A Post-Modern Take on Jesus

From the Wooster Massachusetts Telegram & Gazette:

Singer Rickie Lee Jones grew up a Catholic, and to this day considers herself an avid reader of the Bible.

Yet she made two important clarifications. First, she pointed out, “I am not a Christian.”

And as for her Catholic upbringing, Jones said, “I didn’t necessarily learn about Jesus. I learned how to be Catholic. A lot of churches are like that, not focusing on the message but on how to practice the religion. But all that is extraneous stuff. I want to know what the guy had to say.”

Which led Jones to “The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard,” an exquisite musical journey through Christ’s teachings.

“The discussion was an intriguing one. If we didn’t tell people what the impetus was behind the songs, they probably wouldn’t know it was all based on Jesus. If they just heard it, it would probably just be considered a wonderful record,” she said.

Jones wholeheartedly endorses Christ’s messages of love, justice and faith, which explains why she uses the brand name in talking about her new music. She also understands the dilemma of using the Christian tag.

“You have to defend yourself whenever raising the Christian thing. There is so much weight to it, and it frightens people, rightfully so. But it’s such a great message that it would be great if people didn’t have to defend themselves whenever saying ‘Christ,’ ” she said.

If you live on either the left or right coasts and in many other places, you have heard this all before. Churchless Jesus spirituality without the "baggage" and the "trappings".

If you could met Ricki for coffee or a beer in a nice relaxed place, what would you, as a Catholic, like to say to her?