Kenotic Love & the Pericope Adulterae in a Polemical World – Lynnette Missiuna
In a polemical world of anger and fear, of noisy fighting for self-preservation and domination, what does Jesus teach us through the Pericope Adulterae (PA), (the story of the woman caught in adultery) about the practical outworking of consent and participation in kenotic love, in the face of opposition and oppression?
The Feast of Tabernacles celebrated God’s provision in the desert. Placed in the middle of the drama of rising anger and danger, exacerbated by Jesus’ claims to be the fulfillment of the Feast’s ceremonies, is the controverted Pericope Adulterae, which I see as a portrayal of Jesus’ kenotic love.
At considerable risk, Jesus humbles himself before the woman caught in adultery (the Adulterae) and the religious leaders, choosing the way of protector, revealer of hearts, wisdom and love over retaliation and self preservation. He respects the woman’s God-given dignity in her need for de-escalation and reflection, for thoughtful metanoia, as she faces her decision to consent and participate in union with God in His Kingdom.
By reading the story as history and metaphor, considering the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles, I will explore how Jesus demonstrates unpanicked kenotic love, and invites us to consent to and participate in that love, both for ourselves and for the oppressed around us.
CLICK HERE to download the full essay: The Pericope Adulterae
David M. Odorisio (ed.), “Merton and Hinduism: The Yoga of the Heart” review by Ron Dart
David M. Odorisio (ed.), Merton and Hinduism: The Yoga of the Heart, Fons Vitae, 2021. Thomas Merton, like the proverbial fox, rambled across much terrain and in such roaming saw and revealed much in a variety of challenging areas. Merton was not the only Roman...
Symposium II: “If there is any excellence – a conversation on Arete” – with David Goa, Vladika Lazar & Eden Jersak
“Clothed and in his right mind” — Kenneth Tanner
Folks have in recent centuries struggled with the supernatural moments in the gospels, but seeing the things I have seen it puzzles me that some still stumble over manifestations of the demonic in the stories the gospels tell. One could try to blame this recent...
Symposium I: Morality vs. Moralism – Lazar Puhalo with David Goa & Bradley Jersak
The Impact of Christ on Female/Male Relationships – Wayne Northey
This study still has pertinence today. There are two versions, which titles below explain. The second was presented on the University of British Columbia campus to a secular/Christian audience. An excerpt from the first: Introduction A few years ago, a man phoned me...
Communion and Co-Suffering Love – Eden Jersak
Communion Sunday May 29, 2022 This has been another tough week! For those who are burden-bearers, you may have found yourselves overwhelmed with the grief in our news cycles. For those of you who don’t identify as burden bearers, it was a tough week to watch and...
The Godson by Lev Tolstoy (1886)
The Godson (1886) 'Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil.' Matthew. v. 38, 39. 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.' Romans. xii. 19. A...
Overcoming Alienation through Narcotics Anonymous – Abp. Lazar Puhalo
Lazar Puhalo Overcoming Alienation through Narcotics Anonymous One thing I look forward to during the week is our Narcotics Anonymous meeting at the monastery. The longer I participate in it, the more I realise that sin is not our problem –...
Russia, Rwanda and Racism: The Perils of Beheaded Christianity – Sebastian Dortch
Even though bodies filled the morgue, and airstrikes destroyed hospitals, roads, and stores, Vitaliy Kim, governor of the Mykolaiv region of Ukraine, continued his daily walks, reassuring residents that victory was near. “What can I say, the 17th day of war, all is...
God Cannot Fix This. But They Made a Way. Bradley Jersak
GOD CANNOT FIX THIS. BUT THEY MADE A WAY. Another mass shooting motivated by racial hate. Another elementary school massacre. Another foreign invasion, escalating civilian slaughter, evidence of war crimes. Another moment of silence, another flag...