Childlike Trust In GOD

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

THE GOOD NEWS (31 October 2016)

"O LORD, my heart is not proud

nor do I have arrogant eyes.

I am not engrossed in ambitious matters,

nor in things too great for me.

I have quieted and stilled my soul

like a weaned child on its mother's lap;

like a contended child is my soul.

Hope in the LORD, O Israel,

now and forever.

- Psalm 131:1-3

(A simple and humble prayer full of trust, which reminds us of the serenity of a child in its mother's arms.  Is not this what JESUS praised and is GOD less mother than father?)

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How GOD Corrects HIS Children

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

THE GOOD NEWS (30 October 2016)

"For the entire world lies before YOU, just enough to tip the scales, a drop of morning dew falling on the ground.

But because YOU are almighty, YOU are  merciful to all; YOU overlook sins and give YOUR children time to repent.  YOU love everything that exists and hate nothing that YOU have made; had YOU hated anything, YOU would not have formed it.

How could anything endure if YOU did not will it?  And how could anything last that YOU had not willed?  YOU have compassion on all because all is YOURS, O LORD, lover of life.

In fact YOUR immortal spirit is in all.  And so by degrees YOU correct those who sin,  YOU admonish them, reminding them how they have strayed so that turning away from evil they may trust in YOU, LORD." - Wisdom 11:22-12:2 

(YOU ordered all with measure, number and weight.  Because GOD's power is absolute, it is never a manifestation of violence; beauty, harmony and goodness are never lacking in all that comes from GOD.

The passage from 11:5 to 15:19 is a long parenthesis contrasting GOD's ways, as a friend and master of humans with the foolishness in the worship of idols.)

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CHRIST Is My Life

Hello! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (29 October 2016)

"But in any case, whether they are sincere or showing off, CHRIST is proclaimed and because of this I rejoice and have no regrets.

I know that all this will be a grace for me because of your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of CHRIST.  I am hopeful, even certain, that I shall not be ashamed.  I feel as assured now, as before, that CHRIST will be exalted through my person, whether I live or die.

For to me, living is CHRIST, and dying is gain.  But if I am to go on living, I shall be able to enjoy fruitful labor.  Which shall I choose?  So I feel torn between the two.  I desire greatly to leave this life and to be with CHRIST, which will be better by far, but it is necessary for you that I remain in this life.  And because I am convinced of this, I know that I will stay and remain with you for your progress and happiness in the faith.  I will surely come to you again, and give you more reason for being proud of belonging to CHRIST JESUS." - Philippians 1:18-26 

Apostle Paul Preaching

(Paul is not only persecuted by the Jews: even in the Church "false brothers," delighted he is in prison, see in this situation the possibility of increasing their own importance.  The problem is one for all times: the great names of the apostolate have spent half of their energy in limiting the harm caused by rivals or by powerful groups in the Church.  Paul, however, is gifted with wisdom: he sees that even if many do for personal interest what they believe they are doing for GOD, he knows how to turn it to account.

Remains  Of Apostle Paul's Prison Cell

In Philippi

I am hopeful, even certain, that I shall not be ashamed.  Paul's concern is that his trial and his appearances should serve to reveal CHRIST's message to the authorities.

CHRIST is my life.  It is quite trendy to say that Christians should "understand the word" and be "fully human."  This is true in a certain way, but it does not say everything.  GOD's love increases in us through the gift of ourselves to persons and to tasks that HE entrusts to us, but as the love of GOD grows, the desire of CHRIST and eternity takes root with it: this desire makes us like strangers in the world.

Paul would like to see his friends but not for that will he linger over fraternal meals in which his friends would try to provide him with a warm atmosphere.  His deep desire is for what he still lacks: to meet CHRIST in HIS glory [see 2 Corinthians 4:16 and Philippians 3:10].

I desire greatly to leave this life and to be with CHRIST.  Thus, those who say that a person ceases to exist at the time of death and only recovers life in the resurrection at the end of times are wrong.  See 2 Corinthians 5:8 also.)

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You Are Of The Household Of GOD

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

THE GOOD NEWS (28 October 2016)

"Now you are no longer strangers or guests, but fellow citizens of the holy people: you are of the household of GOD.  You are the house whose foundations are the apostles and prophets, and whose cornerstone is CHRIST JESUS.  In HIM the whole structure is joined together and rises to be a holy temple in the LORD.  In HIM you too are being built to become the spiritual sanctuary of GOD." - Ephesians 2:19-22 

(You are of the household of GOD.  In Biblical language this means: to belong to GOD's family.  From there, Paul moves on to another image: you are the household, namely, the true temple of GOD.  The community of believers form the temple, or better, is being transformed into the temple of GOD.

The imposing vision of the Church and our unity in the Church will perhaps astonish many Christians today who are usually more aware of their responsibilities towards the world than towards our antiquated Church.  Yet, of what Spirit shall we be bearers, and shall we do this work if we are not supported by a community?  Solidarity with those who share our options and our culture cannot replace participation in the Christian community.  There are probably many things in the Christian community we are not happy with.  However, it would be a bad sign if we were unable to recognize in it the truth that is missing in our non-Christian friends, and without which we would lose our reason for living.)

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"Blessed Is HE Who Comes In The Name Of The LORD."

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

THE GOOD NEWS (27 October 2016)

"At that time some Pharisees came to JESUS and gave HIM this warning, 'Leave this place and go on YOUR way, for Herod wants to kill YOU.'  JESUS said to them, 'Go and give that fox MY answer: 'I drive out demons and heal today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish MY course!'  Nevertheless, I must go on MY way today and tomorrow and for a little longer, for it would not be fitting for a prophet to be killed outside Jerusalem.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you slay the prophets and stone your apostles!  How often I have tried to bring together your children, as a bird gathers her young under her wings, but you refused!  From now on you will be left with your temple and you will no longer see ME until the time when you will say: Blessed is HE who comes in the name of the LORD.'" - Luke 13:31-35 

(For Luke, disciple of Paul, it is certitude: the day will come when Israel will recognize CHRIST [see Romans 11:25-32].  For JESUS has come to save Israel, which means to give sense to its history.  It will then, doubtless be the end of all other histories.) 

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Children, Parents, Servants And Masters

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

THE GOOD NEWS (26 October 2016)

"Children, obey your parents for this is right: Honor your father and your mother.  And this is the first commandment that  has promise: that you may be happy and enjoy long life in the land.  And you, fathers, do not make rebels of your children, but educate them by correction and instruction which the LORD may inspire.

Servants, obey your masters of this world with fear and respect, with simplicity of heart, as if obeying CHRIST.  Do not serve only when you are watched or in order to please others, but become servants of CHRIST who do GOD's will with all your heart.  Work willingly, for the LORD and not for humans, mindful that the good each one has done, whether servant or free, will be rewarded by the LORD.

And you, masters, deal with your servants in the same way, and do not threaten them, since you know that they and you have the same LORD who is in heaven, and HE treats all fairly." - Ephesians 6:1-9 

(Paul reminds children that GOD asks for obedience, and parents that they must not neglect their duty as educators.  Parents have the difficult task of leading their children to true freedom, teaching them first to obey a law, to serve rather than be served, to share rather than demand.  Later, they will show them how to follow the calls of the Spirit, well beyond what is considered good or bad all around them.

Paul reminds the slave of his nobility.  Let him live without servility: this is the first step toward genuine liberation.)  

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HE Gave HIMSELF Up For HER

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

THE GOOD NEWS (25 October 2016)

"As for you, husbands, love your wives as CHRIST loved the Church and gave HIMSELF up for her.  HE washed her and made her holy by baptism in the Word.  As HE wanted a radiant Church without stain or wrinkle or any blemish, but holy and blameless, HE HIMSELF had to prepare and present her to HIMSELF.

In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they love their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  And no one has ever hated his body; he feeds and takes care of it.  That is just what CHRIST does for the Church, because we are members of HIS body.

Scripture says: Because of this a man shall leave his father and mother to be united with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  This is a very great mystery, and I refer to CHRIST and the Church.  As for you, let each one love his wife as himself, and let the wife respect her husband." - Ephesians 5:25-33

GOD's Faithfulness

(HE gave HIMSELF up for her.  CHRIST finds us in our sins and HE takes charge of us, even to the ultimate consequences: HE gives HIS life to purify us.  This is the way to show the main quality of Christian love, which is faithfulness.  The self-gift of the spouse is permanent and from that moment on, each will do his best to save the other, that is, to help the other grow and be better.  The perfect couple is not the one that lives without problems and accepts mediocrity, but the two who compel each other to give their best.

HE washed her by the baptism in the Word [see James 1:18-21 and John 15:3].  If the ritual of baptism is important, what is even more important is for us to welcome the Word of GOD that gives us life.

Many young people flee marriage, partly because they fear a risk [total fidelity is indeed a way of losing one's life: Mark 8:35], partly because they consider that their love is their own business.  Paul shows that CHRIST's love for us, however personal it may be, never forgets HIS love for all those who make up HIS body.  It is an example: married Christians are invited to have their place in the transformation of the world through the radiation of their love and their service to others.)

"The self-gift of the spouse is permanent."

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Do Not Sadden The Holy Spirit!

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

THE GOOD NEWS (24 October 2016)

"Do not sadden the Holy Spirit of GOD which you were marked with.  It will be your distinctive mark on the day of salvation.  Do away with all quarreling, rage, anger, insults and every kind of malice: be good and understanding, mutually forgiving one another as GOD forgave you in CHRIST." - Ephesians 4:30-32 

(Do not sadden the Holy Spirit.  It is easy to understand this expression if we think of the sadness we feel each time we reject a good idea, a desire to do better: sadness of the "Holy Spirit" who suggested it in the first place, sadness of our spirit, for it knows what we have lost.) 

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"O GOD, Be Merciful To Me, A Sinner."

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

THE GOOD NEWS (23 October 2016)

The Evil Done By Our Enemies Is Not Worse Than The Evil We Do!

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

THE GOOD NEWS (22 October 2016)

"One day some persons told JESUS what had occurred in the Temple: Pilate had Galileans killed and their blood mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.  JESUS replied, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this?  I tell you: no.  But unless you change your ways, you will all perish as they did.

And those eighteen persons in Siloah who were crushed when the tower fell, do you think they were more guilty than all the others in Jerusalem?  I tell you: no.  But unless you change your ways, you will all perish as they did.'" - Luke 13:1-5 

"Faith Works Through The Spirit Of Forgiveness"

(They told JESUS ... about an uprising of Galileans in the temple court and the immediate intervention of the Roman guard stationed at a nearby fortress.  They profaned the holy grounds strictly reserved for the Jews and shed blood in the Holy Place.

Those relating the story expect that JESUS will answer in a way expressing HIS national and religious indignation over the killing of HIS compatriots and the offense against GOD.  JESUS does not choose to focus on these issues: as usual HE shows that people are more absorbed in human rather than divine causes and HE calls their attention to what counts: those Galilean patriots were violent men, just like the Roman soldiers who killed them.  Right then, GOD was calling everyone to a conversion on which their survival depended.  In such a violent atmosphere there was no way out for the dominated Jewish people except through faith, because faith works through the spirit of forgiveness.) 

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You Superficial People!

Hi! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (21 October 2016)

"JESUS said to the crowds, 'When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.'  And so it happens.  And when the wind blows from the south, you say: 'It will be hot;'  and so it is.  You superficial people!  You understand the signs of the earth and the sky, but you don't understand the present times.  And why do you not judge for yourselves what is fit?  When you go with your accuser before the court, try to settle the case on the way, lest he drag you before the judge and the judge deliver you to the jailer, and the jailer throw you in prison.  I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny." - Luke 12:54-59 

(When you see a cloud.  The signs which are seen around JESUS are enough for everyone to understand that now is the time announced by the prophets, when people must be converted and Israel must acknowledge its Savior: tomorrow will be too late.

When you go with your accuser before the court.  In Matthew's Gospel this refers to reconciliation between brothers and sisters.  Luke, instead, uses this phrase in reference to our conversion.  We are on our way to GOD's judgment and it is the same as going before the authorities; therefore we must take advantage of the time given to us to straighten out our situation.  We must not waste this moment when we can be saved from Judgment by believing in CHRIST's message.)

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"I Carry The Heart Of My GOD And The GOD Of My Heart Everywhere."

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

THE GOOD NEWS (20 October 2016)

"And now I kneel in the presence of the FATHER from whom every family in heaven and on earth has received its name.

May HE strengthen in you the inner self through HIS Spirit, according to the riches of HIS glory;

may CHRIST dwell in your hearts through faith;

may you be rooted and founded in love.

All of this so that you may understand with all the holy ones the width, the length, the height and the depth - in a word, that you may know the love of CHRIST that surpasses all knowledge, that you may be filled and reach the fullness of GOD.

Glory to GOD who shows HIS power in us and can do much more than we could ask or imagine; glory to HIM in the Church and in CHRIST JESUS through all generations for ever and ever.  Amen." - Ephesians 3:14-21  

(And now I kneel... without further delay, Paul moves from his presentation to prayer.  Such is the way of the interior person who is not satisfied with thinking about GOD or talking about HIM as if HE were an object.  The Spirit preserves in him the awareness of this Presence that gives him life.  As St. Teresa said: 'I carry  the heart of my GOD and the GOD of my heart everywhere.'

The FATHER from whom every family in heaven and on earth has received its name.  Our time has greatly devalued "the FATHER" with the obsession of an authority that would smother the personality of its children.  This is not Paul's way: he marvels before the One who alone is from all eternity.  The FATHER is the source of the divine being, from HIM comes the order and the mystery of the divine persons.  From HIM the universe draws its riches.  Paul, speaking of the common destiny of all peoples, recalls that each one of them, every family, has received its name from the FATHER, which means its identity and its dignity.

Certainly we must recognize that the word FATHER no longer has the same meaning as in Paul's time, when father was given a greater authority and respect.  Once woman found her rightful place in the family and in society we are inclined to speak of  "parents" rather than of "father."  Yet it is not by chance that GOD revealed HIMSELF in a culture - that of the Hebrews - where GOD was a masculine figure.  Indeed they had already passed the primitive culture in which the woman was the center of family and the religion subsequently gave highest place to a female divinity.  Among the neighboring peoples gods and goddesses went together.  So GOD could have revealed to them with diverse faces, but this HE did not do.  Even if the Bible states that in GOD are all the riches of paternal and maternal love [Isaiah 49:14], it keeps to the word FATHER.  In so doing it insists on the liberty and initiative of GOD in all that HE does: the universe and we ourselves have not come from GOD as a spontaneous "emanation," as naturally born from the bosom of all-powerful divinity.  Everything was a lucid and creative decision.

Therefore, the family, with parental authority, is the basis of society, and fatherhood is also seen in the Church: the succession of bishops, with the authority of the hierarchy not dependent on people's votes, is part of the divine order in the Church.  A society which does not acknowledge fathers and which scorns marriage, as well as "spontaneous" churches, are devious structures.

The love of CHRIST that surpasses all knowledge.  Paul is certainly thinking of the love CHRIST has shown and continues to show him personally even in proportion to his trials.  The knowledge and experience of this love surpasses all that could ever be imagined.  We shall not find it through books and study or transcendental meditation.  It will be freely given to us, on GOD's initiative, on the way of love which CHRIST made HIMSELF the model of the center.)  

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The Son Of Man Will Come Like A Thief

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

THE GOOD NEWS (19 October 2016)

"Pay attention to this: If the master of the house had known at what time the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into.  You also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.

Peter said, 'LORD, did YOU tell this parable only for us, or for everyone?'  And the LORD replied, 'Imagine, then, the wise and faithful steward whom the master sets over his other servants to give them food rations at the proper time.  Fortunate is this servant if his master on coming home finds him doing his work.  Truly, I say to you, the master will put him in charge of all his property.

But it may be that the steward thinks: 'My Lord delays in coming,' and he begins to abuse the menservants and the servant girls, eating and drinking and getting drunk.  Then the master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he doesn't know.  He will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

The servant who knew his master's will, but did not prepare to do what his master wanted, will be punished with sound blows; but the one who did what deserved a punishment without knowing it shall receive fewer blows.  Much will be required of the one who has been given much, and more will be asked of the one entrusted with more." - Luke 12:39-48 

(The Son of Man will come like a thief.  We should not think that this refers only to the day of death, nor should we be afraid of GOD's judgment if we live in HIS grace.  JESUS tells us about the master returning from the wedding, who is so happy that he reverses the usual order and begins to serve his servants.  If we have been serving GOD for years, how could we not reach another phase of spiritual life in which it would seem that GOD is concerned only in giving and feasting with us?

Peter said to HIM.  This new paragraph is aimed at those who hold responsible positions in the Church.

My Lord delays in coming.  Those in responsible positions may betray their mission.  More often, they make the mistake of seeing only to the good functioning of the institution and they forget that CHRIST is coming.

GOD comes all the time through events that, unexpectedly, ruin our plans.  Therefore, the Church must not rely too much on planning its activity: who knows what GOD has in store for us tomorrow?

Instead the Church should see to its prayer and its availability so that the LORD will let her be in the best situation when HE shakes up our little universe.

Be awake to admire, rejoice in and discover the presence of GOD and HIS blessings that enlighten our lives.) 

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So I Was Rescued From The Lion's Mouth

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

THE GOOD NEWS (18 October 2016)

"Do your best to come to me quickly.  You must know that Demas has deserted me for the love of this world: he returned to Thessalonica.  Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia.  Only Luke remains with me.  Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is a useful helper in my work.  I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

Bring with you the cloak I left at Troas, in Carpos' house and also the scrolls, especially the parchments.  Alexander the metalworker has caused me great harm.  The LORD will repay him for what he has done.  Distrust him for he has been very much opposed to our preaching.

At my first hearing in court no one supported me; all deserted me.  May the LORD not hold it against them.  But the LORD was at my side, giving me strength to proclaim the Word fully, and let all the pagans hear it.  So I was rescued from the lion's mouth." - 2 Timothy 4:9-17 

Apostle Paul In Prison

(Preach the Word: this is Paul's last advice.  It must be the first concern of the Church and of any church leader.

Paul knows that he will not be freed and that he will be condemned to death.  He embraces his own sacrifice just as JESUS did.)

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By Grace You Have Been Saved!

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

THE GOOD NEWS (17 October 2016)

"You were dead through the faults and sins.  Once you lived through them according to this world and followed the Sovereign Ruler who reigns between heaven and earth and who goes on working in those who resist the faith.  All of us belonged to them at one time and we followed human greed; we obeyed the urges of our human nature and consented to its desires.  By ourselves, we went straight to the judgment like the rest of humankind.

But GOD, who is rich in mercy, revealed HIS immense love.  As we were dead through our sins, HE gave us life with CHRIST.  By grace you have been saved!  And HE raised us to life with CHRIST, giving us a place with HIM in heaven.

In showing us such kindness in CHRIST JESUS, GOD willed to reveal and unfold in the coming ages the extraordinary riches of HIS grace.  By the grace of GOD you have been saved through faith. This has not come from you: it is GOD's gift.  This was not the result of your works, so you are not to feel proud.  What we are is GOD's work.  HE has created us in CHRIST JESUS for the good works HE has prepared that we should devote ourselves to THEM." - Ephesians 2:1-10 

(The path of humans without CHRIST leads to death.

We obeyed the urges of our human nature and consented to its desires.  There is no need to seek a clearer affirmation of what we call original sin.  Paul does not speak of a fault committed before our personal sins, and in addition to the sins we are responsible for.  It is a flaw easily seen in human condition and in all our acts; it is the liabilities of our life insofar as GOD has not taken us in hand.

The account of Genesis [Chapters 2-3] has placed in the past this "original" sin, as well as creation.  It is a way of speaking proper to Hebrew culture.  In fact both our creation by GOD and our revolt against HIM are a part of our daily reality.

HE raised us to life with CHRIST.  Actually an authentic conversion is experienced as a resurrection.  Paul is saying more: nothing can stop GOD's merciful plan.  HE sees beyond time and has already raised us with CHRIST.  We are seated with HIM in heaven, that is to say, assured of victory.)  

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GOD Will Not Fail You

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

THE GOOD NEWS (16 October 2016)

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains -

from where shall come my help?

My help comes from the LORD,

maker of heaven and earth.

Will HE not let your foot slip,

the one watching over you?

Will HE not slumber?

No, the guardian of Israel

neither slumbers nor sleeps.

The LORD is your guardian, the LORD is at your

side and you in HIS shade;

Sunstroke will not be for you by day,

nor the spell of the moon by night.

The LORD guards you from every evil;

HE will protect your life.

The LORD watches over your coming and going

both now and forever."

- Psalm 121:1-8

(On the way to Jerusalem the pilgrims think about the hardship of the journey, the difficulty of the road, the heat of the day, the risk of brigands.  They know GOD is with them and that HE protects them.

GOD is faithful, HE watches by day and by night.  On the road to Emmaus, JESUS accompanies them but they do not recognize HIM.

"If GOD is with us, who could be against us?"

Prayer for the beginning of a difficult task: a conversion, a vocation, the beginning of a family, risks taken for the good of all.)   

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Whoever Slanders The Holy Spirit Will Never Be Forgiven!

Hello! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (15 October 2016)

"I tell you, whoever acknowledges ME before people, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of GOD.  But the one who denies ME before others will be denied before the angels of GOD.

There will be pardon for the one who criticizes the Son of Man, but there will be no pardon for the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.

When you are brought before the synagogues, governors and rulers, don't worry about how you will defend yourself or what to say.  For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you have to say." - Luke 12:8-12  

(Everyone who criticizes the Son of Man.  "And the one who speaks against the Son of Man will be forgiven" [Matthew 12:32].

Whereas the Old Testament punished blasphemous words with death in order to save GOD's honor and avoid HIS anger towards the community, the GOD whom JESUS knows is aware of how far human stupidity can go and does not feel offended by so many ridiculous or blasphemous words habitually used in our society: HE does not  defend HIMSELF as do the important people of this world.

JESUS allows HIMSELF to be criticized by those who do not understand HIM.  Many Pharisees of good faith did not understand JESUS and were scandalized by HIM.  This was excusable, but it is a different thing to call evil that which is clearly good.

To slander [or: to blaspheme] the Holy Spirit is to attribute to a bad spirit a work that is manifestly good.  Those who systematically attribute bad intentions to good work done by others, by the Church, by other parties, sin against the Holy Spirit.  The one who recognizes the truth but not GOD is better off than the one who says he believes in GOD but does not recognize the truth.) 

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Nothing Is Hidden That Will Not Be Made Known!

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

THE GOOD NEWS (14 October 2016)

"Meanwhile, such a numerous crowd had gathered that they crushed one another.  Then JESUS spoke to HIS disciples in this way,

'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy.  Nothing is covered that will not be uncovered, or hidden that will not be made known.  Whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in daylight,  and what you have whispered in hidden places, will be proclaimed from the housetops.

I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who put to death the body and after that can do no more.  But I will tell you whom to fear: Fear the One who after killing you is able to throw you into hell.  This one you must fear.  Don't you get five sparrows for two pennies?  Yet no one of them has been forgotten by GOD.  Even the hairs of your head have been numbered.  So do not fear: are you not worth more than a flock of sparrows?" - Luke 12:1-7 

(Nothing is hidden that will not be made known: this could be interpreted in different ways.  In these paragraphs, JESUS refers to the courageous testimony of faith.  We have to speak the truth without worrying about what people will think of us.  Here hypocrisy is attributed to those who are always trying to be diplomatic, and whose primary concern is not to lose friends.

Do not fear.  We are cowards and JESUS is aware of this.  HE has already said, "Do not fear," when HE invited us not to look for security in money.  Now, dealing with the fear of repression, HE adds, "If you cannot free yourselves from cowardice, consider where the greater threat comes from, from GOD or people?"

This is the only time JESUS refers to "fear of GOD."  When the Old Testament mentioned fear of GOD, it generally meant giving due respect to GOD.  Respect is far from fear.  Respect is an attitude proper to a free person.  GOD does not threaten to throw us into hell; rather HE reminds us that to lose HIM is to lose ourselves also, and this is hell.)

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"You Yourselves Have Not Entered, And You Prevented Others From Entering."

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

THE GOOD NEWS (13 October 2016)

"A curse is in you, for you build memorials to the prophets your ancestors killed.  So you approve and agree with what your ancestors did.  Is it not so?  They got rid of the prophets, and now you can build!

(The Wisdom of GOD also said,) 'I will send prophets and apostles and this people will kill and persecute some of them.  But the present generation will have to answer for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, the people of this time will have to answer for them all.

A curse is on you, teachers of the Law, for you have taken the key of knowledge.  You yourselves have not entered, and you prevented others from entering.'

As JESUS left that place, the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to harass HIM, asking HIM endless questions, setting traps to catch HIM in something HE might say." - Luke 11:47-54 

JESUS With The Teachers Of The Law (Scribes) And The Pharisees

(Those who, before Luke, wrote down this saying of JESUS: I will send prophets... [which we also read in Matthew 23:34], introduced it with the formula: "Wisdom says," which was a way of designating JESUS.  When Luke placed these lines within JESUS' discourse, he forgot to take out these words.  Removing them would have made the text a lot clearer.

JESUS states that the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law will be mainly responsible for the persecution against the first Christians [against those apostles and prophets HE is going to send].

The warning of JESUS is equally relevant for Christian institutions and all those who in one way or another guide the community.  We too, perhaps, build a church for the "elite" who unconsciously despise the poor and the lowly.  So very quickly were the prophets paralyzed or eliminated.

You yourselves have not entered, and you prevented others from entering.  Is not this one of the reasons why so many simple people go to other churches?)

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Fruits Of The Spirit

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

THE GOOD NEWS (12 October 2016)

"But when you are led by the Spirit you are not under the Law.

You know what comes from the flesh: fornication, impurity and shamelessness, idol worship and sorcery, hatred, jealousy and violence, anger, ambition, division, factions, and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like.  I again say to you what I have already said: those who do these things shall not inherit the kingdom of GOD.

But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy and peace, patience, understanding of others, kindness and fidelity, gentleness and self-control.  For such things there is no Law or punishment.  Those who belong to CHRIST have crucified the flesh with its vices and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us live in a spiritual way.  Let us not be conceited; let there be no rivalry or envy of one another." - Galatians 5:18-25 

(Paul rightly gives a short list of the works of the flesh and another of the fruits of the Spirit.  He places side by side idolatry and the ambitions or divisions so common in religious and practicing groups.  It is clear that for him flesh and spirit are not the same as "body" and "soul": the pettiness and attachment to our privileges are also sins of the flesh, that is of people alien to the Spirit.) 

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What Matters Is Faith Working Through Love!

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

THE GOOD NEWS (11 October 2016)

"CHRIST freed us to make us really free.  So remain firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.  I, Paul, say this to you: if you receive circumcision, CHRIST can no longer help you.  Once more I say to whoever receives circumcision: you are now bound to keep the whole Law.  All you who pretend to become righteous through the observance of the Law have separated yourselves from CHRIST and have fallen away from grace.

As for us, through the Spirit and faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.  In CHRIST JESUS it is irrelevant whether we be circumcised or not; what matters is faith working through love." - Galatians 5:1-6 

(Paul does not want converts to be circumcised.  See how firmly he speaks to them; this would be a falling away from grace.  Why?  It was not a sin, Paul could well have tolerated without encouraging it. 

Yet for Paul, you cannot preach the Gospel in an authentic way without taking stances that upset others.  Again "the truth of the Gospel" is not only in the formulas of dogma: it is also in the stand you take, showing how free we are.  If the Gospel is liberation, the apostles should adopt, at least on certain points, positions that disturb and shock.  JESUS gave an example in violating the holiest of laws, that of the Sabbath, when it was not necessary to do so.

Such is the necessary scandal in all Christian behavior, which will never be as scandalous as was JESUS' death on a cross [see 1 Corinthians 1:17].  To save people means, somehow, making them discover who they are before GOD, and then bringing them to confront the forces that have kept them subjugated and alienated.  This is why Paul was so opposed to perpetuating Jewish practices.  Following Paul, we could ask in our days: Who are those who give in to prejudices and alienating powers, and who are the persecuted [5:11; 6:12]?  Oftentimes, the Gospel is lived more authentically in Christian groups that are politically aware and active than in groups that limit themselves to liturgical practices.)  

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The Comparison Of Sarah And Hagar

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

THE GOOD NEWS (10 October 2016)

"It says that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman, the other by the free woman, his wife.  The son of the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but the son of the free woman was born in fulfillment of GOD's promise.

Here we have an allegory and the figures of two covenants.  The first is the one from Mount Sinai, represented through Hagar: her children have slavery for their lot.  We know that Hagar was from Mount Sinai in Arabia: she stands for the present city of Jerusalem which is in slavery with her children.

But the Jerusalem above, who is our mother, is free.  And Scripture says of her: Rejoice, barren woman without children, break forth in shouts of joy, you who do not know the pains of childbirth, for many shall be the children of the forsaken mother, more than of the married woman.

You, dearly beloved, are children of the promise, like Isaac.  But as at that time the child born according to the flesh persecuted Isaac, who was born according to the spirit, so is it now.  And what does Scripture say?  Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave cannot share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.

Brethren, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

CHRIST freed us to make us really free.  So remain firm and do not submit again the yoke of slavery." - Galatians 4:22-5:1 

Abraham, Sarah And Hagar

(At the start of sacred history is Abraham's faith and the promise GOD made to him.  It should be noted that this promise was not to be inherited in the same way as family goods, which had to be distributed among all the children.  The promise will not come to Ishmael born like any other.  [Paul says: "born according to the flesh".]  Rather, what GOD promised was only destined for the son of promise, Isaac: the one who was born through a miraculous and free intervention of GOD.  Thus, from the very beginning of the Bible, we see that we do not come to faith and to GOD's inheritance because we have a right to them, but through grace.

By clinging to their religious observances, the Jews were forgetting that they were, above all, the people of the promise.  Chosen by GOD in preference to other people, their mission was to announce that there are promises of GOD for all nations.  They were wrong in thinking thus: since we are chosen by GOD, let everyone do what we do and observe our practices.  Instead they should have shared their hopes with others; they should have taught others to believe in GOD's promise and not put their trust in particular religious practices.

Hagar, the slave woman who gave birth to Ishmael, ancestor of the Arabs, becomes the image of the people of the first covenant, people who received the Law on Mount Sinai in Arabia: they did not achieve true freedom and held the earthly Jerusalem as their capital.

While Sarah, the free woman, with her son Isaac, born according to the divine promise, represents GOD's new covenant with those who believe in HIS promises.  These are the free people, the Christians who wait for the heavenly Jerusalem.

Ishmael persecuted Isaac and Abraham sent him away.  This means: the inadequately converted Jews are disturbing the Galatians; the Church, then, has to send them away.)

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Healing Is A Gift

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

THE GOOD NEWS (09 October 2016)

"So Naaman went down to the Jordan where he washed himself seven times as Elisha had ordered.  His skin became soft like that of a child and he was cleansed.

Then Naaman returned to the man of GOD with all his men.  He entered and said to him, 'Now I know that there is no other GOD anywhere in the world but in Israel.  I ask you to accept these gifts from your servant.'

But Elisha answered, 'I swear by YAHWEH whom I serve, I will accept nothing.'  And however much Naaman insisted, Elisha would not accept his gifts.

So Naaman told him, 'Since you refuse, let me get some sacks of soil from your land - the amount that two mules can carry.  I shall use it to build an altar to YAHWEH, for I shall not offer sacrifices to any other god but HIM.'" - 2 Kings 5:14-17 

Naaman, The Syrian General, Healed Of Leprosy

(Healing is a gift.  The fabulous treasure Naaman brought with him is useless.  The LORD is the one who gives, HE does not charge nor does HE want us to pay HIM.  All HE asks is that if we discover HIS merciful love, we love HIM in return for HIS love.

Naaman represents a man of good will afflicted with an incurable disease, which is sin, who comes to the Church from far away because he discovers that there is a hidden source of life in it.  The water of baptism does not work by itself; its effectiveness comes from the fact that it is through baptism that we join the people of CHRIST, the Church.) 

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