Be they religious or philosophical, human systems of thought seek to discern what is good and what is evil. The Gospel of Matthew dynamites this approach by usurping human power structures and dismantling human ethics, replacing both with God’s divine judgment, firmly seated outside our control and beyond our understanding. Richard and Fr. Marc discuss…
Category: Matthew
Do Not Become Like Us
Following the Old Testament’s line, which sets Israel apart to demonstrate that Israel is no better, Matthew’s condemnation of the Scribes and Pharisees consolidates the Bible’s rejection of exceptionalism. Where nations, religions, institutions, social groupings, and even families scramble to proclaim, “become like us,” resoundingly, the biblical writers warn everyone, “do not become like us!”…
Humiliation
While American Christians fight for social relevance in the culture wars, the writers of the New Testament cancel themselves. Enough said. Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 23:5-12. Episode 362 Matthew 23:5-12; Music: Terminal by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4478-terminalLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Do Not Lead by Example
Blinded by extreme solipsism, it is practically impossible for Americans to recognize—let alone obey—correct words spoken on the lips of people we consider wrong or evil. Where God uses the hypocrisy of his followers to enlighten the world, we use the same to destroy it. Like childish teenagers reveling in stupidity and empty rebellion, we…
Whose Son is He?
On this Christmas Eve, it is important to remember that the birth of Jesus is good news for the poor and the oppressed because it heralds the ascendancy of God’s Law over the tyranny of human authorities. Beginning with David and then Caesar, even now, Jesus the Christ tramples underfoot every pretender to his Father’s…
Pecking Order
If any human ability can be said to manifest the power of God, it is our ability to speak. When we speak words, there are only two possibilities: 1. That we are saying something informed and useful, meaning we teach something, or, 2. That our speech is uninformed and unhelpful, and therefore, destructive. For the…
All Earthly Cares
It is genuinely tragic that religion, intended to set our minds on heavenly things, is repeatedly debased by the preoccupation of religious people with worldly things. The biblical story calls us to look past human transience to the things that are eternal—“the things,” Jesus teaches, that pertain “to God.” Meanwhile, the fundamentalists in Matthew are…
Of Course They Say That
If you are happy with the way things are—if you own property, if your business is thriving, if existing social and religious institutions work in your favor, the last thing you want in your town is a prophet. A prophet brings news that God will bring an end to the current situation. A prophet warns…
They Still Don’t Get It
In a parable seemingly written for our present historical moment, this week’s reading from Matthew dynamites any and all claims made by any and all people on social, moral, economic, civic, legal, or cultural dominance. Pharisees and Herodians—the would-be government of Jerusalem—want to take control away from Caesar’s sitting government, itself a religion organized around…
Jesus Doesn’t Need Friends
In the year of our Lord 2020, Matthew’s warning that we are not to judge our neighbor draws a scowl from those who hear it, even as Christians themselves dismiss it. No sooner do we give lip service to this teaching than we scramble to find self-justifying theories that separate us from others. We want…