⁦@BrianZahnd⁩ and I had a conversation today around Hiroshima & Transfiguration, Jesus & the way of the cross vs the way of violence. Enjoy! “Let’s at least be radical enough to believe that Jesus knew what he was talking about.” BZ instagram.com/tv/CDjeipppAfc…

When Isaiah prophecies about the vengeance God brings (Isaiah 35:1-10), Isaiah describes this as the healing of the earth and of humans; the desert blooms and the blind see, rains fall in the wilderness and the deaf hear. So when we heed the words of Paul, who tells us to leave “vengeance” to God, it sounds like what we are waiting for is goodness and beauty, not destruction and death. Vengeance means salvation for us and for the earth and recompense for every “ravenous beast” that opposes God’s good intentions for the world and for humans, including anything in us that does not participate in the love God is. It seems vengeance works differently for God than it does in the fallen order of things.

Tomorrow is New Year’s Day. The sacred year draws our time and our humanity into the time and humanity of God, and like the human who is God the sacred seasons are always new and ever-renewing. This gift of the sacred year can be diminished—into “practices,” into dreary competitions between Advent and Christmas, into trying to gain something that is already every human’s birthright, into something we do for God rather than something God does in and for us. Rather, despite our failures to keep the sacred year authentically, we are drawn by the Spirit into the time God makes for us, drawn into God’s very human life among us as one of us, the one whose life is for us all. The life of Christ is every human’s gift, and so the sacred year belongs to everyone. The sacred year is the human year, for there is already a place in the body of Christ shaped like every human there is. Jesus is himself the gift of the sacred year. In each passing year, each time through the circle—in every fast, feast, and ordinary moment—we hear something in his voice as yet unheard, see something in his face as yet unseen. And our pilgrimage together into Jesus Christ never ends, in time or in eternity. It just goes on and on and on. The mystery of his person and of our participation in his body is truly great. Image: Michael McVeigh’s portrayal of the sacred year for Trinity Church in Wenatchee, Washington.

“The Kingdom of God does not cater to the rich and powerful as the kingdoms of this world do.” @BrianZahnd

“The infant of the Barren rejoices over the infant of the Virgin.” @BrianZahnd

Strive to stay enchanted or get re-enchanted this Advent/Christmas season. “Seek the mystery.” **Inspired by @BrianZahnd’s Sunday message in the second Sunday of Advent.

“As you enter this life I pray you depart With a wrinkled face And a brand new heart.” ‘Love and Peace or Else’ @U2 youtu.be/Cdt9kE58uww?si=1zay…

“The kingdom of God does not come by ballots and bullets but by the cross of Christ and co-suffering love.” @BrianZahnd

Flight 4 of 10 in 11 days is about to commence. @kcsymphony

“If all is fair in love and war then what the hell is loving even for?” @JOHNNYSWIM

Ep. 74 highlight featuring @brianzahnd

Another great perspective by BZ on this American holy-day.

I am once again unimpressed with @enterprisecares. Why should you need 3 different numbers associated with an account to get a reservation if you’re a member? Shouldn’t there be one number for billing, membership, and account? The hoops to jump through are ridiculous.

“The Bible doesn’t point itself to itself. The Bible points to Jesus.” @BrianZahnd

You never turn your back on the inbounder. Ever.

“Don’t skip the sad parts [of Holy Week]..” @perizahnd

If your entire understanding of church history consists of people with first and last names then you probably haven’t gone back far enough.