Readings, March 11, 2007

Luke
Chapter 13 1 1 2 At that time some people who were present there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. 2 He said to them in reply, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? 3 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! 4 Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them 3 --do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? 5 By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!"

1 Corinthians
Chapter 10 1 1 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, 2 and all of them were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 All ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, 2 and the rock was the Christ. 5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the desert. 6 3 These things happened as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil things, as they did. 10 Do not grumble as some of them did, and suffered death by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to them as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come. 4 12 Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. 5

Exodus
Chapter 3 1 1 Meanwhile Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 2 There an angel of the LORD appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed. 3 So Moses decided, "I must go over to look at this remarkable sight, and see why the bush is not burned." 4 When the LORD saw him coming over to look at it more closely, God called out to him from the bush, "Moses! Moses!" He answered, "Here I am." 5 God said, "Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. 6 3 I am the God of your father," he continued, "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob." Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 But the LORD said, "I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers, so I know well what they are suffering. 8 4 Therefore I have come down to rescue them from the hands of the Egyptians and lead them out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey, the country of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 13 "But," said Moses to God, "when I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' if they ask me, 'What is his name?' what am I to tell them?" 14 5 God replied, "I am who am." Then he added, "This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you." 15 God spoke further to Moses, "Thus shall you say to the Israelites: The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. "This is my name forever; this is my title for all generations.

Catholic Fundamentalist Interpretation:

People made the usual complaint: If there is a God who loves us, why is there murder and early death? The Program said those killed by Pilate were not greater sinners than their countrymen.

Those killed by accident were not greater sinners. 

Those deaths were final. They were as guilty as everyone else in Jerusalem. But you, who may be saved, will die instead, as they died, instead of living forever, if you do not repent.

Catholic Fundamentalists believe the people of Corinth, like most Europeans, were descended from the Ten Northern Tribes (our ancestors). The common ancestors of the European peoples were selected from those Hebrews chosen to be freed from slavery to the biggest of governments. They all knew God, they had the same spiritual capacity, and were sustained by an early manifestation of Christ, the life-giving Rock and chooser of a later life-giving rock. 

Despite the Programming they had seen in the form of manna and water, most of those set free still ignored The Programmer and The Program, so were removed from those who obeyed. They, who had been chosen to be free, were struck down to show that the same thing will happen to us if we choose to do what The Programmer has forbidden. This age is the end of the ages, so believe.

Be careful! Those who think they are safely saved, must be careful not to fall.

Returning to sin is extremely dangerous.

Like Abel, whom The Programmer loved, Moses spent time as a shepherd. He practiced leading sheep across the desert until he came to God's mountain. A spiritual being who worked for The Programmer appeared to him in a burning bush that was not consumed by the fire. Its source of energy puzzled Moses.

After the angel had drawn Moses to the bush, The Programmer called to him. Moses did not run, but acknowledged his presence. After Moses obeyed His command to take off his shoes, The Programmer said, "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob recognized me as The Programmer." That frightened Moses. The Programmer said, "I have heard my people cry against their slavery, so I'm taking them to freedom, where many of Ham and Japheth's descendents live.

"The Israelites will ask you my name. Tell them, "I am who am." Then, say "I am sent me to you."

Catholic Fundamentalists see this as prefiguring The Holy Trinity. "I am" is The Programmer. "Who Am" is the Program in the perfect, human form of Christ, and "Sent" is the Holy Wireless Connector.