Dionysus on a Bike

Hebrews 13:1-16 – 6/9/2026

We have seen that God does not demand a blood sacrifice or a burnt offering. The way to pleasing God is not through some other creature taking on punishment that we deserve. What is pleasing to God as a sacrifice is sharing what one has with others and “doing good.” Treating other people well, in accordance with the command to love others, that is what God wants from us. The sacrifices at the Temple were distractions from the sacrifices to one another that make each others’ lives better and allow us to live in flourishing community with one another.

In these lectionary reflections, so far, I have tried to delve into theological problems and passages of Scripture with nuance and depth. For this verse, there is little I want to add. The message is a simple one at the heart of the Gospel. Dwelling on it at length and with subtlety is a worthwhile exercise, but doing so can also run the risk of obscuring the main point. Our relationship with the divine is not predicated on the logic of Sacrificial atonement in the sense of the death and blood from one for the guilt of another. In Christ, our relationship with the divine is one of freedom and empowerment to do good and share with one another. That freedom is good news, as it renews are communities, our relationships, and our spirit. Amen.

Reflections of a Dionysian Lutheran, comments on the daily readings of the Revised Common Lectionary by Justin Marquis