One-sided story 2-28-25

 Deut 9:6-14: Moses reminds the people of how they worshiped the golden calf and how God wanted to destroy them. But he doesn't explain that he was gone on the mountain for 40 days and the people had no idea when he was coming back. I think maybe they never really trusted Moses. He was an outsider, kind of aloof and he never really mixed with the average person. So it didn't take much to dump him.

Acts 10:1-8: The start of the story of Peter and Cornelius, a Roman centurion and the figuring out of eating kosher or non- kosher food.

Blame the outsider 2-27-25

 Deut 9:1-5: Israelites are getting ready to cross the Jordan, and God says they will be victorious against the people there. But not because of their righteousness but because of the wickedness of the Canaanites. Don't know why this was written back then, but it's like what's going on in the world today. Blame everyone else for the problems of the world except yourself. We're all in this together.

Psalm 99: A Psalm of praise to God. God established equity, justice and righteousness in Israel. He was a forgiving God, but an avenger of their wrongdoings. 

Acts 3:11-16: Peter and John have just healed a crippled man. Peter says, we didn't do it, but faith in the power of God through Jesus. The same Jesus you people rejected before Pilate even though he was going to release him. Here's another case like the above Deuteronomy passage of blaming the wrong party. Pilate had sole responsibility for crucifying people. This seems to be a case of revisionist history to mollify the Romans, because at the time this was written, it was the time of the Jewish rebellion.

Cut out the middle man 2-26-25

Leviticus 5:1-13: Gives various remedies for sin that you I'll need to take to the priest for a burnt offering. But when the offering is done, the priest keeps the rest for his food, be it sheep, doves, pigeons or flour. Every culture has its way of doing things but it seems like you should keep the food, repent of your wrongs and let the priests get a regular job. You can share food with the poor, just cut out the middle man. But maybe there weren't enough jobs to go around for the priests.

Luke 17:1-4: Jesus says don't lead anyone to doing wrong. And if you are wronged, every time someone repents, forgive them. It never really mentions it in the Bible, but if you are being physically, sexually or mentally abused, get out of that situation.

Share and be fair 2-25-25

 1 Cor 1:17-22, 27-33: People are getting raucous during communion. They are turning it into a potluck. Some people bring lots of food and gorge themselves and some can't bring any and they aren't shared with. Paul says if you're hungry eat at home. But communion should be just sharing the bread and wine and remembering Jesus.

1 Sam 24:1-22: David has a chance to kill Saul but doesn't. After Saul goes a distance away, David calls out and says, I could have killed you. Let God decide who will be king, but I will not hurt you. Saul says, you're a better man than I. I see you will be king. Just let my descendants' line survive. David says he will.

I have nothing to add today. The passages seem pretty clear cut.

2-24-25 Gen 33, Ps 38, 1 Cor 11

 Genesis 33:1-17 Jacob finally got away from father-in-law Laban after Laban made him work 14 years for his two daughters to be Jacob's wives. Which Jacob deserved for screwing his brother Esau out of his birthright and blessing. Now Jacob is headed home and is afraid Esau will still be mad. But it turns out that Esau is glad to see him. Hopefully Jacob learned his lesson. But so far in Genesis, the mean and deceitful ones: Cain, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, come out on top.

Psalm 38: The heading says this is a Psalm of David. David says I've really screwed up and I've paid the consequences. But his enemies are out to get him, so he asks God to help him out. And as with most of the big shots in the Bible, the biggest offenders of decency,  are the ones forgiven the most. The big thing I get out of this personally, is that I shouldn't wish the rich and famous get their just rewards. Like Jesus says later in the Bible, look at the log in my own eye, before I look at the speck in someone else's eye.

1st Corinthians 11:2-16: Paul is ranting that women should wear head coverings in church. Well, how does he even see this? Shouldn't he be kneeling on the floor with his head touching the floor, praying about his own faults? I suppose God cuts him a little slack, because he wrote that great love chapter, 1 Cor 13. And hopefully when Paul leaves and his letters read, the local people just do what they think best locally.

2-23-25 1 Cor 15, Luke 6

 1st Cor 15: 35-38, 42-50: People were wondering what their bodies would be like for eternity. Paul says you die a physical body, you're raised a spiritual body. He doesn't really describe it. But in gospel accounts, after Jesus's resurrection, you could still see the nail holes and he ate fish and bread. This subject has been debated a long time and will continue to be. I tend to think when you're dead you're dead. Although, maybe you can have some kind of existence in the collective memory of the cosmos. What about some homeless, who no one remembers? Maybe the ground they walk on and the plants they brush against, remember.

Luke 6:26-38 Jesus said love your enemies. Anyone can love and care for those they like, but it takes real energy to help those who have caused you trouble before. Also, don't judge or condemn, but forgive and give. For God is kind to the wicked and ungrateful. In other places, it says, God sends rain on the just and unjust. The measure you give is the measure you get back. I don't know that quid pro quo is the way to look at it. But it seems like if you're nice, when you need it, you'll get some niceness, even if all your material needs are not met.

2-22-25 Luke 12

 Luke 12:57-59: it says if you are going to court, try to settle with the other party before going before the judge. This presupposes that there is some truth on both sides and a deal can be reached. But if you are being unfairly sued and you think the judge is honest, maybe go before the judge. But here's a case where Jesus didn't practice his own advice. He was accused by the Jewish authorities of causing a ruckus in Judea and Galilee. Instead of trying to explain himself and work something out, he went before the corrupt Pilate. They say practice what you preach, but in this case it didn't happen.

2-21-25 1 John 2

The Psalm is the same as yesterday and in Genesis that egotist Joseph is still messing with his brothers. Some might say his brothers sold him into slavery, but he got in that mess, because he always thought he was better than them and was ratting them out to his father.

1st John 2: 12-17: The writer is ranting on about the evil one and worldly things. Seems like in Genesis the world was good, but now it stinks. And the writer talks about those doing the will of God living forever. Of course, he will tell us what the will of God is. Beware those who know the will of God, because more often than not, they substitute their will for God's.

2-20-25 Gen 43, Ps 37, Rom 8

 Gen 43:16-34: Joseph sold by his brothers into Egypt, where he becomes prime minister. Brothers come later to buy food during a famine but don't bring younger brother Benjamin. Joseph recognizes them but then goes through all kinds of machinations to get Benjamin and his father down there. It all sounds kind of hokey to me. If he was so smart, why didn't he escape life as a slave and go back home?

Ps 37:1-11, 39-40 Don't worry about the wicked, they will soon fade away. Trust in God, he is your refuge. Refrain from anger and forsake wrath. The meek shall inherit the land. That last line is quoted by Jesus in the Beatitudes.

Rom 8:1-11: Paul says walk in the spirit not in the flesh. Some people see this as forsaking all worldly things and live away from the world. But I think it means don't just put your nose to the grindstone, makes tons of money, and build a big house and wall to store it all away. But rise up and look around you, check out your community and check out where you can invest for everyone's well-being.

2-19-25 Jer 22:11-17, Luke 11:37-52

 Jer 22:11-17: Comparing King Josiah and his son Shallum. Josiah lived in righteousness and judged the cause of the poor and needy. Shallum didn't pay his neighbors building his house and shed innocent blood and practiced oppression and violence. It's hard to keep a family business going. People don't have the vision of their ancestors. They build walls to try to protect their resources instead of investing in the future.

Luke 11:37-52: Pharisees upset that Jesus didn't wash his hands before eating. But he says it's the inside, your heart, that needs cleaning. Pharisees tithe to the penny but don't practice justice and the love of God. Lawyers burden people with loads they can't bear. Their ancestors killed the prophets and now build lavish tombs. I think he's saying listen to common sense. Invest in the community. Don't worry about the fancy stuff, trying to make yourself look good.

RCL Bible commentary 2-18-25

 Ezra 1:1-11; 2: King Cyrus of Persia lets the Jews go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Chapter 2 tells the number of people going back, 42,000+. This doesn't hold much interest for me. I'm not much on rebuilding things. When Notre Dame burnt down in Paris a few years ago, I figured they should just build affordable housing. What do I know? But I'm thinking about the poor people that were left behind in Judah to take care of the land (2nd Kings 25:12). Their Persian overlords have probably left them alone to plant and harvest. Now all the uppity-ups are coming back to set up the temple and ritual ceremonies and probably collect a temple tax. Nothing gets better for them.

2nd Corinthians 1:12-19: Paul explains why he hasn't come to visit the church in Corinth again. It's because he doesn't want to yell at them for their slacking faith and following false apostles. Some are probably properly chastened, but some probably feel relief. Don't need that old windbag back here. Who is he to tell us what to believe? He has such an ego and is always going on about his sufferings.

Daily posts

 I don't think anyone reads this blog, but if they did they would notice that I go months between posts. I figure I need to post everyday, then maybe people would tune in more. 

I figure I can post commentary on the daily Revised Common Lectionary. This is a series of Bible readings put together by the mainstream churches to get through the Bible in three years.

Today's readings are Psalm 120; 2nd Kings 24:18-25:21; 1st Corinthians 15: 20-34

Ps 120: The writer asks God to deliver. The writer lives among warmongers, with lying lips and deceitful tongues. The writer claims to be for peace. But in verse 3-4, " what shall be given you, you deceitful tongue? A warriors sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree." Well, if you want peace stay consistent, don't ask for attacks on other people.

2 Kings 24:18-25:21: King Zedekiah ruled over Judah. He was a bad king and also his worst mistake was getting King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon riled up. So Nebu laid siege to Jerusalem. When the famine got real bad,  Zede and his henchmen snuck out of the city but were captured by Nebu. Zede's family were killed in front of him, then his eyes were poked out and Zede and all the big shots in Jerusalem were taken into exile in Babylon. But in verse 25:12, "Nebu's captain left some of the poorest people of the land to be vinedresser and tillers of the soil." So what I get out of this, is that it's the leaders and their hangers-on who want war. Your average citizen of the attackers or attackees, bear the brunt of the pain and starvation, then when it's over they pick up the pieces. It's the old saying," The day after Rome fell, people went work.

1 Cor 15: 20-34: Paul is writing about some people that are questioning if Jesus rose from the dead and whether anyone will rise from the dead. Paul says, well sure it happened. Because otherwise we may as well all go home and eat, drink and be merry, which I guess is what people were doing and why he is so upset.

The way I look at the resurrection is that we should eat, drink and be merry, but we should invite everyone to the party. Try to do something useful with your talents in life, share what you can and when the time comes, pass the baton to the next generation and fade quietly into the ether.

Trumpmania

 People get all excited about Trump. But we know he's all about making money and stiffing people when he can. But no matter how hard he tries, some of the things his administration does make sense.

Like getting rid of the Department of Education. People say," but we need money for special needs kids and poor districts." But why does the state and feds have this money to begin with? All federal and state money comes with strings attached and you have to hire compliance people to deal with the paperwork. Just lower taxes by the amount it takes to run federal and state depts of education and let the local community take care of it.

What about poor, small communities? Well, they need to figure something out together. You say you don't trust your neighbors with a ten foot pole. Well, you can't trust the teachers paid with state and federal money. Every other day in Oregon, some teacher is hauled into court on abuse charges. So get to know your neighbors. It's cheaper and better in the long run.

The other day, I heard that the administration wanted to just teach reading, writing and arithmetic in school. Everyone was up in arms about needing a broad education. Well, people can broaden their own education at the library. What kids need is to get outside more. There should be three one and a half hour classes with a stretch break halfway thru for reading, writing and arithmetic. Between first two classes have a half-hour recess. Then after the second class have an hour lunch/recess. Then after third class, kids can go out and play for an hour or stay for music, art, library, etc. 8am-3pm and then send them home.

Another thing is federal forests. In Oregon, the feds own 70% of the land. Why? Let the counties run the forests so they can get tax money from logging to pay for schools and county services.

What I can do

 It's important these days for people to have good self-esteem. People get so beaten down by the vagaries of life. But, in reality, we have one vote out of 330 million, out of 8 billion people on a small planet on the far reaches of the galaxy, in an infinite universe. People think they can effect change by marching in protests, forming organizations, donating to food banks, etc., but in the end, one person, one vote.

Just do what you can in your community. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Use natural resources wisely. Walk and take public transport when you can.