Month: April 2020

Empty Tomb and Lock-down 2000 Years Ago: “While it was Still Dark.”

Empty Tomb and Lock-down 2000 Years Ago: “While it was Still Dark.”

Posted by | Apr 13, 2020 | , , |

Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb … Then, the same day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you” – John 20:1, 19  Resurrection Sunday follows Good Friday’s crucifixion and how on Holy Saturday Jesus descended into hell, even the hell of our pains, disappointment, pandemic, fear, worry, sickness...

Read More
GOOD FRIDAY: BEYOND FUNERAL LITURGY

GOOD FRIDAY: BEYOND FUNERAL LITURGY

Posted by | Apr 10, 2020 | , , , |

Following the betrayal, arrest, desertion, false trial, denial, condemnation, beatings, and mockery of Jesus, Pilate bowed to the pressure of the temple leadership and the crowds, and  Jesus was nailed to the cross. Today we acknowledge the power of the cross in our lives with a consideration how the apostles might have gathered that night 2000 years ago together in fear and prayer reflecting on all that happened. This year’s Good Friday has come in the middle of the global coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic. From the global helplessness and lock-down, how do we reflect on the deadly effects of the...

Read More
WEDNESDAY OF THE HOLY WEEK: Ministry, not a guarantee for spiritual life or health: Judas’s example.

WEDNESDAY OF THE HOLY WEEK: Ministry, not a guarantee for spiritual life or health: Judas’s example.

Posted by | Apr 8, 2020 | , , |

14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over – Matt. 26:14-16 Colin S Smith in one of his books, ‘Heaven, So Near – So Far: The Story of Iscariot,’ retells the gospel story from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. Judas, the son of Simon was bribed to betray Jesus (Jn 6:71). Judas’s life and ministry...

Read More
Overturning the Tables and Seats of Pandemic Vendor(s).

Overturning the Tables and Seats of Pandemic Vendor(s).

Posted by | Apr 6, 2020 | , |

In the evening of Palm Sunday, Jesus went to the Temple and found vendors who have set up their wares in the Temple court. Jesus is angry. Unlike an African Proverbs that says, “No matter how hot your anger may be it cannot cook,” Jesus anger, not only cleansed the Temples, Jesus’ anger restored the Temple. Jesus got angry because the Temple was not being used for prayer as it was intended but for profit by those who are taking advantage of the poor. Beyond the debate in the churches and among theologians across the world about the overturning...

Read More
HOSANNA, a Saviour in Pandemic: A Divine or Political Impulse?

HOSANNA, a Saviour in Pandemic: A Divine or Political Impulse?

Posted by | Apr 5, 2020 | , |

The word “Hosanna”, a Syriac word means “save now,” or “save,” a form of acclamation used among the Jews in the celebration of their great festivals. “Hosanna,” the cry of the crowds 2000 years ago was the shout of the throngs as Jesus entered Jerusalem for His last week of public ministry. This movement, the noise and all the action was more than a parade or prophetic but a protest. In the context of Christian history, Passover, when Jews from all over gathered to share in the feast day of liberation was a big deal in Jerusalem. It is...

Read More