my parents on a dairy in Central California. I remember helping Nona in the gardens during hot California summers. She would have a pile of manure that would have aged for a year. Every spring we dug the aged manure into the soil of her garden from which many wonderful vegetables and flowers grew. Patience and manure indeed.
And what do we do with Ukraine? Jesus didn't have a military. Separate from morality, there was no choice except nonviolence. Do we stand by the rape of Ukraine--and every other country Putin invade? Ukraine is the second largest producer of grain in the world. Do we stand by as Russian troops kill farmers (yes, along with women and children, they're killing farmers) whose grain would have fed countless numbers in Turkey, Lebanon, Yemen and other countries, whose citizens may now face starvation? These are not rhetorical questions. I really want to know. Thank you for always writing with such intelligence and heart and not dodging the hard questions. Your newsletter and your books are gifts to the world.
Clearly, assuming Jesus told this parable or it isn't completely pulled out of context, God is not the owner. And, in any case, something else is going on. I read Luke with its penchant for smoothing things over in a world which is going to be around for a while. I think Jesus was against the zealot movement and warned it was doomed to disaster.
Fantastic insight! Thank you
Wonderful message thank you so much I needed it.
Great message.
I saw the musings last evening last evening and decided to purposely wait until after a nights rest. Thank you to you and all who wrote "comments" before I did. I noticed a few of us have at least some farming roots like the trees and plants we need rest in cycles to be fruitful,. Deeply Grateful for y ou and this community this morning.
Remarkable! Thanks
Excellent persuasive points made and solid representative (rather than selective) use of scriptural sourcing and historical context on the Political Economy of the Roman Empire circa Pilate and then Tiberius's recall of Pilate.
One note however on a curious omission of your otherwise unassailable and universal statement on the nature and dynamics of Empire: "That is, after all, what empire does — theft, enslavement, murder, defilement. These two events reveal the very nature of imperial violence." Any historically attuned reader must add to your list of Empire's Traits and modus operandi a relatively at least historically recent addendum to our own Washington Empire's traits and M.O.: TERROR.
Crucifixion was more tactical than sadistic and before the long-haired Galilean evolutionary reformer and activist was nailed up on a cross with common thieves so were some Judean rabbis and sages put to seemingly sadistic exhibitionist use as an instrument of TERROR to TERRORIZE the budding grassroots uprisings and leaders into silence and even public support of the invading EMPIRE.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbi_Akiva
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Here's my version of the parable.
The Kingdom of God is like a section of forest. A wicked ruler seized the land, deciding to clear cut the forest to immediately extract as much profit as he could. But collaboration of tree-huggers and Indigenous people refused to let the land be clear cut. Instead, they protected the trees as their ancient wisdom taught, knowing that a healthy, growing forest would enrich the land for all species.
It's a response to news stories like this one: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/climate/amazon-rainforest-climate-change-deforestation.html
Ginger Shaw Many thanks for this reflection on trees or tomb. I didn't know about Oriah - the waiting 3 years for a tree to bear fruit, and in the 4th year the fruit is for celebration, and in year 5 everyone can eat it. I'm wondering about the fruit which I buy at the grocery store, much of it being grown elsewhere and the oil and gas needed to get it to North Vancouver. Maybe next year I will can some fruit for the winter.
Just as I have begun losing patience with the time it is taking for sanctions to have its effect on Russia, you have clarified the meaning of this parable for me and restored some hope in our nonviolent response to the injustices happening in Ukraine. The West has been giving Russia the opportunity to repent and turn from its evil ways. However, even God has Her limits, does she not?
My grandmother was a small peasant woman from the North of Italy. Ages ago, we lived with my parents on a dairy in Central California. I remember helping Nona in the gardens during hot California summers. She would have a pile of manure that would have aged for a year. Every spring we dug the aged manure into the soil of her garden from which many wonderful vegetables and flowers grew. Patience and manure indeed.
So good, love this.
And what do we do with Ukraine? Jesus didn't have a military. Separate from morality, there was no choice except nonviolence. Do we stand by the rape of Ukraine--and every other country Putin invade? Ukraine is the second largest producer of grain in the world. Do we stand by as Russian troops kill farmers (yes, along with women and children, they're killing farmers) whose grain would have fed countless numbers in Turkey, Lebanon, Yemen and other countries, whose citizens may now face starvation? These are not rhetorical questions. I really want to know. Thank you for always writing with such intelligence and heart and not dodging the hard questions. Your newsletter and your books are gifts to the world.
I appreciate the mixture of Biblical passages and understandable analysis.
thank you. clarity as usual.
Reading your words stirs within my heart the consistent need for patient perseverance regardless of the circumstances.