Second Miracle Of The Loaves

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

THE GOOD NEWS (30 November 2016)

"From there JESUS went to the shore of Lake Galilee, and then went up into the hills where HE sat down.  Great crowds came to HIM, bringing the dumb, the blind, the lame, the crippled, and many with other infirmities.  The people carried them to the feet of JESUS, and HE healed them.  All were astonished when they saw the dumb speaking, the lame walking, the crippled healed and the blind able to see; so they glorified the GOD of Israel.

JESUS called HIS disciples and said to them, 'I AM filled with compassion for these people; they have already followed ME for three days and now have nothing to eat.  I do not want to send them away fasting, or they may faint on the way.'  HIS disciples said to HIM, 'And where shall we find enough bread in this wilderness to feed such a crowd?'  JESUS said to them, 'How many loaves do you have?'  They answered, 'Seven, and a few small fish.'

So JESUS ordered the people to sit on the ground.  Then HE took the seven loaves and the small fish and gave thanks to GOD.  HE broke them and gave them to HIS disciples, who distributed them to the people.

They all ate and were satisfied, and the leftover broken pieces filled seven wicker baskets. - Matthew 15:29-37

The Multiplication Of The Loaves And Fish

(On two occasions JESUS multiplied bread.  It is one of HIS miracles that most impresses us.

The word "miracle" is often devalued.  The Bible uses different words to denote what clearly appears as an act of GOD: sign, wonder, work of power.  Miracle in its full meaning is all that at the same time: a sign by which GOD makes us discover HIS will or the invisible order of the world, a wonder that disconcerts our limited vision, a work which GOD alone is capable of doing.

The multiplication of loaves is the kind of miracle which most shocks our contemporaries and their absolute faith in the "laws of nature" that GOD HIMSELF would not have the power to surpass, or which HE could not ignore without contradicting HIMSELF.  Many do not openly deny the testimony of the apostles, but they avoid taking any stand and say for example: "The miracle is still more beautiful if we imagine that JESUS merely invited the people to share their individual snacks, so that finally there was enough for everyone: a miracle of solidarity!"

Here the Gospel is not praising solidarity: it wishes rather to celebrate the absolute freedom of GOD and of CHRIST: nature itself must be silent, because here the dead are raised to life.  For a Christian, creation is not a huge machine that GOD has passed on to people as HE abdicated; it is a reflection of GOD where the laws - shadows of the wisdom, the order and the justice that are in GOD - never exclude HIS freedom.

Throughout all Christian history the LORD has multiplied and continues to multiply bread, items of food and even canned food for those who have given everything or risked all for HIM: many are able to witness to this.)

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Hope Does Not Disappoint Us

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

THE GOOD NEWS (29 November 2016)

"Not only that, we also boast even in trials, knowing that trials produce patience, from patience comes merit, merit is the source of hope, and hope does not disappoint us because the Holy Spirit has been given to us, pouring into our hearts the love of GOD." - Romans 5:3-5 

Our HOPE, The Peacemaker

(Hope does not disappoint us.  In contrast to the people of the Old Testament, who remained always in what was temporary or provisional while waiting for ultimate truth and justice, the Christian already experiences what will one day fully enjoy.  Something of that flavor or fragrance of the divinity has been poured into our hearts and that is the peace that GOD grants us when HIS Spirit comes to us.)

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"The Word Of GOD Is Near You, On Your Lips And In Your Hearts."

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

THE GOOD NEWS (28 November 2016)

"My brothers and sisters, I wish with all my heart that the Jews be saved and I pray to GOD for them.  I can testify that they are zealous for GOD, but this is not the way.  They don't know GOD's way of righteousness and they try to achieve their own righteousness: this is why they did not enter GOD's way of righteousness.  For CHRIST is the aim of the Law and it is then that the believer reaches this righteousness.

Moses, indeed, speaks of becoming just through the Law; he writes:The one who obeys the Law will find life through it.  But the righteousness coming from the faith says instead: Do not say in your heart: Who will go up to heaven? [because in fact CHRIST came down from there] or who will go down to the world below? [because in fact CHRIST came up from among the dead].  True righteousness coming from faith also says: The word of GOD is near you, on your lips and in your hearts.  This is the message that we preach, and this is faith." - Romans 10:1-8

(Paul continues to develop the same theme of Israel's unbelief using the Jewish method of discussion of the time.  He distinguishes in the Bible various lines of thought.  Apparently a great number of Old Testament texts only speak of fidelity in keeping the commandments but other texts make more of the gratuity of GOD's gift.  This once more makes clear that there is not "one" religion of the Bible: it is not enough to read any text and take it literally [which is called "fundamentalism"].  The Bible gives us a series of testimonies where we recognize a path and a pedagogy from GOD.  Throughout the centuries and in different cultures, Jewish and then Greek, HE leads HIS people to the fullness of truth.

We have, perhaps, become used to a "progressive" view of history, rather as if all had to develop or "radiate" from what exists.  Yet JESUS has shown that times succeed one another but are not alike.  If there is progress, and in a sense that is evident, it happens through upheavals and changes of perspectives.

Even in the Church there have been turning points in the course of this century.  We must surely abandon the idea of a Church that, starting from western Christianity would by means of missions gradually extend to the rest of the world.  Paul points out a different perspective: the current of grace could desert zones it had previously enriched to make other lands fruitful.  He affirms that it is not caprice on GOD's part; for HIM it is a matter of bringing the whole of humanity to maturity and HE alone knows the way.  We note at the same time how he defends the privileged role of the Jewish people.  The same could be said of our ancient Christian bastions: their role, much less prominent, surely remains decisive, in as much as a remnant still remains faithful.)

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Promises To David's Descendants

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

THE GOOD NEWS (27 November 2016)

"The days are coming when I shall fulfill the promise that I made in favor of Israel and Judah.

In those days and at that time I will cause to sprout the shoot of  righteousness from David's line; he will practice justice and righteousness in the land.  In those days Judah will experience salvation and Jerusalem will live in safety. HE will be called YAHWEH-OUR-RIGHTEOUSNESS." - Jeremiah 33:14-16. 

(Start of Advent - as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming".)

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Be On Your Guard!

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

THE GOOD NEWS (26 November 2016)

"Be on your guard: let not your hearts be weighed down with a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you suddenly as a trap.  For it will come upon all the inhabitants of the whole earth.  But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is bound to happen and to stand before the Son of Man." - Luke 21:34-36 

 (Be on your guard.  After speaking about the imminent end of Jerusalem, Luke speaks of that day which will conclude human history with the coming of CHRIST, the Judge.

Be on your guard.  This invitation is not only addressed to those who will know that day, but it is for everyone, throughout the history of the Church.  Once more he invites us to watch and pray while the world is asleep [see Ephesians 6:18].

That you may be able to stand: to avoid errors and deceit [2 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:13] during the trials preceding CHRIST's coming.  The Our Father expresses the same concern.  Those who are expecting the coming of the Kingdom pray: do not put us to the test.

In fact, vigils and prayers serve not only to prevent possible falls.  When the believer and the Church are more awake, they cooperate more in the development of the divine plan and hasten the coming of the LORD.)

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The Signs Of TheTimes

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

THE GOOD NEW (25 November 2016)

"And JESUS added this comparison, 'Look at the fig tree and all the trees.  As soon as their buds sprout, you know that summer is already near.  In the same way, as soon as you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of GOD is near.  Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all this has happened: heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will not pass away." - Luke 21:29-33

 

(The destruction of the Jewish nation and the dispersal of its people inaugurated the new era, which would be mostly the history of the evangelization and education of the nations by the Church.  We could call that period the times of the New Testament, which will end with the great crisis concluding human history.) 

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Songs In Heaven

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

THE GOOD NEWS (24 November 2016)

"After this I heard what sounded like the loud singing of a great assembly in heaven:

Alleluia!  Salvation, glory and might belong to our GOD,

for HIS judgments are true and just.

HE has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the world with her adultery.

HE has avenged HIS servants' blood shed by her hand in harlotry.

Once more they sang: Alleluia!  The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever!

The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped GOD seated on the throne.  And they cried: Amen!  Alleluia!

A voice came from the throne: 'Praise our GOD, all you HIS servants, all you who revere HIM, born small and great!'

Then I heard what sounded like a great crowd, like the roaring of the waves, like peals of thunder, answering:

Alleluia!  The LORD now reigns,

our LORD, the Master of the universe!

Let us rejoice and be glad

and give HIM glory!

This is the time to celebrate the wedding of the Lamb,

HIS bride has made herself ready.

Fine linen, bright and clean,

is given her to wear.

This linen stands for the good works of the holy ones.

Then the angel told me, 'Write: Happy are those invited to the wedding of the Lamb.'  And HE went on, 'These are true words of GOD.'"

- Revelation 19:1-9

(Triumphal songs in heaven.

The huge multitude rejoices the prostitute's condemnation and shouts "alleluia," for the wedding of the Lamb is to take place.

Happy are those invited to the wedding of the Lamb.  Now John speaks of delight and joy when the noise of Babylon and its pleasures have ended.  Its lights shine no more and the deeds of the "saints" - heroic actions or humble service - shine brightly.)

Great Multitude

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The Seven Cups

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

THE GOOD NEWS (23 November 2016)

"Then the sanctuary of the Tent of Divine Declarations was opened, and the seven angels bringing the seven plagues came out of the Sanctuary, clothed in pure and bright linen, with their waists girded with golden bells.  One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden cups full of the wrath of GOD who lives for ever and ever.  Then the sanctuary was filled with smoke that wraps GOD's glory and power, so that no one could enter until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed." - Revelation 15:5-8 

The Seven Bowls Of Wrath

(Here we return to the awaited fall of Rome to see its  religious meaning in a more developed form.  The seven bowls combine images from the plagues of Egypt and various prophetic texts.

The Tent of Divine Declarations reminds us of the Tent [called: tent of meeting] that was Israel's sanctuary  in the desert.)

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Signs Before The Destruction Of Jerusalem

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

THE GOOD NEWS (22 November 2016)

"While some people were talking about the Temple, remarking that it was adorned with fine stonework and rich gifts, JESUS said to them, 'The days will come when there shall not be left one stone upon another of all that you now admire; all will be torn down.  And they asked HIM, 'Master, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?'

JESUS then said, 'Take care not to be deceived, for many will come claiming MY title and saying: I AM he, the Messiah; the time is at hand.'  Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and troubled times, don't be frightened; for all this must happen first, even though the end is not so soon.'

And JESUS said, 'Nations will fight each other and kingdom will oppose kingdom.  There will be great earthquakes, famines and plagues; in many places strange and terrifying signs from heaven will be seen." - Luke 21:5-11

Signs Before The Destruction Of Jerusalem

(The prophets of the Bible spoke in a rather obscure way about the end of the history that would initiate GOD's universal kingdom.  According to them, all nations of the world would join forces to destroy the Holy City of Jerusalem, but right at the moment of greatest despair GOD would intervene in a triumphant way to establish HIS own Kingdom [Isaiah 66:18; Ezekiel 38; Joel 4; Zechariah 14].  That is why, when JESUS speaks of the destruction of the Temple, the apostles think of the end of time.  The answer of JESUS is clear; the tragedy that will end with the destruction of Jerusalem is near but that would not be the end of the world.

This discourse contains JESUS' warnings about the destruction of the Jewish nation that would occur 30 years later, but what HE said regarding these agents clarifies the meaning of the conflicts that occur at present in the whole world.)

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The Widow's Mite

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

THE GOOD NEWS (21 November 2016)

"JESUS looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasure box; HE also saw a poor widow dropping in two small coins.  And HE said, 'Truly, I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them.  For all gave an offering from their plenty, but she, out of her poverty, gave all she had to live on." - Luke 21:1-4

(The poor widow was the only one from among so many worshipers who made retribution to GOD as HE deserves.  She was the personification of those uncountable poor, who have practically nothing but somehow find a way to give part of the little they have.  GOD calls on the poor before anybody else, because only the poor give all that they have to live on.)

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"Truly, You Will Be With ME Today In Paradise."

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

THE GOOD NEWS (20 November 2016)

"The people stood by watching.  As for the rulers, they jeered at HIM, saying to one another, 'Let the man who saved others now save HIMSELF, for HE is the Messiah, the chosen one of GOD!'

The soldiers also mocked HIM and when they drew near to offer HIM bitter wine, they said, 'So YOU are the king of the Jews?  Free YOURSELF!'  For above HIM was an inscription which read, 'This is the King of the Jews.'

One of the criminals hanging with JESUS insulted HIM, 'So YOU are the Messiah?  Save YOURSELF and us as well!'  But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Have you no fear of GOD, you who received the same sentence as HE did?  For us it is just: this is payment for what we have done.  But this man has done nothing wrong.'  And he said, 'JESUS, remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom.'  JESUS replied, 'Truly, you will be with ME today in paradise.'" - Luke 23:35-43 

JESUS CHRIST With The Two Thieves

(The leaders of the Jews have put JESUS where HE belongs, since HE decided to take our sins upon HIMSELF.  The two men look at the one who has come to share their destiny.

You will be in paradise.  What is paradise?  We lack adequate words to express what lies beyond.  In JESUS' time, the Jews used to compare the Place of the Dead to a huge country divided up into regions separated by insurmountable barriers.  Hell was one of the regions, it was reserved for the wicked, from there no one could escape.  Another region was Paradise where the good people would be with the first ancestors of holy people, awaiting the moment of resurrection.

You will be with ME, says JESUS, that is with the Savior, who for a day and a half was in the peace and joy of GOD, before the resurrection.  This statement puts us at ease as to our own destiny at death, although we cannot know what will become of us before the Resurrection.  We will not be anesthetized nor will we cease to exist, as some claim, but we will rather possess everything, being with JESUS who came to share death and HIS brothers' and sisters' rest [see Philippians 1:23 and Revelation 14:13].)

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The Two Witnesses

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

THE GOOD NEWS (19 November 2016)

"These are the two olive trees and the two lamps which are before the LORD of the earth.  If anyone intends to harm them, fire will come out of their mouths to devour their enemies: this is how whoever intends to harm them will perish.  They have the power to close the sky and hold back the rain during the time of their prophetic mission; they also have the power to change water into blood, and punish the earth with a thousand plagues, any time they wish.

But when MY witnesses have fulfilled their mission, the beast that comes up from the abyss will make war upon them, and will conquer and kill them.  Their dead bodies will lie in the square of the Great City which the believers figuratively call Sodom or Egypt, where their LORD was crucified.  And their dead bodies will be exposed for three days and a half to people of all tribes, races, languages and nations who will be ordered not to have them buried.

Then the inhabitants of the earth will rejoice, congratulate one another and exchange gifts among themselves because these two prophets were a torment to them.

But after those three and a half days, a spirit of life coming from GOD entered them.  They then stood up, and those who looked at them were seized with great fear.  A loud voice from heaven called them, 'Come up here.'  So they went up to heaven in the midst of the clouds in the sight of their enemies." - Revelation 11:4-12 

Peter And Paul

(This is the beginning of Gospel times.  During the forty years between CHRIST's departure and the end of Jerusalem, CHRIST's witnesses proclaimed the Gospel throughout the pagan world.  This beginning of the time that Paul calls "time of the nations" was characterized in Palestine by continual crisis.  While GOD protects HIS true worshipers [those who are measured or set apart], the pagan Romans pressure and trample upon the outer courtyard representing most of the people of Israel who did not join the Church.

This page glorifies the Christian apostolate: its struggles, its martyrs and its reward.

The two witnesses personify Christian apostles of all times.  Do not forget that JESUS sent HIS disciples two by two.  The fact that there are two is also a reminder that there are a variety of ministries in the Church.  The two witnesses are also the two most famous apostles, Peter and Paul, both killed in the Great City, Rome, between the years 64-67.  Peter, the first head of JESUS' Church, and Paul, the apostle to the pagan nations.

To understand what is said about them, it is useful to know that all the comparisons used are taken from the Bible, especially from the texts that glorify the great prophets Moses and Elijah.

- These are the two olive trees, meaning they are precious in the eyes of GOD: see Zechariah 4.

- They have the power to close the sky, like Elijah, that is to say that GOD allows them to work miracles.

- When they have fulfilled their mission.  The forces of evil will not overpower them before GOD allows it.  Only then will martyrdom come.

- After three and a half days [again the symbolic figure for trials] they will be raised.  They are already glorified by the Church that has its apostles and martyrs as mediators in heaven.  They already share the resurrection of CHRIST and their enemies learn that, in killing CHRIST's witnesses, they did not destroy HIS work, which continues to grow victoriously.

Where do they die?  The images point to both Jerusalem and Rome, meaning the Jews and the Romans in those first forty years of the Church.  Stephen and James have been killed by the Jews, Peter and Paul, by the Romans, not to mention the rest of the early Christian martyrs.) 

Basilica Of Sts. Peter And Paul, Philadelphia, USA

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The Old Testament

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

THE GOOD NEWS (18 November 2016)

"And the voice I had heard from heaven spoke again, saying to me, 'Go near the angel who stands on the sea and on the land, and take the small book open in his hand.'  So I approached the angel and asked him for the small book; he said to me, 'Take it and eat; although it be sweet as honey in your mouth, it will be bitter to your stomach.'

I took the small book from the hand of the angel, and ate it.  It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, it turned bitter in my stomach.  Then I was told, 'You must again proclaim GOD's words about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.'" - Revelation 10:8-11 

The Old Testament

(John must eat the book, an expression that we already found in Ezekiel [2:8-3:4].  It is both sweet and sour: the voice is sweet, but the task is difficult.  Thus we understand that the history of Israel, imaged by the book of the seven seals, was not all of sacred history but only its first part, the Old Testament.) 

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The Coming Of The Lamb

Hello! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (17 November 2016)

"Then I saw in the right hand of HIM who was seated on the throne a scroll written on both sides, sealed with seven seals.  A mighty angel exclaimed in a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open this and break the seals?'

But no one in heaven or on earth or in the netherworld was found able to open the book and read it.  I wept much when I saw that no one was found worthy to open the book and read it.  Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep.  Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Shoot of David, has conquered; HE will open the book of the seven seals.'

And I saw next to the throne with its four living creatures and the twenty-four elders a Lamb standing, although it had been slain.  I saw HIM with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of GOD sent out to all the earth.

The Lamb moved forward and took the book from the right hand of HIM who was seated on the throne.  When HE took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders bowed before the Lamb.  They all held in their hands harps and golden cups full of incense which are the prayers of the holy ones.

This is the new song they sang:

YOU are worthy to take the book

and open its seals,

for YOU were slain

and by YOUR blood YOU purchased for GOD

people of every race, language and nation;

and YOU made them a kingdom and priests for our GOD

and they shall reign over the land." - Revelation 5:1-10

The Lamb And The Sealed Book

(The vision continues with the appearance of two new elements: the sealed Book and the Lamb.  The history of Israel [which can be read in the Bible] and CHRIST.

John's readers had a book, the Old Testament.  For those among them of Jewish origins, it was the history of their people.  It was also to be with the New Testament, the book of all the Christians, and in some way it contains the meaning of universal history, since this history was preparing for the salvation of all humankind.

Jerusalem had been destroyed some twenty years before, according to JESUS' prophecy [Mark 13], and Christians of Jewish descent were asking themselves: If CHRIST is the promised Savior, why did the history of Israel end in such disasters?  Why did the Jewish people, instructed by the Bible, not recognize their Savior?

Here we are told that though the events are in the Book, the Book is sealed.  No one was found able to understand GOD's plan for HIS people, or able to call GOD to account.  Only CHRIST reveals the mystery of death and resurrection which is being realized in history, and only HE can do so, since HE HIMSELF surrendered to death for all: YOU are worthy to take the Book.

Now, CHRIST can read the Book of the history and destiny of humankind [power, riches and wisdom].  Still more, HE is now the owner of this Book, and in being rejected by Israel, a priestly people [Exodus 19:6], HE formed HIS own kingdom and priests, the Church [1 Peter 2:9].

A Lamb standing, although it had been slain.  The vision brings us to the moment of the resurrection.  While the Gospels relate the resurrection of JESUS, as HIS disciples knew it on earth, here we are in heaven to contemplate the risen CHRIST entering a glorious world.  HE is standing after being sacrificed, glorious, but forever marked by HIS passion.

The seven horns and the seven eyes express the fullness of power and knowledge in the risen CHRIST.  Before all the powers of the world and of heaven, on that day, HE comes with authority to take the Book from the hands of the FATHER.

Let us note how on the day of the resurrection, the same praise previously addressed to GOD now goes to the Lamb: in being raised up, CHRIST appears with the glory befitting HIM: that of GOD.)

JESUS CHRIST, The Lamb

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Universal Symphony!

Hi! and happy good mid-week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Wednesday:

THE GOOD NEWS  (16 November 2016)

"Alleluia!

Praise GOD in HIS sanctuary;

praise HIM in the vault of heaven.

Praise HIM for HIS mighty deeds;

praise HIM for HIS own greatness.

Praise HIM with trumpet blast;

praise HIM with lyre and harp.

Praise HIM with dance and tambourines;

praise HIM pipe and strings.

Praise HIM with clashing cymbals;

praise HIM with clanging cymbals.

Let everything that breathes sing praise to the LORD.

Alleluia!"

- Psalm 150:1-6

(The book of psalms ends with a song performed by the whole orchestra which is symbolic: to be complete, the praise of GOD requires the participation of all nations, of all races, of all civilizations, and of all cultures.  "All who have breath, praise the LORD."  Revelation will repeat it [5:13], "And I heard them answer: To the one who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb, praise, honor, glory and power forever and ever.")

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LORD, Who Shall Dwell In YOUR Tent?

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

THE GOOD NEWS (15 November 2016)

"Those who walk blamelessly

and do what is right,

who speak truth from their heart

and control their words,

who do no harm to their neighbors

and cast no discredit on their companions,

who look down on evildoers

but highly esteem GOD's servants;

who at all cost stand by a pledged word,

who do not lend money at interest

and refuse a bribe against the innocent.

Do this, and you will soon be shaken."

- Psalm 15:2-5  

(This psalm repeats in its own way the word of the prophet Hosea: "I prefer mercy to sacrifice."  To the question, who will dwell in YOUR tent? HE replies with a list of ten virtues of justice: service of GOD and justice are two facets of a same attitude.

May the LORD help us to follow HIS commandments.)

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The Master Of The Universe

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

THE GOOD NEWS (14 November 2016)

"'I  AM the Alpha and the Omega,' says the LORD GOD, HE who IS, who WAS and who IS to come: the Master of the universe." - Revelation 1:8 

(Alpha and Omega [that is A {First/Beginning} and Z {Last/End}].  This suggests that GOD embraces all time.

Revelation is addressed to Christians who are beginning to suffer for their faith, and shows CHRIST to them, as the model they are imitating.  CHRIST is the "servant and the witness of GOD the FATHER."  Let us not forget that martyr means witness.)

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Let Everyone Work

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

THE GOOD NEWS (13 November 2016) 

"You know how you ought to follow our example: we worked while we were with you.  Day and night we labored and toiled so as not to be a burden to any of you.  We had the right to act otherwise, but we wanted to give you an example.

Besides, while we were with you, we said clearly: If anyone is not willing to work, neither should that one eat.  However we heard that some among you live in idleness - busybodies, doing no work.  In the name of CHRIST JESUS our LORD we command these people to work and earn their own living." - 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

 

(Paul invites the Church, as he did in 1 Thessalonians, to follow his instructions and rules.  He is more severe in insisting that they have an obligation to work: if everybody works, their faith will be more peaceful.)  

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Making Ourselves Their Cooperators In The Work Of The Truth

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

THE GOOD NEWS (12 November 2016)

"Beloved, you do well to care for the brothers and sisters as you do.  I mean those coming from other places.  They spoke of your charity before the assembled Church.  It will be well to provide them with what they need to continue their journey, as if you did it for GOD.  In reality, they have set out on the road for HIS name without accepting anything from the pagans.  We should receive such persons, making ourselves their cooperators in the work of the truth." - 3 John 5-8 

(To the Christians who knew him, the apostle John was not "Saint John," but a man.  For a certain Diotrephes, to whom John gave the responsibility of a community that we do not know, John was a bothersome old man.  In order to better dominate his church, Diotrephes was cutting off the relationship.

John, however, in his three letters, as in the Gospel, speaks of the "communion" which must exist among Christians.  Any church or group must remain open to others, maintaining constant contact with them.  Paul also insists on this responsibility: to welcome in their homes all Christians coming from other places in order to strengthen the bonds of the common faith.)

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Chosen Lady

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

THE GOOD NEWS (11 November 2016)

 “I rejoiced greatly on meeting some of your children who live in accordance with the truth, according to the command we have received from the FATHER.  And now, I ask you, Lady – I write to you not a new commandment but that which we had from the beginning – I ask you:  let us love one another.

This is love: to walk according to HIS commandments. And this is the commandment: that you walk in love as you have learned from the beginning.

Many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not acknowledge that JESUS is the CHRIST who came in the flesh.  They are impostors and antichrists.  Take care of yourselves that you do not lose the fruit of your labors, but receive a perfect reward.  Everyone who goes beyond and does not remain within the teaching of CHRIST does not have GOD.  The one who remains in the teaching has both the FATHER and the SON.” – 2 John:4-9  

The Church, The Chosen Lady

(Chosen lady: this is the way John greets the community of an unknown city.  The Church is chosen and holy, just as the people in it are the chosen and holy ones of GOD.

John invites the people to have a steadfast and emphatic attitude toward those who do not accept the faith of the apostles.  At the same time he reminds them of the fundamental law for Christians: love.

To remain zealously faithful to the Truth is to love CHRIST who entrusted this truth to us.  We need the whole truth and not only what is most pleasing to people today.)

John The Apostle And Evangelist

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The Coming Of The Kingdom Of GOD

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

THE GOOD NEWS (10 November 2016)

“The Pharisees asked JESUS when the kingdom of GOD was to come.  HE answered, ‘The kingdom of GOD is not like something you can observe and say of it: ‘Look, here it is!  There it is!’  See, the kingdom of GOD is among you.’ 

And JESUS said to HIS disciples, ‘The time is at hand when you will long to see one of the glorious days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.  Then people will tell you: ‘Look there!  Look here!’  Do not go, do not follow them.  As lightning flashes from one end of the sky to the other, so will it be with the Son of Man.  But first HE must suffer many things and  be rejected by this people.” – Luke 17:20-25

The Second Coming Of JESUS CHRIST

(When will the kingdom of GOD come?  It does not come as a revolution or the change of the seasons each year: it is at work in people who have received the Good News.  Those who believe already enjoy the Kingdom.

Then come the words of JESUS concerning the end of Jerusalem and HIS second coming [Matthew 13:14].  We should not speak about the end of the world in every time of anxiety, JESUS gives us two comparisons: the lightning which is seen everywhere and the vultures which gather without fail wherever there is a corpse.  In the same way, everyone, without fail, will be aware of CHRIST’s return.

Signs Of The Second Coming

Of JESUS CHRIST

Yet HIS return will catch off guard those who are not expecting it [just as in the days of Noah].  Judgment will separate the elect from the condemned – nothing separated them in daily life – from two people working side by side, one will be taken, the other left behind.

In Matthew 24:17 the reference to someone outside his house is connected with the end of Jerusalem, and here it means it will be necessary to escape quickly.  In the present text this has another meaning: when the end of the world comes it will be too late to worry about saving one’s life or possessions.)  

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