casual theology

The lectionary readings we hear every Sunday at mass are predetermined and rotate on a three year cycle. I am always amazed at how timely they can be. Last week’s Gospel told the story of Jesus calming the wind and the waves. Jesus told the apostles to get in the boat and go to the other side. On the way a strong storm blew in and tossed their boat. Seasoned fishermen who were well accustomed to sailing that same lake feared for their lives that the boat would sink. All the while Jesus was peacefully asleep. When they woke him he rebuked to storm and it became calm immediately, then he rebuked them for their lack of faith. This week’s Gospel features the story of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with a hemorrhage. Jesus and the apostles are met by Jarius, a leader of the local synagogue. He pleads for Jesus to come to his home and heal his daughter who is deathly ill. On the way a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years reaches through the crowd hoping to touch...

A few random thoughts and reflections about the Supreme Court’s decision on same sex marriage. All people regardless of sexual orientation, regardless of behavior, are created in the image and likeness of God. Jesus Christ took on flesh, suffered, died, and rose from the dead out of love for each and every one of us. He commands his followers to unconditionally love others. As a disciple of Jesus I try to follow this command as best as I can and harbor no ill feelings towards anyone in the LGBT community. Your true identity is rooted in the reality of being made in the image of God. You are NOT what you do. I believe that homosexual behavior is a sin, as is heterosexual behavior outside the context of marriage. I don’t think that gay sex is any worse than any other number of sins such as drunkenness, gluttony, envy, lying, stealing, etc. All sin acts to separate us from God. I think that the significant difference about homosexual sin today is that our culture celebr...