Given the support for the Iraq war among many Christians and following a suggestion by Kevin Phillips in his book, American Theocracy, I have written the following satire. It is sung, hummed or read to the tune of Onward Christian Soldiers with all due apologies to the composer of the original hymn.

Onward, Oil Producers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Exxon going on before.
Royal Blackwat’r leads against the foe;
forward into battle see Dyncorp banners go!
Refrain:
Onward, Oil Producers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Exxon going on before. Continue reading →

The Word was the light.
The light has come into the world.
Light amid darkness.
Life among death.
The flame has flickered out
As wars have raged and
Genocide has run rampant.
Murder and violence—
The “legal” murder called war.
Abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment—
All life issues. Continue reading →

A far away stable cave holds
What the universe cannot contain—
Jesus, the Messiah,
The Prince of Peace
Sent forth by the God of Peace.
Peace to all.
Let there be peace on earth! Continue reading →

NO_Palestine

When the two blind men approached Jesus, the nonviolent Jesus, who shows us the face of the god of Peace, asked, “Do you believe that I can do this?”
Do we believe that Jesus can do this? Do we believe that the nonviolent Jesus can come through on his promise of peace and justice? Do we believe that he will make all things new? Do we believe that he will wipe away every tear? Continue reading →

Mountain
The Ignatian method of meditation, as I understand it, asks us to place ourselves in the scriptural scene. Let us relax, sit gently, breathe in and out and visualize ourselves on a mountain top—the place where we meet the God of Peace. Continue reading →

Advent presents us with an opportunity to stand aside and see things anew. Like Isaiah and the other prophets, we can dream. We can envision a better world. We can hope for things to come. It is a time of prophecy, a time of hope, a time for dreaming wonderful possibilities. It is a time to look beyond what is and to hope for the God of Peace to make all things new. In the end, God will wipe away every tear. Continue reading →

War, war, war!
War all around us.
“Kill the terrorist bastards!”
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
Forgive your enemies
And pray for those who persecute you.” Continue reading →

The readings for Thanksgiving (Dt. 8:7-18, Col. 3:12-17, and Mk. 5:18-20) are about gratitude and Thanksgiving. Paul makes it clear that, when we are grateful to God, we live accordingly.
I often struggle with biblical concepts related to land, acquisition of the land and prosperity bestowed by God. I struggle especially when politicians remind us that we have been blessed and that we Americans are God’s chosen people. Somehow God’s bounty to us gets twisted into a divine mission to “save” the rest of the world from itself. It is wrapped up in the prosperity Gospel. Go to church, say your prayers and God will shower you with blessings. Of course, those of us who have been privileged will reap more of the divine rewards. We may even have to oppress others to get what we “rightfully deserve.” Continue reading →