Thursday, February 2, 2012

Matthew 5:25,26

"Become well minded to your adversary quickly, while you are with the same, in the journey, so the the adversary does not give you over to the judge and the judge give you over to the officer and you be cast into prison.  Amen I say to you, you will definitely not come out from there, until you have paid the last quadran."

Jesus' teaching on how to relate to those who consider themselves our adversaries: first, it begins with our minds.  We become, very literally in Holy Wind Living Breath New Testament, "well minded."  Without a well mind, reconciliation with adversaries seems improbable.  Part of the affliction of modern fundamentalist religion is the way in which it abrogates reason.  A mental lobotomy makes peace with others very difficult.  Second, reconciliation begins while you are with that person.  Long distance reconciliation is harder. Third, begin the process while you're traveling together, "in the journey."  Otherwise we are all liable to inhabit our own special prisons.

And, note the connection between money and imprisonment during Jesus' time: "until you have paid the last quadran."  Not a lot has changed in the past couple millennia.  The relationship of money and jail time remains very clear.  Those who can pay receive the 'justice'.  .   .

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