Historical Setting, 626 C.E. The farm in the Vosges
“Beware!” I tell Brandell, “When a voice of authority says, ‘Since you can’t read,’ or ‘because this is voluminous and technical let me tell you what it really says’ then you can expect misinformation, lies and untruths which are easily doled out to the illiterate and ignorant. And within the web of half-truths and lies, dangle prejudices and unfounded hates that sever human ties to one another and wound the very heart of God’s love for all people.
“While Rabbi’s read the Torah scrolls to those inside the Temple, the Roman propaganda spreads like a plague of hate throughout the illiterate masses in streets. So, Jesus went out to those who were being miss-led to follow rumors of hate, and he told the common people what was actually written in the law: ‘Love God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength and the second important law is to love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“In these times this matter of Christians turning against their own history warps truth and bears horrific consequences of hate simply by nurturing ignorance.”
Now my son is telling me, “Christians are not even supposed to say that Jesus was Jewish.”
“Brandell this is a complicated time.”
“Papa. I wish it was only the time – the tempo of the dance that was complicated. Then people could just dance themselves into the mythical bliss of love, and never have to worry over nurturing the hates. But I guess we have to deal with it as it is.”
“What can I say, Son? Old words sound different in new seasons but no one should rewrite history just to raise up some nearly extinct Roman empire.”
“The Church authority talked about that. He said we are Christian now and it is for the Church to tell us what the bible really means to say, regardless of what the words say.”
“I would call that ridiculous, but I know even invented hates are serious when ignited by power-thirsty lies. Maybe it is that devil side of human nature that prefers hateful rumors over facts.”
“So, you blame devils too, Papa?”
“That was just a figure of speech. Back in that time when the Romans so brutally killed Jesus, even when we tried to see things through the vantage point of God’s universal love, vision was blurred by so many hates and hurts, crucifixions, persecutions, obliteration and annihilation. Roman political propaganda made Jews appear as the enemy of Christians.”
Brandell asks, “Then, did Rome finally conquer the Jews?”
(Continues Tuesday, January 23, 2024)
Lazarus Ink 