- Activist Feedback
- Reflections on the Lectionary: Mark 13:1-8
- This Week’s Sermon
from Rev. Frank and Mary Hoffman
1. Activist Feedback
Carol, who leafleted at a Joyce Meyer Conference in Houston last week,
writes:
I leafleted 2 boxes and it was great. The people were
nice and receptive ... I ran out of leaflets before I ran out of
people! I highly recommend Joyce Meyers Conferences for our CVA
leaflet distribution.
Upcoming Activist Opportunities
11/24 NC Greensboro
The Story Tour by Mathew West
11/26
FL Tampa
The Story Tour by Mathew West
11/29
MI Grand Rapids The
Story Tour By Matthew West.
11/29
MN Duluth
Kutless Christian Rock Concert
11/29
MO St. Charles
Bill Gaither Christmas Homecoming Tour
11/30
OH Columbus Bill Gaither
Christmas Homecoming Tour
11/30
MN St. Paul
Kutless Christian Rock Concert
11/30
TX Plano
Women of Faith Christmas!
12/1 MO
Independence The Story
Tour by Mathew West
12/1 MN Brainerd
Kutless Christian Rock Concert
12/1
MI Jackson
Point Of Grace Christian Concert
12/2
MN Saint Paul The Story Tour by Mathew
West
12/3 SD Sioux Falls
The Story Tour by Mathew West
12/4 IL
Hoffman Estates The Story Tour By Mathew West
12/6
TX Cypress
The Story Tour by Mathew West
12/7 TX
Dallas
The Story Tour by Mathew West
12/8 TX
San Antonio The
Story Tour By Matthew West
12/9 IN
Wabash
New Song's Very Merry Christmas Tour
12/10
MI Port Huron New Song's Very Merry
Christmas Tour
12/11
MI Manitowoc Newsong's Very Merry
Christmas Tour
Contact Paris at
christian_vegetarian@yahoo.com if you can help. To find out about
all upcoming leafleting and tabling opportunities in your area, join
the CVA Calendar Group at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christian_vegetarian/.
2. Reflections on the Lectionary: Mark 13:1-8
In this passage,
Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple as well as wars,
earthquakes, and famines. He declares, “this is but the beginnings of
the birthpangs.” Many scholars think that Mark was written after the
revolt against Romans, and they suggest that these words attributed to
Jesus about wars and the destruction of the Temple are not predictions
but rather statements about history. There have been few times in
human history when predictions about wars failed to materialize within
a few generations. Are Jesus’ predictions actually statements of
history or just safe guesses, or do they relate to Jesus’ ministry
itself?
Jesus championed those who were outcasts – the widows,
orphans, poor people, and disabled people who could be easily blamed
as scapegoats during times of trouble. Scapegoating always involves
violence or threats of violence, but in the short term it can
alleviate violence because people believe (falsely) that they have
eradicated or controlled the evil in their midst. They become united
in their hatred for scapegoats, and their mutual feelings of relief
after scapegoats are punished (often by death) reduces strife between
each other. If Jesus could expose scapegoating as a lie, then there
would be a risk of conflict before real peace might someday prevail.
How does scapegoating relate to earthquakes and famines? I offer
two theories. These events were once attributed to human activities,
and typically people sought scapegoat victims to blame for natural
disasters. If there are no scapegoats, these events become more
terrifying, because people have less sense of control. If the people
cannot blame and kill scapegoats, the people feel vulnerable to
further events.
A second theory is that Jesus was being
rhetorical. He understood that societies engage in scapegoating in an
effort to prevent both man-made and natural disasters. He wanted to
warn people that ending scapegoating would not end disasters.
Ultimately, however, his path would lead to the “kingdom of God” in
which there would be peaceful coexistence.
Stephen R. Kaufman,
M.D.
3. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary
Hoffman
Working for Unconditional Compassion