Do Not Trust Every Inspiration

Hello! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (31 December 2016)

"My beloved, do not trust every inspiration.  Test the spirits to see whether they come from GOD, because many false prophets are now in the world.

How will you recognize the spirit of GOD?  Any spirit recognizing JESUS as the CHRIST who has taken our flesh is of GOD.  But any spirit that does not recognize JESUS is not from GOD, it is the spirit of the antichrist.  You have heard of HIS coming and even now HE is in the world.

You, my dear children, are of GOD and you have already overcome these people, because the ONE WHO IS in you is more powerful than he who is in the world.

They are of the world and the world inspires them and those of the world listen to them.

We are of GOD and those who know GOD listen to us, but those who are not of GOD ignore us.  This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error as well." - 1 John 4:1-6 

(John underlined the role of the Holy Spirit to guide us in the truth, but now he is dealing with the case of the prophets who do not speak according to the faith received from the apostles through the Church.

There have always been conflicts between those in authority and those who speak freely.  It should be clear that no inspired person would ever be able to speak against the traditional faith of the Church.  What if it deals with ways of being or doing in the Church?  Must we always support the people in charge in all circumstances?  That would be to forget that the Gospel forms free people.  We must never blindly follow the opinion of the pope, or the bishop, or the majority.  It is our responsibility to think for ourselves and to evaluate according to the criteria of the Gospel.

Can we then favor those who seem to be guided by the Spirit?  If the Holy Spirit really inspires them, however much they may criticize what must be criticized, they will never attempt to divide the Church.  The community may expel them, but they will not become responsible for the break.  Even when the local community rejects them, they will never be willing to separate themselves from the universal communion of the Church, which, with time, always recognizes true prophets.)

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Trust Is The Basic Quality Of The Believer

Hi! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (30 December 2016)

"My son, if you have decided to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials.  Keep your heart upright and remain resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity.

Hold fast to the LORD, do not separate yourself from HIM so that you may be successful to the end of your days.  Accept all that happens to you, be patient when you are humbled, for as gold is tested in the fire, so those acceptable to GOD are tested in the crucible of humiliation.  Have confidence in HIM and HE will take care of you; follow the right path and hope in HIM." - Sirach 2:1-6

(Those who want to serve GOD must be ready to face trials and contradictions.  Authentic trust in GOD is demonstrated when things do not turn out well.  Along with faith and perseverance, trust is the basic quality of the believer.) 

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The Sword That Will Pierce Mary's Soul!

Hello! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (29 December 2016)

"Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, HIS mother, 'See HIM; HE will be for the rise or fall of the multitudes of Israel.  HE shall stand as a sign of contradiction, while a sword will pierce your own soul.  Then the secret thoughts of many may be brought to light." - Luke 2:34-35 

Simeoon And Baby JESUS

(What is the meaning of the sword that will pierce Mary's soul?  It indicates Mary's grief upon seeing her Son die on the cross.  It also signifies that Mary will suffer because she will not always understand what her Son does.  The best-shared love will not prevent each from remaining a mystery to the other, and more so for GOD than for anyone else.  GOD does not watch our fidelity from heaven, but rather seeks us [HE tries us in the sense of asking us to reveal ourselves].  The love of the FATHER will be Mary's cross just as it would be for JESUS.

CHRIST is GOD's light which enlightens people, but which also blinds and confuses them at times.  HE is a sign that is opposed, but this is a mystery - those who oppose HIM are not always the worst.  There are some people who believe in CHRIST, but do not follow HIM.  Unable to see HIS light they do not know that it condemns them.  There are good people who do not believe because GOD wills that they seek the light their whole life long.)

  

Mary At The Foot Of Her Son, JESUS CHRIST,

Dying On The Cross

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Walk In The Light

Hello! and happy good mid-week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Wednesday:

THE GOOD NEWS (28 December 2016)

"We heard HIS message from HIM and announce it to you: GOD is light and there is no darkness in HIM.

If we say we are in fellowship with HIM, while we walk in darkness, we lie instead of being in truth.  But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we are in fellowship with one another, and the blood of JESUS, the Son of GOD, purifies us from all sin.

If we say, 'We have no sin,' we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, HE who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.

If we say that we do not sin, we make GOD a liar, HIS word is not in us.

My little children, I write to you that you may not sin.  But if anyone sins, we have an intercessor with the FATHER, JESUS CHRIST, the Just One.  HE is the sacrificial victim for our sins and the sins of the whole world." - 1 John 1:5-2:2 

(But if we walk in the light: this is the Christian life.

Over and beyond other truths which people discover, there is a light [an evidence or a presence] which is total Truth and which cannot be divided: one is or is not in the light.  It does not give knowledge directly, but affects the whole person  who acts, lives, and walks in the Light.  Those walking in faith discover this light and find themselves freed from many obstacles:

- the partial vision of one who is enthusiastic for a cause but ignores other issues that are equally important, of one who orders one part of his life but leaves in disorder other parts;

- the restlessness of one who does not have a goal and who silences his doubts by throwing himself into frantic activity;

- the sectarianism that prevents us from being "universal brothers and sisters."

Little by little faith opens for us a global vision of human reality.  The first criterion to know if we are walking in the light: have we given up sin?  John here denies what certain people say: "Since we are Christians, we are united to GOD and so the sins of the body are not important."

John declares that if we decide for GOD, we cannot continue to surrender to sin.  Obviously, no one is without sin, we all need the salvation of CHRIST; but forgiveness itself compels us even more to stay away from sin.

John invites us to confess our sins to GOD, that is to say, to admit humbly before GOD that we have sinned, but with confidence in HIS kindness.  If this attitude were not present, the sacrament of "confession" would be worthless.  On the other hand, confessing our sins in the sacrament of penance helps us keep our hearts open to GOD.

Second criterion for love of GOD: to obey the commandments that are summarized in love.  Do we perhaps pretend to know GOD and to believe?  If so, it must be measured by the love we have for others.

An old commandment, because it is the first one we learned in the Church; a new commandment, because the world must constantly, and in new ways, discover the power of love.)

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The WORD Who Is LIFE

Hello! and happy good Tuesday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (27 December 2016)

"This is what has been from the beginning, and what we have heard and have seen with our own eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, I mean the Word who is Life...

The Life made itself  known, we have seen Eternal Life and we bear witness, and we are telling you of it.  It was with the FATHER and made HIMSELF known to us.

So we tell you what we have seen and heard, that you may be in fellowship with us, and us, with the FATHER and with HIS Son, JESUS CHRIST.

And we write this that our joy may be complete." - 1 John 1:1-4 

Eternal Life With JESUS CHRIST In Heaven

(The Word: John will not speak about miracles, or revelations, or secrets jealously kept by some initiates.  The truth that he relates to us is both simpler and more divine than all this: GOD, the Eternal Life, has come to live with us.

Life became visible.  Do not look for miracles or miraculous powers.  Do not expect fantastic revelations about the beyond.  Life was revealed as the gift of the FATHER, the rebirth of a humanity without hope, the divine smile, the unexpected visit of the ONE seeking to share HIS life with humans [Proverbs 8:31].  We will not find life in mere books, but through communion with those who have seen and experienced it before us, and who became HIS Church.)

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The Witnesses

Hi! and happy good first day of the week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Monday:

THE GOOD NEWS (26 December 2016)

"Look, I send you out like sheep among wolves.  You must be clever as snakes and innocent as doves.  Be on your guard with respect to people, for they will hand you over to their courts and they will flog you in their synagogues.  You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings because of ME, and so you may witness to them and the pagans." - Matthew 10:16-18 

Stephen, The First Martyr, Stoned To Death

(We have just spoken of witnesses, and martyr in Greek means: witness.  Certain of these martyrs were before long glorified, but the majority remain unknown.  They have often been disfigured by calumny isolated even from the Christian community and later eliminated.  In certain cases entire Christian communities were massacred as in the time of the Roman empire.  Today in certain countries such atrocities continue without the media even mentioning it.  In many other cases, persons or Christian groups became martyrs that had assumed a risky position.  When Stephen was assassinated [Acts 7] the apostles were not pursued, and many may have taken Stephen to be a fanatic.  When the young Christian women of the Roman Empire were persecuted for having decided to remain virgins many said: Why do they flout their family duties?  When the Catholics of England, France or China refused to form national churches separated from communion with Rome, were they not rebelling against the laws of their nation?

Maybe we must recognize that martyrdom is a grace and is not given to everyone.  Many would be ready to give their life for CHRIST, but confronted with situations of violence or corruption, they do not see the necessity to expose a scandal and so submit in order to avoid the worst.  Others, on the contrary, understand that GOD is asking them to witness to the Good News that is opposite to what is imposed.  In so doing they face the repression by which Society defends itself.  Revelation affirms that the murder of witnesses advances Salvation History.) 

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Messengers Of A Victorious GOD

Hello! and happy natal day of our LORD, JESUS CHRIST, to all of us, GUYS.  Our first-thing-first this Sunday:

THE GOOD NEWS (25 December 2016)

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those

who bring good news,

who herald peace and happiness,

who proclaim salvation

and announce to Zion: 'Your GOD is king!'

Together your watchmen

raise their voices in praise and song;

they see YAHWEH face to face returning to Zion.

Break into shouts of joy,

O ruins of Jerusalem,

for YAHWEH consoles HIS people

and redeems Jerusalem.

YAHWEH has bared HIS holy arm

in the eyes of the nations;

all the ends of the earth, in alarm,

will witness GOD's salvation."

- Isaiah 52:7-10

(The prophets, messengers of a victorious GOD: that is the meaning of the good news.  See Romans 1:1; 2 Corinthians 2:14.)

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Zechariah's Canticle

Hello! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (24 December 2016)

"Zechariah, filled with holy spirit, sang this canticle,

'Blessed be the LORD GOD of Israel,

for HE has come and redeemed HIS people.

HE has raised up for us a victorious Savior

in the house of David HIS servant,

as HE promised through HIS prophets of old,

salvation from our enemies

and from the hand of our foes. 

HE has shown mercy to our fathers

and remembered HIS holy covenant,

the oath HE swore to Abraham, our father,

to deliver us from the enemy,

that we might serve HIM fearlessly

as a holy and righteous people

all the days of  our lives. 

And you, my child,

shall be called prophet of the Most High,

for you shall go before the LORD

to prepare the way for HIM

and enable HIS people to know of their salvation

when HE comes to forgive their sins.

This is the work of the mercy of our GOD,

who comes from on high as a rising sun

shining on those who live in  darkness

and in the shadow of death,

and guiding our feet into the way of peace.'"  

- Luke 1:67-79  

(Like the Song of Mary, also expresses the deepest feeling of the Christian soul.  There is a time for us to seek truth, to discover what our major duties are and to become truly and essentially human.  There is a time for asking from and serving GOD.  In the long run, we come to understand that divine love seeks out what is poorer and weaker to fill it and make it great.  Then our only prayer becomes thanksgiving to GOD for HIS understanding and merciful designs.) 

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I Send MY Messenger To Prepare The Way

Hello! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread' this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (23 December 2016)

"Now I AM sending MY messenger ahead of ME to clear the way; then suddenly the LORD for whom you long will enter the sanctuary.  The envoy of the covenant which you so greatly desire already comes, says YAHWEH of hosts.  Who can bear the day of HIS coming and remain standing when HE appears?  For HE will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching.

Remember the law of MY servant Moses, the laws and ordinances I gave him at Mount Horeb for the whole of Israel.  I AM going to send you the prophet Elijah before the day of YAHWEH comes, for it will be a great and terrible day.  He will reconcile parents with their children, and the children with their parents, so that I may not have to curse this land when I come." - Malachi 3:1-2, 4:22-24 

John The Baptist Is Elijah The Prophet

(To those complaining that GOD does not reveal HIS justice nor reward sufficiently those who serve HIM, Malachi responds by declaring that the LORD will come soon.  He announces the coming of a messenger of GOD who will be responsible for preparing the way for HIM, and that will be the sign of HIS coming soon.

Paragraphs 3:1-2 and 4:22-24 complement each other, and point to John the Baptist.) 

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As Long As He Lives, He Belongs To YAHWEH

Hi! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (22 December 2016)

"When the child was weaned, Hannah took him with her along with a three-year-old bull, a measure of flour and a flask of wine, and she brought him to YAHWEH's house at Shiloh.  The child was still young.

After they had slain the bull, they brought the child to Eli.  Hannah exclaimed, 'Oh, my Lord, look!  I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to YAHWEH.  I asked for this child and YAHWEH granted me the favor I begged of HIM.  Now, I think, YAHWEH is asking for this child.  As long as he lives, he belongs to YAHWEH.'

And they worshipped YAHWEH there." - 1 Samuel 1:24-28

Old Tabernacle At Shiloh, Israel

(The text depicts for us the religious life of those days.  The campaign tent which shelters the ark is at Shiloh.  There is no temple yet in Israel, so pilgrims bring their animals; and the father as head of the family and priest of his household sacrifices the victims.  Only after David's time will the priests of Levi's tribe be the exclusive intermediaries between YAHWEH and HIS people.)

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Love Is Strong As Death!

Hi! and happy good mid-week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Wednesday:

THE GOOD NEWS (21 December 2016)

"Set ME as a seal on your heart,

set ME as a seal on your arm.

For love is strong as death;

its jealousy lasting as the power of death,

it burns like a blazing fire,

it blazes like a mighty flame.

No flood can extinguish love

nor river submerge it.

If a man were to buy love

with all the wealth of his house

contempt is all he would purchase."

- Song Of Songs 8:6-7

(Love is strong as death... The Song ends with the promise of the eternal union of the LORD with HIS people.  The love of the jealous GOD is strong, and strong also is the love that HE puts in the heart of HIS children: who will separate us from the love of CHRIST? [Romans 8:35]

Love - as it is here expressed whether divine or human is the same if it is sincere - is far removed from what our society knows.  The love of man and woman has been freed from the constraints of social life, and has overcome little by little the secular prejudices of masculine domination, thus becoming the privileged place for communication between persons, at the same time seen as an increased fear of "losing one's own life" in binding oneself totally to another person.  Many try to combine what is contradictory: a love that leads to the fullness of joy and the fullness of self, and a secret decision to break as soon as one sees the possibility of finding something better.

Here  the biblical text gives priority not to happiness but to love.  The Song is the will to know love at whatever cost, and the Gospel tells us the price.  Marriage will be restored in such a way: people marry to respond together to a call, and happiness here below will be a free gift in the way GOD wishes to give it.)

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YAHWEH, A Hidden GOD

Hello! and happy good Tuesday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (20 December 2016)

"Thus YAHWEH spoke to me when HIS hand grasped me and HE warned me not to walk in the way of these people:

'Do not speak of conspiracy whenever these people dread conspiracy; do not fear what they fear nor be in dread.  Only YAHWEH Sabaoth must you hold in veneration, only HIM must you fear, only HIM must you dread.

HE will be a sanctuary and at the same time a stumbling-stone, the rock that brings down, for both houses of Israel.  HE will be like trap and snare for the people of Jerusalem.  Many of them will stumble, many will fall and be broken, be trapped and captured.'

YAHWEH added: 'Bind this testimony and seal it in the midst of MY disciples.'

So I will wait for YAHWEH who hides HIS face from the people of Jacob.  I will hope in HIM.  Here am I and the children HE has given me.  We are signs and portents in Israel from YAHWEH Sabaoth, who dwells on Mount Zion." - Isaiah 8:11-18 

(When HIS hand grasped me.  Isaiah is referring to one of those decisive encounters when GOD made him HIS prophet and he was under the wing of GOD's Spirit.

Do not speak of conspiracy!  GOD acts in HIS prophets and frees them from fear.  They are no longer paralyzed by the fears of the society in which they live.  They are able to see and to show new ways.

We are  signs in Israel.  Isaiah has concluded his interventions and they have not listened to him.  All he can do now is to wait in silence for the events to occur.  His two sons, to whom he gave symbolic names.  Quick to plunder-Booty-is-Close and A remnant-will-return remind everyone of his predictions.  The first of these names refers to the near future; the second, to the end of the crisis.

Only YAHWEH Sabaoth is holy: only HIM must you fear.  For Jerusalem, it is a privilege to have GOD in its midst.  Rather than being frightened by human dangers, the Jews should look to GOD and obey HIM.  In their midst, GOD is like the stone which hardly emerges from the ground but causes a fall for those who do not see it.  JESUS will appear as a stumbling stone [Matthew 21:44].

GOD hides HIS face from the people of Jacob.  Humanly speaking, the people of Jerusalem have good reasons for not following YAHWEH's command given through Isaiah, and GOD does not work a miracle to persuade them at that time.  GOD "hides" because faith relies on HIS word and does not demand miracles.)

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Samson's Birth Foretold

Hello! and happy good first day of the week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Monday:

THE GOOD NEWS (19 December 2016)

"There was  a man of Zorah of the tribe of Dan, called Manoah.  His wife could not bear children.  The Angel of YAHWEH appeared to this woman and said to her, 'You have not borne children and have not given birth, but see, you are to conceive and give birth to a son.  Because of this, take care not to take wine or any alcoholic drink, nor to eat unclean foods from now on, for you shall bear a son who shall be a Nazirite of YAHWEH from the womb of his mother.  Never shall his hair be cut for he is consecrated to YAHWEH.  He shall begin the liberation of the Israelites from the Philistine oppression." - Judges 13:2-5 

Samson, The Nazirite

(Samson seems to have been a man from the countryside who had extraordinary strength and fought on his own account against the Philistines.  Legend attributes to him numerous feats.

Samson is said to have been miraculously born of a barren couple.  This was in accordance with GOD's ways, as seen in the case of Abraham's son [Genesis 18], and in the case of Samuel [1 Samuel 1], and still later John the Baptist [Luke 1:5].

The child must be a Nazirite, i.e., consecrated to GOD, according to a very ancient rite in the Bible [Numbers 6:1].  The consecration to GOD is the source of his strength.)  

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An Apostle Called And Set Apart

Hello! and happy holy and family day to all of us, GUYS.  Our first-thing-first this Sunday:

THE GOOD NEWS (18 December 2016)

"From Paul, a servant of JESUS CHRIST, an apostle called and set apart for GOD's Good News, the very promises HE foretold through HIS prophets in the sacred Scriptures, regarding HIS Son, who was born in the flesh a descendant of David, and has been recognized as the Son of GOD endowed with Power, upon rising from the dead through the Holy Spirit.

Through HIM, JESUS CHRIST, our LORD, and for the sake of HIS Name, we received grace and mission in all the nations, for them to accept the faith.  All of you, the elected  of CHRIST, are part of them, you, the beloved of GOD in Rome, called to be holy: May GOD our FATHER, and the LORD JESUS CHRIST, give you grace and peace." - Romans 1:1-7 

Paul, The Apostle Called And Set Apart

(Paul speaks of the Gospel three times in this paragraph.  In his time the word Gospel, which signifies Good News, conveyed the meaning of victory.  Paul presents himself as one announcing the liberating message given to all humankind.

What is Paul's Gospel?  He develops it briefly in the following lines.  The Son of GOD has come down to earth and after sharing our common condition, has through HIS Resurrection, taken possession of the Glory due to HIM.

An apostle called and set apart.  The twelve apostles were selected by JESUS and confirmed in their mission by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  Here Paul reminds us that he himself was made an apostle by JESUS, who met him on the road to Damascus.

Recognized as the Son of GOD.  Another possible translation: constituted, or designated as Son of GOD.  That does not mean that JESUS was not the Son of GOD before HIS resurrection, but HE was so really one of us that nothing of HIS divinity showed.  On the day of the resurrection, the Spirit of GOD "invaded" HIS human nature: from now on HE is present and active in our history as the Son of GOD.

Paul usually reserves the term "GOD" for GOD the FATHER, fountain of the divine being, from WHOM all divine initiatives originate.  The FATHER communicates HIS life to the Son.  The Son, for HIS part, reflects this life back to the FATHER in such a way that they mutually generate the Holy Spirit.  The whole vocation of a Christian is rooted in this life of GOD, and that is why Paul constantly mentions the names of the three divine Persons.) 

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JESUS Proclaims HIS Mission At Nazareth

Hi! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (17 December 2016)

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon ME.  HE has anointed ME to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and new sight to the blind; to free the oppressed and announce the LORD's year of mercy." - Luke 4:18-19 

JESUS Proclaiming HIS Mission

JESUS brings real liberation to everyone since HIS deeds urge each one of us to live in truth: "the Son makes you free... the truth will make you free..." [John 8:32].  The Jews, obviously, were looking first and foremost for political freedom, which is part of total human liberation.  Why did JESUS not bring it?  Was HE only interested in "souls"?

Actually the Old Testament never promised "the salvation of souls" which is sometimes emphasized these days in various groups.  Such believers think they are saving their souls and yet remain silent, or blind accomplices of the daily sins permeating all economic and social life.

In the same way a year of mercy from the LORD is beginning.  Thus the time of promises and prophecies is over.  GOD begins to show HIMSELF to humankind as HE is: JESUS reveals the FATHER and the FATHER reveals HIS Son through the signs and miracles that HE performs.)

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The Testimony

Hi! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (16 December 2016)

"John also bore witness to the truth when you sent messengers to him, but I do not seek such human testimony; I recall this for you, so that you may be saved.

John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were willing to enjoy his light.  But I have greater evidence than that of John - the works which the FATHER entrusted to ME to carry out.  The very works I do bear witness: the FATHER has sent ME. - John 5:33-36 

(To gain a direction in life, we need some understanding of the world and humankind.  This understanding may come through reason and science, but more often we are influenced and guided by the testimony of others - by their words, attitudes and personal qualities.

It is thus that those in love discover one another, friends accept each other, a career is decided upon, a religious or political commitment is made.  It is also thus that the Word of GOD is discovered.  Therefore, JESUS speaks of the testimonies that accredit HIM:

- HIS works, that is, HIS miracles.

- John the Baptist's testimony in pointing HIM out as the Savior.

- the words of the Bible that refer to HIM.)

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The Blessing Of Jacob

Hello! and happy good Thursday to all of us,  GUYS. Our "food for the soul" today:

 

THE GOOD NEWS (15 December 2016)

"Gather round, sons of Jacob.  And listen to your father Israel!

Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength and the first fruits of my manhood! excelling in honor and excelling in power.

Restless as water, you will excel no more for you went to your father's wife, on to my bed and defiled it.

Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence.  Let me not share their counsel!  Let my heart keep far from their company, for in anger they killed men, and hamstrung oxen at their pleasure.  A curse on their anger for it is fierce; a curse on their fury, so cruel!  I will divide them among Jacob, and scatter them among Israel.

Judah, your brothers will praise you!  You shall seize your enemies by the neck!  Your father's sons shall bow before you.  Judah, a young lion!  You return from the prey, my son!  Like a lion he stoops and crouches, and like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?  The scepter shall not be taken from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs, and who has the obedience of the nations." - Genesis 49:2-10 

Jacob Blessing His Sons

(Jacob's blessings do not go to his sons but to the twelve tribes bearing their names.  The future destiny of these tribes will vary greatly.  Jacob's blessing is a way of saying that these destinies were known to GOD beforehand and that they were part of HIS plan of salvation which benefits everyone, but does not give the same gift to everyone.

The two tribes of Judah and Joseph dominate.  This ancient prophecy seems to say that Judah would live apart from others until the coming of "the one the people would obey."  This text, however, has been corrupted and is doubtful.

Did they wish only to celebrate the coming of King David, or was it the announcement of a great destiny for the kingdom of Judah, or was it the expectation of a savior-king?  Actually the kings of the people of GOD and JESUS after them were to come from this tribe.  Judah here is considered as the heir of the promises made to Abraham and Jacob.)

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Those Who Doubt

Hello! and happy good mid-week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Wednesday:

THE GOOD NEWS (14 December 2016)

"The disciples of John gave him all this news.  So he called two of them and sent them to the LORD with this message, 'Are YOU the one we are expecting, or should we wait for another?'  These men came to JESUS and said, 'John the Baptist sent us to ask YOU: Are YOU the one we are to expect, or should we wait for another?'

At that time JESUS healed many people of their sicknesses or diseases; HE freed them from evil spirits and HE gave sight to the blind.  Then HE answered the messengers, 'Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor are given good news.  Now, listen: Fortunate are those who encounter ME, but not for their downfall.'"- Luke 7:18-23but

"Fortunate are those who encounter ME, but not for their downfall."

(The situation has been reversed.  John appeared as a great prophet, while JESUS began preaching in John's wake but without the same impact.  Now John is in prison and JESUS is known as a healer.  Has John doubts in prison?  It is possible even if he had told some of his followers that JESUS would take his place.  It might be more accurate to interpret his question as a pressing invitation: "If YOU are the one WHO IS to come, why so much delay?"

John's disciples did witness the cures, but the cures are not everything and JESUS adds: the poor hear good news because real evangelization restores hope and leaves people renewed.

The blind see, the lame walk... The prophets foretold these signs [Isaiah 35:5] that were really something new, because in the past GOD usually manifested HIMSELF as a powerful savior.  These healings pointed to the liberation that JESUS was bringing: not punishment of sinners [which was a great part of John the Baptist's preaching] but, before all else, reconciliation suited to healing a world of sinners, of violent and resentful people.

Fortunate are those who encounter ME, but not for their downfall.  And fortunate are those who do not doubt CHRIST's salvation after seeing the fruits of evangelization.  Fortunate are those who do not say: this way is too slow.  The Gospel shows its richness in giving life to people, in restoring hope to those who have experienced weakness and sin.  It is necessary to have seen and understood that this is most important.

It does not matter if the world seems to continue to surrender to the force of evil.  The presence of liberated people compels others to define themselves in terms of good and evil and this makes the world grow.

With this, JESUS answers the disciples of John, men who are self-sacrificing and concerned for the triumph of GOD's cause.  Perhaps they are so absorbed in their search for justice that they fail to recognize GOD's powerful working in JESUS actions, which appeared so gentle and mild.)

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GOD In The Midst Of The Meek

Hi! and happy good Tuesday to all of us, GUYS.   Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (13 November 2016)

"On that day you will no longer be ashamed of all your deeds when you were unfaithful to ME; I will have removed from your midst the conceited and arrogant and MY holy mountain will no longer be for you a pretext for boasting.

I will leave within you a poor and meek people who seek refuge in GOD.  The remnant of Israel will not act unjustly nor will they speak falsely, nor will deceitful words be found in their mouths.  They will eat and rest with none to threaten them." - Zephaniah 3:11-13

(This is the first vision of GOD's people, a poor and meek people.

The destruction on the Day of YAHWEH has left a Remnant in Zion.  This is the first time that those who wait for GOD are called poor.  It is not merely a question of being economically poor, but rather of having the attitude of those who have nothing and are open to receive everything from GOD.  The word poverty formerly implied failure; now it will be the condition needed to seek GOD.   After that time, the "poor of YAHWEH" will mean all those in Israel who hope to find YAHWEH.  The Gospel, especially the Gospel of Luke, will proclaim the happiness of the poor [see Luke 6:20].

YAHWEH will be in Jerusalem to share HIS happiness with them.  The Holy GOD suddenly shows that HE is like a young man in love who is not concerned about social considerations.)

The Poor And Meek People Of Israel

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By What Authority DoYou Act?

Hi! and happy good first day of the week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Monday:

THE GOOD NEWS (12 December 2016)

"JESUS had entered the temple and was teaching, when the chief priests, the teachers of the Law and the Jewish authorities came to HIM, and asked, 'What authority have you to act like this?  Who gave you authority to do all this?

JESUS answered them, 'I will also ask you one question.  If you answer ME then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.'  Where did John's baptism come from?  From heaven or from people?

They discussed this among themselves, saying, 'If we say, 'From heaven,'  HE will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?  And if we say, 'The baptism of John was merely something human', we've got to beware of the people, for all consider John to be a prophet.'  So they answered JESUS, 'We do not know.'

And JESUS said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." - Matthew 21:32-27

Pharisees Question The Authority Of JESUS

(JESUS is what we would call today a simple layman.  HE respects the priests of the people of GOD and their high priest.  HE shows however that if they want others to be accountable, for their part they must be ready to take a stand on the things of GOD when the people need this.  They had been and were unwilling to give such a response in the case of John the Baptist.)

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"What Are We To Do?"

Hello! and happy holy and family day to all of us, GUYS. Our first-thing-first this Sunday:

THE GOOD NEWS (11 December 2016)

"The people asked him, 'What are we to do?'  And John answered, 'If you have two coats, give one to the person who has none; and if you have food, do the same.'

Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and asked him, 'Master, what must we do?  John said to them, 'Collect no more than your fixed rate.'  Then some soldiers asked John, 'What about us?  What are we to do?'  And he answered, 'Don't take anything by force, or threaten the people by denouncing them falsely.  Be content with your pay.'" - Luke 3:10-14 

(So we see John preaching without having asked anything of the religious authorities.  People come from all directions searching for pardon.  The texts tell us that John turned no one way; neither the prostitutes nor the collectors of Roman taxes.  He does ask of all a commitment of solidarity.  Once corruption has taken over and the vision of GOD's Alliance has faded away, those who recognize their part in the evil affecting the whole of society must make positive gestures regarding money and the enjoyment of it, which will be for all a sign and a call to conversion.  Such signs should increase in Christian communities today and in the groups seeking to purify our society.

It is that which gives meaning to the total renunciation of John and his appalling austerity; in no way are we all asked to imitate him, but his sacrifices give weight to his words.  The religious leaders and the Pharisees who see themselves as models keep away even sneering perhaps, but the people come to John asking for baptism.)

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A Call To The Daughter Of Zion

Hi! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (10 December 2016)

"'Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for I AM about to come, I shall dwell among you,' says YAHWEH.

On that day, many nations will join YAHWEH and be MY people, but my dwelling is among you.  The people of Judah will be for YAHWEH as HIS portion in HIS holy land.  HE will choose Jerusalem again.

Keep still in YAHWEH's  presence, for HE comes, having risen from HIS holy dwelling." - Zechariah 2:14-17 

The Daughter Of Zion (The People Of GOD) Rejoicing

(In the following we have one of the two calls to the captives: a call to rejoicing because GOD lives with HIS people.  We now have more motives for rejoicing.  In the Bible the expression Daughter of Zion is one of the many names for the People Of GOD.

Zechariah foretells the new times when he says that GOD will be permanently at work in Zion, figure of the Church in which all people of the earth will gather together.)

The People Of GOD (The Church)

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