CINCINNATI ASIAN FOOD FEST 4/29-4/30/2023 |
AAPI Cultural Heritage Celebratory Art Exhibit & Art Event Opening: Saturday May 27th 2023 2 to 6 PM Opening Reception Program: 2pm Welcome and Introductions 2:10pm Panel discussions: “Being Asian American in the United States” Panelists: JP Leong, Yu Ling Huang, Aspen Stein, An Wang; Facilitator: Aspen Stein 3pm Poetry readings: Daphne Constantinides, Casey Harloe, Andy Sia 3:30pm Art presentations by exhibiting Artists 4pm Break 4:15-5:30pm Performances: Sarah Gorak, musician/singer JP Leong, singer/songwriter An Wang, video Filipino folk dance (to be confirmed) Audience Participation 5:30pm Reception Art Exhibit: May 27-June 11 Gallery hours: Sat & Sun: 2-5pm; and by appointment (513-570 8767) Exhibiting Artists: Joomi Chung, Kara Henry, Mei Hoffman, Yu Ling Huang, Eunshin Khang, JeeEun Lee, JP Leong, Peiyu Liu, Sara Lu, Mark Patsfall, Anissa Pulcheon, Michael Romanos, Aspen Q Stein, An Wang, Charleston Wang, Xinghong Michelle Yang, Andy Zhang Closes June 11, 2024 Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church 103 William Howard Taft Road Cincinnati, OH 45219 sos art cincinnati https://sosartcincinnati.com/# |
Photo Courtesy of Charleston C.K. Wang, Esq. - May 2012 Historical note: TCG Denizkusu P321 was a fast patrol craft of Turkey which saw service from 1967-2016. With a complement of 39, she was capable of 40 knots and was armed with Breda 40 mm/70 Bofors and various torpedoes. |
Istanbul Bosphorus Bridge peaceful at night in 2012 Photocredit: Charleston C. K. Wang, Esq. |
OKSANA ZHURAVSKA- PUTIN WAR CRIMINAL Paralegal WANGLAW in front of Cincinnati City Hall on 2/28/2022 PROTESTING PUTIN'S INVASION OF UKRAINE BEGINNING ON FEBRUARY 24 , 2022 The Invasion Has Violated all the International Law Post Nuremburg The Nuremberg trials established and implemented the principle that all of humanity would have the protection of an international legal shield and that even a Head of State does not have immunity but instead would be held criminally responsible and punished for waging wars of aggression (crimes against peace) and committing Crimes Against Humanity, genocide and violations of the Geneva Conventions and other humanitarian laws and customs of war. |
Click on Photo to see more |
Trihealth Pavilion 2015 SWIM THE COAST T-Shirt Awarded Distance Swim THIRTY FIVE (35) MILES March 2015 |
INTERETHNIC COUNCIL OF GREATER CINCINNATI, INC. HAS A NEW HOMEPAGE AT www.interethnic.net Click on Photo to Visit |
To read "The Road to Emmaus," click here. |
To read "Confession of a Gentile in Jerusalem: The Paradox of the Five Sheklim Blessing," click here. |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
Working the Tan Lines on the bank of the Dead Sea the Lowest Body of Water on Earth more than 1300 feet below Sea Level April 2010. Somewhere near lie biblical Sodom & Gomorrah. |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
Charge of Light Brigade-Lord Alfred Tennyson Last of Light Brigade-Rudyard Kipling Recessional (Victorian Ode)-Rudyard Kipling |
Bill Bell and Charleston C. K. Wang |
Four Elders from Uzbekistan in their many colored coats Photocredit: Boris Yusupov |
Robert Harris & Charleston C. K. Wang |
BE THE CHANGE: CIVIL RIGHTS & IMMIGRATION REFORM IN 2013 |
Bill Bell and Charleston C. K. Wang |
INFOCUS: CHEMICAL WEAPONS & THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN SYRIA Click on Photo |
PLEASE CLIICK ON PHOTO TO SEE COMPLETE PHOTONEWS SPECIAL ON "THE FACES OF TURKEY." |
To view "The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu" click here. |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
To view "The Garden of Gethsemane and Church of All Nations," click here. |
To view "Caesarea Maritima as Known to Saint Paul," click here. |
From Left to Right - Charleston C. K. Wang, Esq., Visiting Professor Mary Ellen O'Connell (1998-1999) & Dean Gordon A. Christenson, Emeritus University of Cincinnati College of Law |
TO RETURN TO FIRST PAGE NEWS, CLICK HERE CLICK TO GO TO >PAGE 1> >PAGE 2> >PAGE 3> >PAGE 4> >PAGE 5> >PAGE 6> >PAGE 7> >PAGE 8> >PAGE 9> >PAGE10> >PAGE11> >PAGE 12> >PAGE 13> >PAGE 14> >PAGE 15> >PAGE 16> Photocredit for this page: Charleston C. K. Wang |
To view "Pilgrimage to Bethlehem, Birthplace of Jesus, click here. |
To view "Herodion: A Fortress During the Gospels," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
THE WRATH OF PAUL Click here or on photo to see WANGNEWS Special |
To view "In Search of the Messianic Secret - Caesarea Phillipi," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
EPHESUS OF ST. PAUL & ST. JOHN Click here or on photo to see WANGNEWS Special |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
THE HOLY ISLE OF PATMOS Click here or on photo to see WANGNEWS Special |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To view "Two Very Different Houses" click here. |
To read "Descending to the Dead Sea and Ascending to Qumran," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
THE WRATH OF PAUL Click here or on photo to see WANGNEWS Special |
To view "The Call for Simon Peter, Fisherman," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To read "In Search of Lazarus," click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
INFOCUS: CHEMICAL WEAPONS & THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN SYRIA Click on Photo |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
BE THE CHANGE: CIVIL RIGHTS & IMMIGRATION REFORM IN 2013 |
Robert Harris & Charleston C. K. Wang |
Bill Bell and Charleston C. K. Wang |
Bill Bell and Charleston C. K. Wang |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
PLEASE CLIICK ON PHOTO TO SEE COMPLETE PHOTONEWS SPECIAL ON "THE FACES OF TURKEY." |
LET'S PLAY! > |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To view Group photos of Cincinnati Pilgrims in Jerusalem click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To view "Visitng the Dome of the Rock" click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
THE WRATH OF PAUL Click here or on photo to see WANGNEWS Special |
MEDITATING MEDITERRANEAN Click here or on photo to see WANGNEWS Special |
THE WRATH OF PAUL Click here or on photo to see WANGNEWS Special |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
V More Photonews to come. Visit www.wangnews.net again and soon! V V |
Bill Bell and Charleston C. K. Wang |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
INFOCUS: UNIVERSAL EDUCATION IN THE WORLD - Example of Malala Yousafzai Click on Photo |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
To read "The Road to Emmaus," click here. |
Trihealth Pavilion 2015 SWIM THE COAST T-Shirt Awarded Distance Swim THIRTY FIVE (35) MILES March 2015 |
Bill Bell and Charleston C. K. Wang |
THE ASIAN AMERICAN HOUR has gotten bigger - we are now on the air weekly on public radio WAIF-CINCINNATI 88.3 FM and our broadcast time has moved to prime-time THE ASIAN AMERICAN HOUR CONTINUES 21 YEARS ON THE AIR WITH WAIF 88.3 FM - Date of First Broadcast: 6/7/2001 THE ASIAN AMERICAN HOUR will continue to feature talk, and music, and other good things with a discernable slant towards Asian American affairs, immigration, and many other issues of interest to our community-at-large. THE ASIAN AMERICAN HOUR is produced and hosted by Charleston Wang, Esq. with John G. O'Neill. as co-host, together with our distinguished guests. So, tune in to THE ASIAN AMERICAN HOUR on WAIF-CINCINNATI 88.3 FM. every Monday 5-6 PM. Get the latest on the Asian American community in Cincinnati, the fast growing & mobile community in the Tri-state. After listening to the THE ASIAN AMERICAN HOUR, e-mail us direct feedback and thoughts by clicking here. If you or a friend wish to be a guest on THE ASIAN AMERICAN HOUR, please let us know. Tune in to THE ASIAN AMERICAN HOUR every Monday 5 - 6 PM on WAIF 88.3 FM Cincinnati on the air, or listen Via internet streaming audio from anywhere in the world by clicking here. Charleston C. K. Wang, Producer & Host John G. O'Neill, Co-Host |
WANGLAW Attorneys & Counselors at Law |
SEARCH WANGNEWS |
THE ASIAN AMERICAN HOUR on WAIF 88.3 FM Cincinnati IS NOW A WEEKLY PRIME-TIME SHOW EVERY MONDAY EVENING 5 - 6 P.M. Informing the People of Cincinnati (and Beyond) since 6/7/2001. Listen via internet streaming audio by clicking here, CONTACT US AT asianamericanhour@wangnews.net |
WANGNEWS |
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Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety - Benjamin Franklin (1759). |
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EVERY MONDAY EVENING 5 - 6 P.M. |
EVERY MONDAY EVENING 5 - 6 P.M. |
KEEP CALM BREATHE ON! |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
Charge of Light Brigade-Lord Alfred Tennyson Last of Light Brigade-Rudyard Kipling Recessional (Victorian Ode)-Rudyard Kipling |
Four Elders from Uzbekistan in their many colored coats Photocredit: Boris Yusupov |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
To view "The Garden of Gethsemane and Church of All Nations," click here. |
To view "Caesarea Maritima as Known to Saint Paul," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To view "The Call for Simon Peter, Fisherman," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To read "In Search of Lazarus," click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To read "Descending to the Dead Sea and Ascending to Qumran," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
A Very Happy United Kyrgyz Family of Three Generations at WANGLAW February 16, 2023 Kyrgyzstan is a former Soviet republic with a deteriorating human rights record in recent years and was involved in a border war with neighboring Tajikistan in 2021-22 with the displacement of 40,000 civilians |
Monet's Garden & House Click on Thumbnail |
Mont Saint Michel Click on Thumbnail |
D-Day, Normandy France Click on Thumbnail |
CINCINNATI REMEMBERS ONE YEAR INVASION AGAINST UKRAINE BY RUSSIA Wyoming Presbyterian Church, Cincnnati, Ohio 2/24/2023 To see complete moomoonews, click here |
HAPPY DINNER TIME AT SEOUL KOREAN HOTPOT & BBQ, MASON, OHIO March 16, 2023 |
SUSHI SASHIMI Asian Paradise Restaurant Loveland, Ohio 5/20/2023 |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
Charge of Light Brigade-Lord Alfred Tennyson Last of Light Brigade-Rudyard Kipling Recessional (Victorian Ode)-Rudyard Kipling |
Four Elders from Uzbekistan in their many colored coats Photocredit: Boris Yusupov |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
To view "The Garden of Gethsemane and Church of All Nations," click here. |
To view "Caesarea Maritima as Known to Saint Paul," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To view "The Call for Simon Peter, Fisherman," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To read "In Search of Lazarus," click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
Working the Tan Lines by the Aegean of the Mediterranen Beyond in the mist rises fabled Patmos, May 2012 |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
Charge of Light Brigade-Lord Alfred Tennyson Last of Light Brigade-Rudyard Kipling Recessional (Victorian Ode)-Rudyard Kipling |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To view "In The Upper Room" click \here. |
To view "The Garden of Gethsemane and Church of All Nations," click here. |
To view "Caesarea Maritima as Known to Saint Paul," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To view "The Call for Simon Peter, Fisherman," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To view "The Empty Tombs," click here. |
To read "Jury for Jericho," click here. |
To read"The Wilderness of Abraham, Jesus & Israel- Palestine," click here. |
To view "Into the Heat of the Hebron Cauldon," \click here. |
To read "A Reflection of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem from the Ground," click here. |
CHARLESTON C. K. WANG NAZLY MAMEDOVA WANGLAW |
HAPPY DINNER TIME AT SEOUL KOREAN HOTPOT & BBQ, MASON, OHIO March 16, 2023 |
Monet's Garden & House Click on Thumbnail |
London Déjà Vu Click on Photo to see complete photonews |
Mont Saint Michel Click on Thumbnail |
D-Day, Normandy France Click on Thumbnail |
Photo Courtesy of Charleston C.K. Wang, Esq. - May 2012 Historical note: TCG Denizkusu P321 was a fast patrol craft of Turkey which saw service from 1967-2016. With a complement of 39, she was capable of 40 knots and was armed with Breda 40 mm/70 Bofors and various torpedoes. |
Maneki-Neko = Japanese Cat Who Invites Good Fortune Translation Courtesy of Dr. Shiro Tanaka This Cat is Seen in many Asian American restaurants for Good Luck Waving one Arm of Welcome |
ENJOYING ANGIE TEE PANG'S MALAYSIAN STREET FOOD |
Photo Courtesy Michael Underwood 3/16/2023 |
OKSANA ZURAVSKA, PARALEGAL WANGLAW, ELECTED TO DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OF THE CINCINNATI PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION Executive Officers and Committee Members at the Metropolitan Club, Covington, Kentucky, May 2, 2023 |
Metropolitan Club, Covington, Kentucky, May 2, 2023 |
WANGLAW CELEBRATING THE END OF FASCIST TYRANTS IN EUROPE VE DAY May 8, 2023 |
Vadim Kovalenko & Maxsym Pasichnyk, Veterans from Ukraine Run in Flying Pigs Marathon, Cincinnati, May 7, 2023 |
George Fee, Esq. Esteemed Immigration Lawyer FEE LAW GROUP LLC Drops in on WANGLAW Driving Red Mustang - May 11, 2023 |
Ford Mustang American Muscle |
CINCINNATI PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION Summer Roof Top Party at KMK Law, Cincinnati May 15, 2023 |
Sycamore High School Senior Awards Night Montgomery, Ohio 05/18/2023 Charleston & Shirley Wang Award for Outstanding Graduate with English As a Second Language: Suzanna Stepanyan I-Tsen Wang Award for Outstanding Graduate in Arts & Music: Darya Tsoy Where the bee sucks, there suck I; In a cowslip's bell I lie; There I couch when owls do cry. On the bat's back I do fly After summer merrily. Merrily, merrily, shall I live now Under the blossom that hangs on the bough. ......... O, wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, That has such people in't. (Tempest, Act 5 Scene 1) |
WAITING FOR SUMMER 2023 This is a 2018 photo |
Charleston C K Wang Speedo Cincinnati USA poolside tanline tan line |
My Malaysian Boy Scout - Senior Scout Badges Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Proficiency Badges, Bushman's Thong 1st Kuala Lumpur Scout Group, Victoria Institution 1968-1972 James Cook Patrol. 1st Kuala Lumpur Senior Scout Troop This Photo Courtesy of Shirley Wang at Symmes School Wilderness Trail, Ohio May 20, 2023 |
Panel Dialogue on "Christian Nationalism" Centennial Chapel, Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati, Ohio & Equasion - May 26, 2023 Opening Remarks: Dean Owen Thompson Panelists: Dr. William Trollinger, Ph.D., Professor of History, University of Dayton Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr., Executive Director of the Ohio Council of Churches Rabbi Gary P. Zola, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives |
Pentecost Sunday at Christ Church Cathedral in the City of Cincinnati May 28, 2023 |
Gospel Lectionary for Pentecost Sunday: John 20:19-23 :- Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” What is Jesus teaching here? Is Jesus saying forgiving is discretionary? Did Jesus give me the power to decide who to forgive? This perplexing sentence from the Johannine Pentecost has challenged my understanding eversince I had first read it . There are three popular explanations: (1) Jesus, through the disciples, commissioned the Church to forgive sins, and also to not forgive sins, (2) Jesus, through the disciples, gave the power to all believers to forgive sins, and also to not forgive sins, (3) Christians, through the Church (or individually) are empowered to set the conditions either to forgive or not forgive - most commonly a demand for confession and repentance. This Pentecost, with input from the esteemed Sunday Lectionary Discussion Group, I beg to point another understanding with the help from the Synoptic Gospels. The first is the utterance of Jesus when he was nailed to the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23-34. The second , quite poignant, is within the Lord's Prayer: And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. Luke 11:4. A more complete rendition by Matthew : "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Matt 6:12 with further clarification: "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matt 6:14. Thus the sins retained by not forgiving sins of any are our own sins |