Monday, December 19, 2005 at 12:12am
Who is the protagonist in the Gospels?
It seems that Jesus was someone who saw those loopholes in life — those areas where he could take advantage of a situation. He chose not to do so. Instead of perpetuating the status quo, he set course for a different destination; he chose empathy and love.
Or, did Jesus not have the opportunity to live differently? Perhaps if he had been Roman and had status and power, he would have done as the occupiers — oppressed peoples, cheated and stolen livelihoods, etc.
Christmas approaches, and who is this man that was supposed to have been born? As if taken from the New Testament authors themselves, some say that Jesus was a prophet, a king, a healer. I think we all should remove the fence that we have placed around Jesus and ponder the individual.
First, we should remember that 21st century humanity is different from first century humanity. Honor and shame were everything and psychology and numerous technologies did not exist. Now, we can proceed in our quest. We can neither fear what is revealed about him, nor what may be revealed about ourselves.
First century peoples used their memorization skills more so than 21st century peoples. Many gospels illustrate the people's reliance on stories to spread information and to aid in their memorization skills.
For our rediscovery of Jesus, let us imagine listening to his stories for the first time. Our happiness could very well depend on our remembering his stories, and the happiness of our families may depend on our getting the stories correct. In other words, we cannot allow the message to be garbled as in the children's game telephone where a message is whispered from person to person, and by the time it arrives to the last person the message has changed. No, we cannot muss its meaning.
We are going to share his stories with many people just as he shared them with us. It is not important that we remember how many talents the master gave each servant (Matt 25), nor is it important to know who was shown in a better light, the Pharisee or the tax collector (Luke 18). The crucial elements are the meanings behind the stories and how to speak those in such a way that the listeners remember them. I say this as a warning.
Some become discouraged and frustrated as they rediscover Jesus. At any given time there are numerous sayings of Jesus around, and how can one know which is true? Listen to their messages. atheists, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Eastern religions, etc., may or may not know every story of Jesus verbatim, but they know his messages.
Have fun in your journeys and remember Jesus' messages in your stories as if you had to remember them because your happiness and your family's happiness depends on them.
Today, unless one happens to enter a course on christology (the study of the person of Jesus) the identity of Jesus is taken for granted. Individuals choose to rely on their (or their parents') static understanding of Jesus instead of taking a more dynamic approach.
Our quest is noble indeed. The debate about Jesus has taken place since the first century. For those who believe Jesus is the God, a god (as in one of many gods and goddesses), the God's holy messenger, or a god's holy messenger, the indecision continues to unfold.
How curious and passion-filled religious journeys are! It seems wonderful and timely during the holidays to participate in this dialogue. I think Jesus was not only an orator and a listener, but he also bolstered the minds of those near him so that they would continue to grow, to grapple, and to share knowledge.
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Quinton Jefferson, a graduate student at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio is working towards his Masters in Theology. He is a member of a Roman Catholic Church and is a member of its choir. Quinton's email is {email Quinton_Marques@yahoo.com}Quinton_Marques@yahoo.com{/email}. © copyright 2005 by Quinton Jefferson.
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UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum is a big tent for all expressions
of faith and spirituality, neither excluding nor favoring any.
All opinions expressed belong to the writer alone, and are
not necessarily shared by UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum.
Or, did Jesus not have the opportunity to live differently? Perhaps if he had been Roman and had status and power, he would have done as the occupiers — oppressed peoples, cheated and stolen livelihoods, etc.
Christmas approaches, and who is this man that was supposed to have been born? As if taken from the New Testament authors themselves, some say that Jesus was a prophet, a king, a healer. I think we all should remove the fence that we have placed around Jesus and ponder the individual.
First, we should remember that 21st century humanity is different from first century humanity. Honor and shame were everything and psychology and numerous technologies did not exist. Now, we can proceed in our quest. We can neither fear what is revealed about him, nor what may be revealed about ourselves.
First century peoples used their memorization skills more so than 21st century peoples. Many gospels illustrate the people's reliance on stories to spread information and to aid in their memorization skills.
For our rediscovery of Jesus, let us imagine listening to his stories for the first time. Our happiness could very well depend on our remembering his stories, and the happiness of our families may depend on our getting the stories correct. In other words, we cannot allow the message to be garbled as in the children's game telephone where a message is whispered from person to person, and by the time it arrives to the last person the message has changed. No, we cannot muss its meaning.
We are going to share his stories with many people just as he shared them with us. It is not important that we remember how many talents the master gave each servant (Matt 25), nor is it important to know who was shown in a better light, the Pharisee or the tax collector (Luke 18). The crucial elements are the meanings behind the stories and how to speak those in such a way that the listeners remember them. I say this as a warning.
Some become discouraged and frustrated as they rediscover Jesus. At any given time there are numerous sayings of Jesus around, and how can one know which is true? Listen to their messages. atheists, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Eastern religions, etc., may or may not know every story of Jesus verbatim, but they know his messages.
Have fun in your journeys and remember Jesus' messages in your stories as if you had to remember them because your happiness and your family's happiness depends on them.
Today, unless one happens to enter a course on christology (the study of the person of Jesus) the identity of Jesus is taken for granted. Individuals choose to rely on their (or their parents') static understanding of Jesus instead of taking a more dynamic approach.
Our quest is noble indeed. The debate about Jesus has taken place since the first century. For those who believe Jesus is the God, a god (as in one of many gods and goddesses), the God's holy messenger, or a god's holy messenger, the indecision continues to unfold.
How curious and passion-filled religious journeys are! It seems wonderful and timely during the holidays to participate in this dialogue. I think Jesus was not only an orator and a listener, but he also bolstered the minds of those near him so that they would continue to grow, to grapple, and to share knowledge.
———
Quinton Jefferson, a graduate student at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio is working towards his Masters in Theology. He is a member of a Roman Catholic Church and is a member of its choir. Quinton's email is {email Quinton_Marques@yahoo.com}Quinton_Marques@yahoo.com{/email}. © copyright 2005 by Quinton Jefferson.
UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum is a big tent for all expressions
of faith and spirituality, neither excluding nor favoring any.
All opinions expressed belong to the writer alone, and are
not necessarily shared by UPI Religion & Spirituality Forum.