Duties Towards Parents

"For the LORD established that children should respect their father; HE confirmed the right of the mother over her children.

Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays.

Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life.  Whoever obeys the LORD gives comfort to his mother.  He serves those who brought him to birth as he would serve the LORD.

Honor your father in word and deed so that his blessing may come on you.  For a father's blessing secures the future of his children, but a mother's curse destroys them at their roots. 

Do not rejoice at the humiliation of your father because his dishonor is no glory for you.  For a man's glory comes his father's reputation; a mother who is not respected is a disgrace to her children.

My child, take care of your father in his old age, do not cause him sorrow as long as he lives.

Even if he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him while you are in full health.

For kindness done to one's father will never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins." - Sirach 3:2-14 

(This is the best commentary on Moses' commandment concerning children's responsibilities toward their parents.  To honor our parents means: to respect, to be understanding and to offer material assistance in their difficulties.)

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Whoever Does The Will Of GOD Remains Forever

"My dear children, I write this to you: you have already received the forgiveness of your sins, through the name of JESUS.  Fathers, I write this to you: you know HIM, who is from the beginning.  Young men, I write this to you: you have overcome the evil one.  My dear children, I write to you, because you already know the FATHER. 

Fathers, I write to you, because you know HIM, who is from the beginning.  Young men, I write to you, because you are strong, and the word of GOD lives in you, who have, indeed, overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world, or what is in it.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the FATHER is not in HIM.

For everything in the world--

     the craving of the flesh,

     the greed of eyes

     and people boasting of their superiority--

     all this, belongs to the world, not to the FATHER.

The world passes away, with all its craving, but those who do the will of GOD remain for ever." - 1 John 2:12-17 

(The third criterion: not to love the world.  Note how John begins by rejoicing with his readers because they know the FATHER.  It is not a matter of hating the world that CHRIST came to save.  Yet the life and history of people manifest a deep alienation: this is the power of the evil spirit.  John calls "the world" all the evil current prevailing in it.  According to John the world is the deceitful life which people live when they cease to seek the FATHER's will, and when they oppose CHRIST.  Two contrary forces coexist in this world of ours and also in people: what comes from the FATHER and is forever; and what is planned and desired by humans when they forget their condition and dignity as children of GOD: greed and pride that lead them to death.

There is something more to say about this not loving the world.  Even though all that comes from GOD is good: the sunlight, love, what emerges from human intelligence and hands, yet the whole creation is worth nothing if we compare it with GOD.

As long as we look upon the world as the great gift that GOD gave us and we feel accountable to HIM for its progress and development, the world is good for us.  As soon as we consider the world as our thing, use it or neglect it according to our fancy, or if we think we can change it alone and by force, it becomes our worst enemy, an idol that enslaves us and is the source of rivalries.  Christians commit themselves to the world [first case] but not with the world [second case].  They keep their freedom as children of GOD or they are no longer sons and daughters because of their love for the world.)

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Whoever Loves His Brother, Remains In The Light

"How can we know that we know HIM?  If we fulfill HIS commands.

If you say, 'I know HIM,' but do not fulfill HIS commands, you are a liar and the truth is not in you.  But if you keep HIS word, GOD's love is made complete in you.  This is how we know that we are in HIM:

    he who claims to live in HIM, must live as HE lived.

My dear friends, I am not writing you a new commandment, but reminding you of an old one, one you had from the beginning.  This old commandment is the word you have heard.

But, in a way, I give it as a new commandment, that is true in HIM, and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.

If you claim to be in the light, but hate your brother, you are still in darkness.

If you love your brothers and sisters, you remain in the light, and nothing in you will make you fall.  But if you hate your brother, you are in the dark, and walk in darkness, without knowing where you go, for the darkness has blinded you." - 1 John 2:3-11 

(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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GOD Is Light

"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.

The 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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We Have Seen It And Testify To It

"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 

(The Word: see John 1:1.  John will not speak about miracles, or revelations, or secrets jealously kept by some members.  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 merely in books, but through communion with those who have seen and experienced it before us, and who became HIS Church.)

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LORD JESUS, Receive My Spirit

"Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  Some persons then came forward, who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia.  They argued with Stephen.  But they could not match the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

When they heard this reproach, they were enraged; and they gnashed their teeth against Stephen.  But he, full of the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on heaven and saw the glory of GOD, and JESUS at GOD's right hand; so he declared: 'I see the heavens open, and the Son of Man at the right hand of GOD.'

But they shouted and covered their ears with their hands, and rushed together upon him.  They brought him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.  As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed saying: 'LORD JESUS, receive my spirit.'" - Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 

Stephen, The First Martyr

(Being a Hellenist, Stephen did not share the blind faith of the Jewish people in their temple and its rituals.  He understood that the Church had to become free from the patterns of the past and move away from the Jews, if they refused to believe.

Stephen's long discourse before the Sanhedrin [the Great Council] is an outstanding summary of the Old Testament.  It emphasizes the increasing initiatives of GOD who calls, gives, promises, corrects and saves.  Confronting this untiring love is the permanent rebellion of Israel who despises GOD and rejects those HE sends.  The prophet Hosea, eight centuries before CHRIST, already expressed the drama of the rejected love of GOD by HIS people [Hosea 11:1-4].  Stephen proclaims it again: this drama reached its culmination when JESUS, the Son-of-GOD-made-man, was nailed to the cross [Acts 2:23; 3:15; 4:10].

Stephen dies as CHRIST did.  He becomes the first martyr [martyr means witness].  He is a witness to CHRIST because he proclaims HIM, but even more so because he does as CHRIST did, he forgives his murderers.

Like Peter after Pentecost, Stephen still hopes for a conversion of the Jewish people: a minority at least will be converted.  This hope will fade in time with the persecutions raised against the Church.  The murder of Stephen would be the first sign leading the converted Jews to understand that apostolic work must be undertaken beyond the frontiers of the Jewish fortress.)

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Your GOD Is King!

"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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The Mystery Has Now Been Manifested

"Glory be to GOD!

HE is able to give you strength, according to the Good News I proclaim, announcing CHRIST JESUS.

Now is revealed the mysterious plan, kept hidden for long ages in the past.

By the will of the eternal GOD it is brought to light, through the prophetic books, and all nations shall believe the faith proclaimed to them.

Glory to GOD, who alone is wise, through CHRIST JESUS, for ever!  Amen. - Romans 16:25-27 

(The doctrine of the Church is the doctrine of the apostles, the witnesses of JESUS.  There is as hierarchy, that is, a legally constituted authority, and Paul demands obedience in matters of faith.

The last sentence is a prayer of thanksgiving to GOD.  It is similar to another prayer, more developed, with which HE begins the letter to the Ephesians.)

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John Is His Name

"When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son.  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful LORD had done a wonderful thing for her, and they rejoiced with her.

When, on the eight day, they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father.  But his mother said, 'Not so; he shall be called John.'  They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name!' and they made signs to his father for the name he wanted to give him.  Zechariah asked for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, 'His name is John;' and they were very surprised.  Immediately, Zechariah could speak again, and his first words were in praise of GOD.

A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the hill country of Judea the people talked about these events.  All who heard of it, pondered in their minds, and wondered, 'What will this child be?  For they understood that the hand of the LORD was with him." - Luke 1:57-66  

The indelible sign of belonging to the chosen race!

(Circumcision, cutting of the skin called "foreskin" of the male organ, was an ancient custom of Oriental people.  It was one of those "initiation rites" which, among some people, mark the passage of an adolescent into adult society.  Circumcision was a religious rite intended to ensure fertility.

Circumcision took on a new meaning for Israel: it was considered the distinct sign of their belonging to the chosen people.  A foreigner  could enter the religious community of Israel only by being circumcised.

A married woman wears the ring of her husband puts on her finger.  Something similar happens to people who enter into a community: they need a symbol of their membership in the community.  Similarly, every male descendant of Abraham must have an indelible sign of his belonging to the chosen race; this sign is circumcision.)

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Samuel Shall Be Dedicated To The LORD

"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.  I think YAHWEH is now asking for this child.  As long as he lives, he belongs to YAHWEH.'

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

The Campaign Tent With The Ark At Shiloh 

(These pages depict 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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Blessed Are You Who Believe!

"Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah.  She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb.  Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry, said, 'You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  How is it, that the mother of my LORD comes to me?  The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy.  Blessed are you, who believed that the LORD's word would come true!'" - Luke 1:39-45 

(The angel's message has not left Mary alone with her problems.  The angel spoke of her elderly cousin, Elizabeth.  With her Mary will share her joy and her secret.  Mary, quite young [was she more than fifteen?], will learn from her many things that Joseph could not tell her.  What had been foretold to Zechariah will now be fulfilled: "Your son will be filled with the Holy Spirit while in the womb of his mother."

What is most important in history is not what is spectacular.  The Gospel prefers to draw our attention to the life-filled events.

A few years later, Jewish crowds would go to John the Baptist looking for the word of GOD.  No one would wonder how he received the Spirit of GOD, and no one would know that a humble girl, Mary, put GOD's plan in  motion on that Visitation day.

Blessed are you who believed!  What is important is not that Mary is the mother of JESUS in the flesh, and this, JESUS will repeat [11:27].

Mary, who has become the Temple of GOD, communicates the Spirit--the Spirit of JESUS.)

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Let The LORD Enter; HE Is The King Of Glory

"The earth and its fullness belong to YAHWEH,

the world and all that dwell in it.

HE has founded it upon the ocean

and set it firmly upon the waters.

Who will ascend the mountain of YAHWEH?

Who will stand in HIS holy place?

Those with clean hands and pure heart,

who desire not what is vain,

and never swear to a lie.

They will receive blessings from YAHWEH,

a reward from GOD, their savior.

Such are the people who seek HIM,

who seek the face of Jacob's GOD."

- Psalm 24:1-6

('Heavens cannot contain you!' said Solomon, 'How much less this house that I have built! [2 Chronicles 6:18].  And yet, the King of Glory passed through the gates of a Temple, where Israel's pilgrims 'sought HIS face.'  This psalm shares the astonishment of Solomon: 'Will GOD really live with men and women on the earth?'  For us that wonder is surpassed.  We have seen the Son of GOD pass through the gate of our nature and heard HIM speak 'of the temple of HIS body [John 2:21].  And this is not all!  Mystically assumed into that body, our own selves become temples too--but we must throw open the gates of a generous heart: 'If anyone loves ME, MY FATHER will love him; and we will come to him' [John 14:23].  We think of this as we sing: 'Let HIM enter, the King of Glory!'  'Come, LORD JESUS' [Revelation 22:20].)   

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My Mouth Shall Be Filled With YOUR Praise, And I Will Sing YOUR Glory!

"Be my rock of refuge; a stronghold, to give me safety; for YOU are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my GOD, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of cruel and violent people.

For YOU, O YAHWEH, have been my hope; my trust, O GOD, from my youth.

I have relied on YOU from birth: from my mother's womb YOU brought me forth.  My praise is of YOU continually.

I have become like a portent to many, but YOU are my strong refuge.

My mouth is filled with YOUR praise, announcing YOUR glory, day by day.

Do not cast me off in my old age, do not desert me when my strength fails.

For my enemies speak ill of me; awaiting my death, they set plans.

They say, 'GOD has forsaken him; let us pursue and seize him, for no one will rescue him.'

O GOD, be not far from me; my GOD, make haste to help me!

Let my accusers be destroyed in shame; let those who seek my ruin, be covered with disgrace and scorn.

Then, I may trust in YOU and praise YOU.

My lips will proclaim YOUR intervention and tell of YOUR salvation all day, little though it is what I can understand.

I will come to YOUR strength, O YAHWEH, and announce YOUR justice, YOURS alone.

YOU have taught me from my youth and, until now, I proclaim YOUR marvels."

- Psalm 71:3-17

(An old man looks back on his life.  He was taught at his mother's knee to put his trust in GOD always.  He has not forgotten but has GOD forgotten him?  His enemies say 'yes'; he knows better.  And yet he is anxious.  Even a short life has its crisis and he has lived a long time, and GOD seems very far away.  One learns with age how powerfully the resilience of youth contributed even to religious optimism.  GOD, slowly and gently, teaches us to do without it.  This unconscious young confidence in ourselves having done its work is now removed.  If old age wishes it, GOD is closer than ever: the trust is purified.

Like the psalmist we too may have gone through the ups and downs of life.  But the faith of the psalmist never wavered.  He is confident that GOD will raise him up from the deepest depths.  If we also show faith like that of the psalmist, we will have nothing and nobody to fear.  And then, like St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:20 and again in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, we too will, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to GOD at every moment.  This is the will of GOD, your vocation as Christians.")

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The LORD Our Justice

"YAHWEH further says, ' The day is coming when I will raise up a king who is David's righteous successor.  HE will rule wisely and govern with justice and righteousness.  That will be a grandiose era when Judah will enjoy peace and Israel will live in safety.  HE will be called YAHWEH-our-justice!'

'The days are coming,' says YAHWEH, 'when people shall no longer swear by YAHWEH as the living GOD who freed the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.  Rather, they will swear by YAHWEH as the living GOD who restored the descendants of Israel from the northern empire and from all the lands where HE had driven them, to live again in their own land!'" - Jeremiah 23:5-8

 

(Humankind hopes for unity in peace, and the Church now must offer the witness of different people gathered in CHRIST.  The reality, however, will be achieved only in the heavenly Jerusalem [Revelation 21:22].)

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Be Preserved Blameless For The Coming Of Our LORD

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to GOD at every moment.  This is the will of GOD, your vocation as Christians.

Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise the prophets' warnings.  Put everything to the test and hold fast to what is good.  Avoid evil, wherever it may be.

May the GOD of peace make you holy and bring you to perfection.  May you be completely blameless, in spirit, soul and body, till the coming of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD; HE who called you is faithful and will do it." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 

(Do not quench the Spirit.  A community such as this with few traditions and written instructions, depended on the intervention of the Spirit.  Among these Christians there were some gifted with the charism of prophets: they would receive their communications during the Eucharistic assemblies.  That is why Paul asks to profit by these spiritual messages, but not without first examining them as he will remind them in 1 Corinthians 14.  This is a delicate situation: the community is subject to the Spirit who speaks through the prophet, but it must--and its leaders must--judge if it is truly the Spirit of GOD speaking.

May you be completely blameless in spirit, soul and body.  Neither the Jews nor the majority of Greeks would have agreed with our definition of the human: body and soul.  They spoke at the same time of the soul that gives life to the body and deals with material activities, and of the spirit that is capable of truth and justice.

Paul's way of speaking, like the great spiritual Christians, shares this conception.  When Paul speaks of the deep life of believers, he does not use the word soul but spirit.  We do not face GOD as we do in facing an interlocutor and look at each other from the exterior: to understand better our relationship with GOD, through the Spirit we must think of what unites beings who love each other and in some way live in one another.

According to Scripture, GOD's Spirit can be omnipresent, insinuate itself, adapt itself, become our spirit without ceasing to be itself.  Our spirit is not a part of ourselves, it is us, and it is at the same time our access to GOD.  Our soul expresses itself in different ways, for example in dreams.  We only discover our spirit in the measure of our experience of GOD.  Only when we see GOD shall we truly know what and who we are.)

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The Least In The Kingdom Of GOD Is Greater Than He

"When John's messengers had gone, JESUS began speaking to the people about John.  And HE said, 'What did you want to see, when you went to the desert?  A reed blowing in the wind?  What was there to see?  A man dressed in fine clothes?  But people who wear fine clothes and enjoy delicate food are found in palaces.  What did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  For John is the one foretold in Scripture in these words: I AM sending MY messenger ahead of YOU to prepare YOUR way.  No one may be found greater than John among those born of women; but, I tell you, the least in the kingdom of GOD is greater than he.   

All the people listening to HIM, even the tax collectors, had acknowledged the will of GOD in receiving the baptism of John, whereas the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, in not letting themselves be baptized by him, ignored the will of GOD." - Luke 7:24-30 

JESUS CHRIST And John The Baptist

(When John's messengers had gone.  Most of John's disciples continued to follow him and did not acknowledge JESUS.  JESUS did not accuse them, instead HE praised John and situated HIMSELF in respect to John.

A prophet and more than a prophet.  JESUS clearly takes a stand in favor of John; yet John was the subject of many reservations in respected circles.  No one [the Gospel uses the Jewish term: among those born of woman, that simply means: no one] could be found greater than John.  For the common people John was the greatest contemporary figure.  JESUS agreed with them for this reason: John introduced the Savior and the kingdom of GOD.

The least in the kingdom of GOD is greater than he: in the sense that JESUS disciples entered the kingdom that John only announced.  However holy John may have been, he was not given the knowledge of GOD that permeated JESUS.  Actually JESUS emphasized the superiority, not of HIS disciples as compared to John, but of HIS own mission when compared with that of John.

John said that each one had to straighten out his life.  JESUS rather insists that all efforts are useless if a person does not believe in the FATHER's love.  John's disciples used to fast; JESUS' disciples will know how to forgive.  John attracted to the desert those who knew how to let go of conveniences that they were accustomed to; JESUS lives among people and heals their wounds.  The baptism of John signified a person's willingness to give up his vices, while the baptism of JESUS bestows the Spirit of GOD.)

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Hearken To MY Commandments

"Thus says YAHWEH, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, YAHWEH, your GOD, teach you what is best for you; I lead you in the way that you must go.

Had you paid attention to MY commandments, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Your descendants would have been like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their names never cut off nor blotted out from MY presence." - Isaiah 48:17-19 

(The prophet looks at Israel's past, reminding us of what we read about the lost Paradise.  If they had obeyed, GOD's desire to lavish HIS blessings upon them would have been fulfilled, as well as GOD's promises to Abraham.

But GOD will intervene again as the Redeemer of HIS people.)

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None Greater Than John The Baptist

"I tell you this: no one greater than John the Baptist has arisen from among the sons of women; and yet, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is something to be conquered; and violent men seize it.

Up to the time of John, there was only prophesy: all the prophets and the law.  And if you believe ME, John is indeed that Elijah, whose coming was predicted.  Let anyone with ears listen!" - Matthew 11:11-15  

John The Baptist

(No one greater than John the Baptist has arisen.  This verse refers to a prophet or to a political leader.

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is something to be conquered; and violent men seize it.  This sentence could also be translated: "The kingdom of GOD is the moving force that makes history progress, taking advantage of both gentle and violent changes in human life.  The believers are called to participate actively in this constant transformation.  Death and resurrection are at work among us and all over the world.)

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Come To ME, All You Who Are Burdened

"Come to ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take MY yoke upon you and learn from ME, for I AM gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest.  For MY yoke is easy; and MY burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30 

(Come to ME: I will not relieve you of your load but by placing MY yoke on you, I give you the means of carrying the load. 

JESUS plays with the two words yoke and load, for the Jews used to call "load" the divine teachings imparted to pupils, and yoke the balancing of the teacher's sentences, which should be learned by heart.

JESUS, the patient and humble teacher, enables us to see the mercy of GOD in our lives and in our own cross.  HE shows us the love of GOD even in the requirements of the law.  Only GOD is good; and good is the authority of CHRIST.) 

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In Search Of The Stray

"What do you think of this?  If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won't he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one?  And I tell you, when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it, than about the ninety-nine that did not go astray.  It is the same with your FATHER in heaven.  Your FATHER in heaven doesn't want even one of these little ones to perish." - Matthew 18:12-14 

Reaching Out To The Unchurched And Marginalized

(The parable of the one hundred sheep is also found in the Gospel of Luke [15:1].  It teaches us several things: JESUS' special concern for sinners and those who stray and, therefore, the missionary dimension of HIS apostolate.  IN fact, JESUS came "to seek and save the lost" [Luke 19:10], "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners" [Matthew 9:13].  This attitude should impel our parishes and Christian communities to constantly reach out to the unchurched and marginalized, instead of just working with those who already are in touch with the Church.)

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Astonishment Seized Them All

"One day, JESUS was teaching, and many Pharisees and teachers of the law had come from every part of Galilee and Judea, and even from Jerusalem.  They were sitting there, while the power of the LORD was at work to heal the sick.  Then some men brought a paralyzed man who lay on his mat.  They tried to enter the house to place him before JESUS, but they couldn't find a way through the crowd.  So they went up on the roof, and, removing the tiles, they lowered him on his mat into the middle of the crowd, in front of JESUS.

When JESUS saw their faith, HE said to the man, 'MY friend, your sins are forgiven.'  At once the teachers of the law and the Pharisees began to wonder, 'This man insults GOD!  Who can forgive sins, but GOD alone?'

But JESUS knew their thoughts and asked them, 'Why are you reacting like this?  Which is easier to say: 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Get up and walk'?  Now you shall know, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.'  And JESUS said to the paralyzed man, 'Get up, take your mat and go home.'  At once, the man stood before them.  He took up the mat he had been lying on, and went home praising GOD.

Amazement seized the people and they praised GOD.  They were filled with a holy fear, and said, 'What wonderful things we have seen today!'" - Luke 5:17-26 

(There were many Pharisees and teachers of the law.  The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were not against JESUS yet, but being men who had received much religious formation, they were the first to wonder about JESUS' religious claims: was HE only a faithful believer respectful of GOD's law or was HE promoting a new sect?  JESUS took advantage of their presence to show that HE was not simply a disciple of Moses and the prophets, but the master of them all.

We easily understand why the teachers of the law were scandalized.  How could this man without studies or title, stand up to them as if HE were a teacher?  They were looking for the coming of a GOD who would confirm their teaching and acknowledge their merits.  JESUS, however, was in the midst of common folk and did not pay attention to the authority of the masters of the law who looked down on them.  Since the teachers of the law could not believe, their only recourse was to oppose JESUS.)

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Make Straight The Paths Of The LORD

"This is the beginning of the Good News of JESUS CHRIST, the Son of GOD.  It is written in the book of Isaiah, the prophet, 'I AM sending MY messenger ahead of YOU, to prepare YOUR way.  Let the people hear the voice calling in the desert: Prepare the way of the LORD, level HIS paths.'

So John began to baptize in the desert; he preached a baptism of repentance, for the forgiveness of sins.  All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins, and to be baptized by him in the river Jordan.

John was clothed in camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist.  His food was locusts and honey.  He preached to the people, saying, 'After me comes One who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but HE will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.' - Mark 1:1-8 

John The Baptist In The River Jordan

(John the Baptist announces the coming of the One sent by GOD: this JESUS about whom the Gospel will speak to us has been announced, prepared by all the great witnesses of the Old Testament.  In HIM and by HIM GOD's salvation will be accomplished.)

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The LORD Will Give You The Bread You Need

"O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more.  When you cry, HE will listen; when HE hears, HE will answer.

When the LORD has given you the bread of anguish and the water of distress, HE, your teacher will hide no longer.  Your own eyes will see HIM, and your ear will listen to HIS words behind you: 'This is the way, walk in it.'

You will see the uncleanliness of your idols and images overlaid with silver and gold.  You will throw them out like a menstrual cloth.  'Away with you then!' you will say to them.

HE will then give rain for the seed you sow and make the harvest abundant from the crops you grow.  On that day your cattle will graze in wide pastures.  Your beasts of burden will eat silage tossed to them with pitchfork and shovel.

For on the day of the great slaughter, when fortresses fall, streams of water will flow on every mountain and lofty hill.

The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven times greater, like the light of seven days, when YAHWEH binds up the wounds of HIS people and heals the bruises inflicted by HIS blows." - Isaiah 30:19-26 

(GOD loves us and teaches us.  This poem speaks of all the marvels to be discovered when meeting GOD through tears.

You will see the uncleanliness of your idols.  People have become aware that they were serving false gods.  Idolatry does not only mean keeping carved gods, but more trusting people, serving institutions and envying the things that these images represent.)

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Sing To The LORD A New Song, For HE Has Done Marvelous Deeds

"Sing to YAHWEH a new song, for HE has done wonders; HIS right hand, HIS holy arm, has won victory for HIM.

YAHWEH has shown HIS salvation, revealing HIS justice to the nations.

HE has not forgotten HIS love, nor HIS faithfulness to Israel.  The farthest ends of the earth all have seen GOD's saving power.

All you, lands, make a joyful noise to YAHWEH, break into song and sing praise."

- Psalm 98:1-4

The Paschal Mysteries: Passion, Death And Resurrection

(Humanity has found the way to liberation and salvation.  It is in the coming of CHRIST, GOD-made-man and in HIS resurrection.

For the LORD came down to earth, showed us HIS love and also by HIS death and resurrection, the path to eternal salvation.)

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The One Who Does The Will Of MY FATHER Will Enter The Kingdom Of Heaven

"Not everyone who says to ME, 'LORD!  LORD!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of MY heavenly FATHER.  Many will say to ME on that day, 'LORD, LORD, did we not speak in YOUR name?  Did we not cast out devils and perform many miracles in YOUR name?'  Then I will tell them openly, 'I have never known you; away from ME, you evil people!'

Therefore, anyone who hears these words of MINE, and acts according to them, is like a wise man, who built his house on rock.  The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house.  But it did not collapse, because it was built on rock.  But anyone who hears these words of MINE, and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand.  The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible collapse that was!'" - Matthew 7:21-27 

(Many will say to ME on that day.  Matthew probably quotes this sentence pointing out to the charismatic prophets  who disturb his communities by not obeying precepts that are addressed to everyone.

Whether we teach or work miracles, these abilities and ministries given us for the good of the community do not assure us that we are in the grace of GOD.  True faith works through love [Galatians 5:6] and moves us to fulfill all the law: James 2:8.

Anyone who hears these words of MINE.  JESUS means those who listen to HIS words and are converted: they believe themselves already saved.  If they do not use their initial enthusiasm to build their lives on solid foundations, such as scriptural meditation, generosity, resistance to evil inclinations, sharing in the Christian community--then everything will tumble down later.)

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The LORD GOD Will Wipe Away The Tears From All Faces

"On this mountain YAHWEH Sabaoth will prepare for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, meat full of marrow, fine wine strained.

On this mountain HE will destroy the pall cast over all peoples, this very shroud spread over all nations, and death will be no more.  The LORD YAHWEH will wipe away the tears from all cheeks and eyes;  HE will take away the humiliation of HIS people all over the world:

for YAHWEH has spoken.

On that day you will say: This is our GOD.  We have waited for HIM to save us, let us be glad and rejoice in HIS salvation.  For on this mountain the hand of YAHWEH rests.

Moab instead will be trodden down, as straw trodden down on a dunghill." - Isaiah 25:6-10 

(A thanksgiving to YAHWEH who has done away with the presence of the oppressor.  HIS citadel, installed, it would seem, in Jerusalem itself had been completely destroyed.  This recalls that this victory is only one stage: the great hope is "the banquet of the elect" after the judgment when GOD will destroy death.  John will use these images in Revelations 7:17 and 21:4.)

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The Spirit Of The LORD Shall Rest Upon HIM

"From the stump of Jesse a shoot will come forth;

from his roots a branch will grow and bear fruit.

The spirit of the LORD will rest upon HIM--

a spirit of wisdom and understanding,

a spirit of counsel and power,

a spirit of knowledge and fear of YAHWEH.

Not by appearances will HE judge,

nor by what is said must HE decide,

but with justice HE will judge the poor

and with righteousness decide for the meek.

Like a rod, HIS word will strike the oppressor,

and the breath of HIS lips slay the wicked.

Justice will be the girdle of HIS waist,

truth the girdle of HIS loins.

The wolf will dwell with the lamb,

the leopard will rest beside the kid,

the calf and the lion cub will feed together

and a little child will lead them.

Befriending each other, the cow and the bear

will see their young ones lie down together.

Like cattle, the lion will eat hay.

By the cobra's den the infant will play.

The child will put his hand into the viper's lair.

No one will harm or destroy over my holy mountain,

for as water fills the sea

the earth will be filled with the knowledge of YAHWEH.

On that day the 'Root of Jesse' will be raised as a signal for the nations.  The people will come in search of HIM, thus making HIS dwelling place glorious." - Isaiah 11:1-10

(Those who have read the New Testament know that the Jews of JESUS' time were expecting a Messiah.  This, however, was not always the case.  From Abraham to David, the Israelites were looking for the land promised by GOD and they conquered it.  After David, they thought that a better king could not be found and, during the two and a half centuries that followed, they hoped only that their present and future kings would resemble David.  The very promise that GOD made to David about his descendants [2 Samuel 7:14] was not understood as the announcement of a future Messiah.

Isaiah is the first to announce the Messiah, namely, a king like David but better.  Here he is presented as a shoot coming from the stump, once the tree has been felled.  Thus, he suggests that the present kings, who are sinners and without much faith, will disappear.  More than a descendant of David, Emmanuel will be a new David [he is called son of Jesse like David].

The spirit of the LORD will rest on HIM as it did on the prophets and more so.  The prophets were inspired by a mysterious power called "Spirit of GOD," but not at all times.  In HIM, the Spirit would dwell always.

- a spirit of wisdom and intelligence, as Solomon had;

- a spirit of prudence and strength, like David's;

- a spirit of knowledge and respect for the LORD, as Moses and the Patriarchs had.

To do justice for the meek was and continues to be the first function of sovereigns.  The Messiah-King would be GOD's deputy, attentive to the poor, and HE must receive the Spirit, or Breath of GOD for this endeavor.  We must not see material liberation as opposed to spiritual liberation as if believers were to let others build a more just world.  GOD's work that saves persons, can never be separated from educating people: it demands the repression of the oppressors and ruling in the fear of the LORD.

It would be wrong to think that, with CHRIST, this longing for justice was finished.  The love and forgiveness that JESUS proclaims bring about the salvation of humankind through truth, justice and shared food.  Should we forget these requirements, "spiritual" and naïve love would be nothing but an illusion.

The renewal of GOD's people will be manifested in nature: the lion will eat hay.  To put this in modern terms: thanks to technology and a greater cooperation between people, nature's hostile forces will be placed at the service of humankind. 

Beginning with Isaiah, the prophets will see the Messiah, or the future king anointed by GOD, as a man of the Spirit.  When the spirit of GOD is conferred on believers through the sacrament of confirmation, the church recalls  the spirit of wisdom, intelligence, strength, etc.)

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No One In Israel Have Such Faith

"When JESUS entered Capernaum, an army captain approached HIM, to ask HIS help, 'Sir, my servant lies sick at home.  He is paralyzed and suffers terribly.'  JESUS said to him, 'I will come and heal him.'

The captain answered, 'I am not worthy to have YOU under my roof.  Just give an order and my boy will be healed.  For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers.  And if I say to one, 'Go!' he goes; and if I say to another, 'Come!' he comes; and if I say to my servant, 'Do this!' he does it.'

When JESUS heard this, HE was astonished; and said to those who were following HIM, 'I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel.  I say to you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.'" - Matthew 8:5-11 

The Faith Of The Centurion

(The captain of a foreign army earned the esteem of the Jews.  The amazing thing was not that he should have contributed to the building of the synagogue, but rather that the Jews should have accepted it from him.  He must have been a good man.  He knew the Jews' prejudices too well to have dared to personally approach this JESUS of whom they spoke.  Indeed, up to what point did JESUS share HIS compatriots' pride?  Would HE respond to the petition of a Roman official?  That was why HE sent HIS Jewish friends to JESUS.

The man is really troubled: will JESUS consent to go to a pagan's house and "become impure"? [John 18:28].  The captain goes one step further: JESUS does not have to come to his house.  While other sick people seek to be touched by the Master thinking that JESUS possesses some healing power, this man, has instead grasped that JESUS has the very power of GOD and does not need to go to the sick servant: it would not be any more difficult to give a command from a distance to a life that was slipping away.)

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