Rama Ramanathan

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Faith as small as a mustard seed for what?

Now we see why the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. They asked because they understood faith as a gift. But Jesus answer about the sufficiency of faith as small as a mustard seed shows that he understood faith as a commitment: as a commitment to step out and do things which would be very challenging, very dangerous. And what was Jesus’ answer?

The Wisdom of the Dishonest Manager: A Biblical Perspective

This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Luke 16:1-13. The English Standard Version supplies the lection with the heading “The Parable of the Dishonest Manager.” For a long time, I wished this story wasn’t in the Bible. I wished Jesus hadn’t told it. But now I see that it’s stories like this one which …

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God’s Relentless Pursuit: Lessons from the Rich Shepherd and the Poor Widow

This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Luke 15:1-10. The English Standard Version supplies the selection with two headings. The first heading, for verses 1-7, is “The Parable of the Lost Sheep.” The second heading, for verses 8-10, is “The Parable of the Lost Coin.” I used to think the first story is absurd. …

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Did Jesus really say Christians must hate their families?

This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Luke 14:25-33. The English Standard Version supplies the heading “The Cost of Discipleship.” Luke introduces the story by telling us that great crowds joined Jesus. Today, when we think of crowds, we think of stadiums; sports; bands; protests. Security issues. Success. Success is what lead singers, politicians, …

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Why did Jesus tango with rich Pharisees on a Saturday?

The story unfolds in occupied territory, like Malaya during the Japanese occupation from 1941-1945. Occupation rulers feel especially insecure because they’re foreigners. If they feel threatened, they will act. Quickly.

The sabbath was a distinguishing marker for the Jews – it’s a day of rest, a day for re-centring on God by reading his word, remembering why he made people, and how he relates to us.

Why did Jesus straighten a bent over woman in a synagogue on the day of rest?

Image credit: Barbara Schwarz OP This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Luke 13:10-17. The English Standard Version supplies the passage with the title “A Woman with a Disabling Spirit.” J B Phillips, in his paraphrase, supplies the title “Jesus reduces the Sabbatarians to silence.”[1] Sabbatarians are people who maintain that we must do …

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Pastor Hsi: A Beacon of Hope in 19th Century China

Pastor Hsi (1836-1896) was born in Shanxi, China. He was born into wealth. His father and grandfather were scholars. They also compounded herbs to treat ailments. They handed down recipes from generation to generation. Hsi took the name “Sheng Mo” when he was baptized. Sheng Mo means demon slayer. Hsi was very intelligent. He studied …

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Did Jesus tell us to set the world on fire?

This Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Luke 12:49-56. The English Standard Version supplies verses 49-53 with the heading “Not Peace, but Division,” and the heading “Interpreting the Time,” for verses 54-56. Harmony is the condition of being at peace. Thinking about harmony helps us understand what the passage tells us Jesus said. Harmony …

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