Jesus:: the Alpha & Omega

but what's inbetween?

I've been struck as we travel, hang-out and explore around familiar and new places in Paris the reality that most art depicting Jesus of Nazareth is nearly always of his virgin birth in the manger or his violent death on the cross.  (I made a quick slide.com slideshow of some of what I've noticed).

In the Louvre as we fought our way towards La Joconde (aka the Mona Lisa) I was struck in turning around to see a favorite picture of Jesus that shows him in the middle of a crowd, seated at a table, sharing both a meal and discussion.  That's the Jesus I imagine.  I recently finished reading Brian McLaren's book "Everything Must Change" in which he asks the question what are the crucial needs of the world and how would Jesus invite us to respond as a community of followers of Jesus.  Most people open to faith and the active presence of the divine are intrigued and moved by the words of Jesus, yet find the stories of his birth and death less moving. It's Jesus words - (and his death that transforms the system we're trapped in) - that speak to me. - on loving not just yourself, not just your own people but even your enemies. The role and place of possessions.  The meaning of community and self-giving love.  Care for the poor.  God's priorities for the world economy and vision of community.

Having dinner with a friend Thursday night brought this theme up in our discussion.  It's the stuff in the middle, the teachings, words, and transformative actions that speak to us, call us to faith, and motivate us to participate in and for the ongoing emergence of what Jesus called the "kingdom of God" - the vision for the universe of God.  Why is it that the church has so often - and still today - gotten stuck on insisting upon the formulation of what is orthodox and what isn't in terms of the birth and death of Jesus, as opposed to practicing what he taught?