Be Made Clean

"When JESUS came down from the mountain, large crowds followed HIM.

Then a leper came forward.  He knelt before HIM and said, 'Sir, if YOU want to, YOU can make me clean.'  JESUS stretched out HIS hand, touched him, and said, 'I want to, be clean again.'  At that very moment, the man was cleansed from his leprosy.  Then JESUS said to him, 'See that you do not tell anyone; but go to the priest, have yourself declared clean, and offer the gift that Moses commanded as evidence for them.'" - Matthew 8:1-4 

(In this new section of his Gospel [8:1-9:35] Matthew has placed a collection of miracles.  For him, these miracles are not only extraordinary events: they contain lessons on what a disciple of JESUS is.  To begin with: the cure of a leper; on the part of JESUS this is an act of courage, and an act that openly violates the law of purity [see Mark 1:40].)

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Upon This Rock I Will Build MY Church

"After that, JESUS came to Caesarea Philippi.  HE asked HIS disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'  They said, "For some of them, YOU are John the Baptist; for others Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.'

JESUS asked them, 'But you, who do you say I AM?'  Peter answered, 'YOU are the Messiah, the Son of the living GOD.'  JESUS replied, 'It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you, but MY FATHER in heaven.

And now I say to you: You are Peter; and on this Rock I will build MY Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.'" - Matthew 16:13-19 

(One parable of the kingdom of GOD already foretold the Church [Matthew 13:31-33].  This present text openly refers to the Church.

- it tells us what its foundation is: faith in JESUS, the CHRIST and Son of GOD;

- it focuses on the primacy of Peter among all the apostles;

- it suggests that the Church will always need a visible head.  This is the successor of Peter, the pope.

Faith in the Son of GOD, which Peter, among the apostles is the first to proclaim, really comes from GOD.  This faith is not a human opinion, or a sentimental attachment.  It does not come from flesh and blood, an expression that for the Jews meant what is purely human, what a human being does and understands by his own capacity.  The words with which JESUS greets Peter, it is well for you Simon Barjona, are true for all the believers.  For it is the FATHER who has chosen us and has brought us to CHRIST: see John 6:37; 6:44.

Next, the primacy of Peter is emphasized.  His name was Simon, but JESUS gave him this surname of Rock, foreseeing that he would be for HIS Church a foundation rock [John 1:40].  This change of his name attests that a mission is given to him as happened to Abraham and Jacob [Genesis 17:5 and 32:19].  Other texts attest to the leadership and faith of Peter: Matthew 10:2; 14:28; 17:25; Luke 5:8-10; 22:32; John 6:68; 21:15-19.

For the Jews, to bind and to unbind meant to state what is forbidden and what is allowed.  So Peter and his successors will have the last word about what is, or is not, the faith of the Church.

The recognition of this mission of Peter's successor, however, does not mean that his word drowns all other voices in a silent Church, or that his authority justifies a structure that might crush life.

This text does not contradict other statements of the Gospel that are equally important, where the basis of the Church is a "college" of apostles, where nothing is done without dialogue.  Peter is the "door keeper" [Mark 13:34] but he is neither "Master" nor "Father" [Matthew 23:9].

His authority is only genuine in a Church where all have the right to express themselves, where the leaders are not only imposed, but also accepted.

The powers of death.  The text says "the gates of Hades."  "Gates" here signifies "Power"; as for Hades, it designates the netherworld, the world of the dead and demonic powers.  Even if deathly strength tried to crush the Church, or sow there the seed of corruption it would not be prevented from accomplishing its mission of salvation.  A part of Revelation [Revelation 12-17 depicts such a confrontation.

The fact that Peter is the foundation of the Church does not contradict other verses that say that its basis is the Twelve apostles [Ephesians 2:20 and Revelation 21:14].  They also receive the power to bind or loose in John 20:21, but in this case it refers clearly to the forgiveness of sins.)

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By Their Fruits You Will Know Them

"Beware of false prophets: they come to you in sheep's clothing; but inside, they are voracious wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits.  Do you ever pick grapes from thorn bushes; or figs, from thistles?

A good tree always produces good fruit.  A rotten tree produces bad fruit.  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit; and a rotten tree cannot bear good fruit.  Any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So then, you will know them by their fruit."- Matthew 7:1520 

(Most probably Matthew gives us these words of JESUS for the benefit of certain believers in the early Church who considered themselves as charismatic prophets.  They may well have received gifts of the Spirit but have degenerated since then.  In a wider sense JESUS' words address all who encourage division, untruth and violence, even when they pretend to serve a just cause. 

Prophets wore a sheepskin by way of a cloak: a wolf would hide in one.  The world has always had a number of "false prophets," usually prophets of easy life, and if the word of GOD condemns them, many would say that their words have been misinterpreted.  It would be well however to ask ourselves why our holy and sacred liberalism tends to sow death in all domains and smothers in so many the ability to believe and hope.

Do you ever pick grapes from thorn bushes?  JESUS invites us to look at the facts before coming to conclusions.  We find it hard to carefully observe the reality in which we live.  We prefer to discuss and debate about ideas rather than to analyze particular situations.  JESUS, accustomed to manual labor, distrusts ideas and theories.)

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Enter Through The Narrow Gate!

"Enter through the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the road, that leads to destruction, and many go that way.  How narrow is the gate that leads to life; and how rough, the road; few there are, who find it." - Matthew 7:13-14 

(Enter through the narrow gate.  Maybe someone was asking JESUS: "Who, then, can be saved?" [Matthew 19:25].  In no instance did JESUS say whether those who would share in eternal life would be many or few.  HE did say many times that very few would be chosen from among the many called.  That means that among the many people privileged to meet HIM, very few would experience the Gospel's riches and bring forth fruit in themselves and for others.  The chosen or approved are those who persevere and strive for perfect freedom.

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many go that way.  They stray from leading a life in which JESUS is everything for them.  They waste the gifts of GOD entrusted to them and apparently become useless for the kingdom.  Yet, even so, they are not deprived of GOD's mercy.)

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Stop Judging

"Do not judge; and you will not be judged.  In the same way you judge others, you will be judged; and the measure you use for others will be used for you.  Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, and not see the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, 'Come, let me take the speck from your eye,' as long as that plank is in your own?  Hypocrite, remove the plank out of your own eye; then, you will see clearly, to remove the speck out of your brother's eye." - Matthew 7:1-5 

(No doubt when JESUS spoke these words it was with the same meaning as in 5:43.  Usually those who consider themselves as good, or belonging to the group of the converted, judge and criticize those of a different standing.  It is a form of pride that spiritual authors call the "fault of beginners."  So strongly inscribed is it in human nature that many among the "just" of the Scriptures have expressed their disapproval of the "sinner" who did not observe the Law of GOD.  Contrariwise the new law tells us not to consider ourselves superior or be judges of those who take a different road, or who are led by GOD to do so.  Do not judge.  We must exercise good judgment in order to distinguish between the good and evil around us.  Though it is a factor of success never to displease anyone, we must have the courage to tell others the wrong that they do.  Here "to judge" means to condemn.

When we look at our own lives, we realize that those who helped us grow were those who supported and understood us, not those who judged and condemned us.

Do not judge.  See Romans 2:1; 14:4; Corinthians 5:12; James 4:11.)

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Fear No One

"There is nothing covered that will not be uncovered.  There is nothing hidden that will not be made known.  What I AM telling you in the dark, you must speak in the light.  What you hear in private, proclaim from the housetops.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but have no power to kill the soul.  Rather, be afraid of HIM who can destroy both body and soul in hell.  For a few cents you can buy two sparrows.  Yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your FATHER knowing.  As for you, every hair of your head has been counted.  Do not be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows!

Whoever acknowledges ME before others, I will acknowledge before MY FATHER in heaven.  Whoever rejects ME before others, I will reject before MY FATHER in heaven." - Matthew 10:26-33 

(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.

Whoever acknowledges ME.  After stressing the sovereign power of HIS FATHER, JESUS puts HIMSELF on the same level.  HE will decide our eternal fate.  JESUS refers not only to recognizing HIM in the ultimate sense, that is, by not denying our Christian faith before others; HIS words also convey a day-by-day demand.  We must not be ashamed to act or talk as people of faith, to go public about our Christian convictions when necessary.)

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John Heralded HIS Coming

"After that time, GOD removed him and raised up David as king, to whom HE bore witness saying: I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after MY own heart, who will do all I want him to do.

It is from the descendants of David that GOD has now raised up the promised Savior of Israel, JESUS.  Before HE appeared, John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for all the people of Israel.  As John was ending his life's work, he said: 'I am not what you think I am, for, after me, another one is coming, whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.'

Brothers, children and descendants of Abraham, and you, also, who fear GOD, it is to you that this message of salvation has been sent." - Acts 13:22-26 

('I am not what you think I am, for, after me, another one is coming, whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.'  The coming of the Messiah, CHRIST JESUS.)

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You Will Find Rest

"On that occasion, JESUS said, 'FATHER, LORD of heaven and earth, I praise YOU; because YOU have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to simple people.  Yes, FATHER, this was YOUR gracious will.

Everything has been entrusted to ME by MY FATHER.  No one knows the SON except the FATHER; and no one knows the FATHER except the SON, and those to whom the SON chooses to reveal HIM.

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 11:25-30 

(JESUS prayer impressed the disciples.  In this text it is a short prayer, prompted by the most recent events; events and daily life are also a source of prayer.

YOU have hidden these things.  Intelligent people are not excluded from the faith, of course, but it is the glory of GOD that faith should not seem to be the privilege of the wise and the intelligent; human wisdom never gives what is essential and often hides it.  There were in Palestine at the time some wise people and many others who pretended to be so, but they were rarely seen among the disciples of JESUS,

Everything has been entrusted to ME.  GOD does what is needed for people to have always and in all places thousands of ways of knowing HIM.  In this life it is only through JESUS that we have the revelation of the FATHER.

Must we translate "learn from ME for I AM..." or "learn from ME that I AM..."?  The humility of JESUS reveals to us the humility of GOD who never seeks to put us down or intimidate us, but instead always wants to raise us to HIM.  Such humility does not prevent HIM from being GOD, and HE may exact everything from us because HE does not use external force: HIS influence reaches to the depths of our heart.  See Luke 10:21.

Come to ME.  I will not relieve 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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YOUR Works, O LORD, Are Justice And Truth

"Alleluia!

I thank YAHWEH with all my heart

in the council of the just, in the assembly.

The works of YAHWEH are great

and pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are HIS deeds,

HIS righteousness endures forever.

HE lets us remember HIS wondrous deeds;

YAHWEH is merciful and kind.

Always mindful of HIS Covenant,

HE provides food for those who fear HIM.

HE shows HIS people the power of HIS arm

by giving them the lands of other nations.

The works of HIS hands are faithful and just,

trustworthy are all HIS precepts,

ordained to last forever,

bearers of truth and uprightness."

- Psalm 111:1-8

(This is an alphabetical acrostic--each successive line begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.  It is only to be expected that there is not much logical development of thought.  It is more a series of separate reflections on the idea of reverence, 'awe' and 'fear' for GOD: but reverence for GOD who has saved us, bound HIMSELF to us in a covenant, and gives us food for soul and body.  The great works and wonders that HE performed revealed GOD's very SELF.

Praising GOD for everything is the ultimate word of creation, the final 'alleluia' to which we unite our voices, when we pray with this psalm: 'To HIM belongs everlasting praise.')

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GOD Loves A Cheerful Giver

"Remember: the one who sows meagerly will reap meagerly, and there shall be generous harvests for the one who sows generously.  Each of you should give as you decided personally, and not reluctantly, as if obliged.  GOD loves a cheerful giver.  And GOD is able to fill you with every good thing, so that you have enough of everything, at all times, and may give abundantly for any good work.

Scripture says: HE distributed, HE gave to the poor, HIS good works last forever.  GOD, who provides the sower with seed, will also provide him with the bread he eats.  HE will multiply the seed for you and also increase the interest of your good works.  Become rich in every way, and give abundantly.  What you give will become, through us, a thanksgiving to GOD." - 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 

(This is the repetition of the theme in Chapter 8--the liberality and the greatness of generous giving; of the blessed work of grace.  It is more a gift for the one who gives than for the one who receives.)

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May You Excel In Gracious Act

"Now, I want you to know about a gift of divine grace among the Churches of Macedonia.  While they were so afflicted and persecuted, their joy overflowed, and their extreme poverty turned into a wealth of generosity.  According to their means--even beyond their means--they wanted to share, in helping the saints.

They ask us for this favor, spontaneously, and with much insistence, and, far beyond anything we expected, they put themselves at the disposal of the LORD, and of us by the will of GOD.  Accordingly, I urged Titus to complete, among you, this work of grace, since he began it with you.  You excel in everything: in the gifts of faith, speech and knowledge; you feel concern for every cause and, besides, you are first in my heart.  Excel, also, in this generous service.

This is not a command; I make known to you the determination of others, to check the sincerity of your fraternal concern.  You know well, the generosity of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD.  Although HE was rich, HE made HIMSELF poor, to make you rich, through HIS poverty." - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 

(The saints are the Christians of Jerusalem.  In the year 48 there was a famine in Judea and in Jerusalem [Acts 11:28] due to the poor harvest of the previous year, a sabbatical year [during which the Jews did not sow so that the earth could rest].  To remedy this situation of shortage, economic aid for the Christians of Jerusalem was organized.  Later, Paul promised to keep the Jerusalem community in mind during his missions among the pagans [Galatians 2:10].  Here, Paul exhorts the Churches in Corinth and in the province to take up this collection that they had agreed upon.

Paul does not use the word collection in these chapters.  Instead he speaks of the liberality and the greatness of generous giving; of the blessed work of grace.  It is more a gift for the one who gives than for the one who receives.

Paul takes great care that the collection, involving large amounts, should be duly taken up.  It must be collected and held by people who enjoy the confidence of the community.)

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Give To The One Who Asks Of You

"You have heard, that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other.  If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give him your coat as well.  If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him.  Give when asked, and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you." - Matthew 5:38-42 

(An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  We read this in the Scriptures because in the world of that time it was a wholesome maxim [Deuteronomy 19:18-21].  It claimed to put a limit to the thirst for vengeance and reminded judges and the community itself of the duty to defend its members against those who abuse the weak.

Do not oppose evil with evil.  JESUS asks us to approach an adversary in the same way as this adversary may be approaching us: who is the wicked one?

Offer the other cheek: be the first to be free of the web of violence.  As in judo, surprise the other by making the very move he was not expecting: he may then see that he was mistaken.  JESUS has no doubt that this renunciation of violence and of our own interests obliges the FATHER to intervene and come to our aid.  Do not forget that JESUS wants us to "see GOD" at work in our lives.

If someone forces you to go one mile.  JESUS speaks to farmers who are humiliated and oppressed by foreign armies.  Many times they are obliged to carry the burden of the soldiers.  Their usual reaction is resigned  submission concealing hatred and desire for revenge.  Would they be capable of responding to such a counsel?  It is certain that had they practiced it, they might have saved their nation from destruction.)

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We, Though Many, Are One Body

"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a communion with the blood of CHRIST?  And the bread that we break, is it not a communion with the body of CHRIST?  The bread is one, and so we, though many, form one body, sharing the one bread." - 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 

 (And the bread that we break, is it not a communion with the body of CHRIST?  Paul will return to speak of the Eucharist in 11:18.  This communion through the body and blood of the Risen CHRIST, besides being a personal encounter with CHRIST, makes all of us one body.  We form one body.  This does not only mean that we feel united, but that the Risen CHRIST unites us to HIMSELF and, so doing, gives the community new strength.)

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Do Not Swear By Your Head

"You have also heard that people were told in the past: Do not break your oath; an oath sworn to the LORD must be kept.  But I tell you this: do not take oaths.  Do not swear by the heavens, for they are GOD's throne; nor by the earth, because it is HIS footstool; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great king.  Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.  Let your 'Yes" mean 'Yes" and your 'No' mean 'No.'  Anything else you say comes from the evil one." - Matthew 5:33-37 

(Do not take oaths.  This sentence must not be understood: "You shall never take an oath", but: "In a general way, don't take oaths."

Many invoke the name of GOD on any occasion.  Is it because they truly know HIM and have HIM in mind?  If we use HIS name casually, it is because we do not experience the weight of HIS presence.  What a lack of respect to call on GOD to testify to our sincerity when we do not even recognize all that is false and unclean within us!

Anything else you say comes from the devil, and even the preoccupation of defending and justifying oneself in the eyes of others.  See also Matthew 24:16; James 5:12.)

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Treasure In Earthen Vessels

"However, we carry this treasure in vessels of clay, so that this all-surpassing power may not be seen as ours, but as GOD's.  Trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged.  We are left without answer, but do not despair; persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed.  At any moment, we carry, in our person, the death of JESUS, so, that, the life of JESUS may also be manifested in us.  For we, the living, are given up continually to death, for the sake of JESUS, so, that, the life of JESUS may appear in our mortal existence.  And as death is at work in us, life comes to you.

We have received the same spirit of faith referred to in Scripture, that says: I believed and so I spoke.  We also believe, and so we speak.  We know that HE, who raised the LORD JESUS, will also raise us, with JESUS, and bring us, with you, into HIS presence.  Finally, everything is for your good, so that grace will come more abundantly upon you, and great will be the thanksgiving for the glory of GOD." - 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 

(We carry this treasure in vessels of clay.  Usually, GOD carries out HIS plans by using inadequate instruments.  Graham Greene became famous for his book "The Power And The Glory" in which we see a priest achieving heroic things despite his many personal faults.

For we, the living, are given up continually to death.  The apostle's death is necessary so that his work may live.  When a good job has been done in one sector of the Church, there has to come the hour of persecution, or of obedience to leaders whose authority we cannot reject, in spite of the fact that they may be unjust or mistaken.  Nothing grows without having died first.)

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The Glory Of The LORD Will Dwell In Our Land

"Would, that I hear GOD's proclamation,

that HE promise peace to HIS people,

HIS saints--lest they come back to their folly.

Yet, HIS salvation is near to those who fear HIM,

and HIS glory will dwell in our land.

Love and faithfulness have met;

righteousness and peace have embraced.

Faithfulness will reach up from the earth

while justice bends down from heaven.

YAHWEH will give what is good,

and our land will yield its fruit.

Justice will go before HIM,

and peace will follow along HIS path."

- Psalm 85:9-14

Israelites Captivity In Babylon

(This psalm, written when the Israelites had returned from captivity in Babylon, adopts the most universal terms of the human vocabulary: liberty, life, joy, salvation, love, justice, peace, and happiness.  This return of the exiled Jews, however, was only one step toward authentic liberation.  Nothing is definitive and each phase in the realization of GOD's plan, leads us to another stage.  GOD's people are forever being called to go further ahead.  Even the actual reign of the risen CHRIST and the work of salvation accomplished by the Church are only an image of the eternal kingdom.  GOD loves our earth.  When we feel troubled and discouraged by what is ugly around us, let us come back to the declaration of this psalm: YOU have favored YOUR land, O LORD, justice bends down from heaven; glory will dwell in our land.  Salvation comes from GOD, but is brought by a man, CHRIST, freely welcomed by a woman in the name of humanity.  With the Incarnation, it is not possible to believe in GOD, without believing in humankind.)

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Holy Is The LORD Our GOD

"Extol YAHWEH, our GOD; worship at HIS footstool.  Holy is HE? And might!

Among HIS priests were Moses and Aaron; and Samuel, among those who called on HIS name.  They called to YAHWEY, and HE answered them.

In the pillar of cloud HE spoke to them; and they kept HIS statutes and the decrees HE gave them.

O YAHWEH our GOD, YOU responded to them; YOU were a patient GOD for them; but YOU punished their wrongs.

Extol YAHWEH our GOD, worship at HIS holy mountain.  Holy is YAHWEH our GOD."

- Psalm 99:5-9

(Our GOD is Almighty, infinitely above our world--but not remote from it.  On HIS word, the world depends.  HIS law is the rule of life.  And the Church is the place of contact between the Holy GOD and people called to be holy.

Holiness does not mean evasion from the world, but commitment to it.  Those who pray this psalm, desire the Name of GOD to be sanctified and the world to be transformed by divine holiness.)

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HE Has Also Put HIS Seal Upon Us

"GOD knows that our dealing with you is not Yes and No, just as the Son of GOD, CHRIST JESUS, whom we--Silvanus, Timothy and I--preach to you, was not Yes and No; with HIM it was simply Yes.  In HIM all the promises of GOD have come to be a Yes, and we also say in HIS name: Amen! giving thanks to GOD.  GOD, HIMSELF, has anointed us and strengthens us, with you, to serve CHRIST; HE has marked us with HIS own seal, in a first outpouring of the Spirit, in our hearts." - 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 

(In HIM all the promises of GOD have come to be a Yes.  GOD fulfilled HIS promises when HE sent HIS Son among us.  CHRIST also did only what HIS FATHER wanted.  Thus, CHRIST is a 'Yes' consenting to the FATHER's plan.  From there, Paul draws the consequences for Christians.  In baptism we say the first Yes to CHRIST.  At every Eucharist we repeat the same Yes.  The "Amen" that we say in prayers means Yes, it is true.  The opposite of all this is sin which is the same as saying 'No' to CHRIST.

In a first outpouring.  Paul actually says HE gave us the first payment of the Spirit.)

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Our Hope For You Is Firm

"Paul, an apostle of CHRIST JESUS, by the will of GOD, and Timothy, our brother, to the Church of GOD in Corinth, and to all the saints in the whole of Achaia.  May you receive grace and peace from GOD, our FATHER, and from CHRIST JESUS, the LORD.

Blessed be GOD, the FATHER of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, the all-merciful FATHER, and the GOD of all comfort!  HE encourages us in all our trials, so that we may also encourage those in any trial, with the same comfort that we receive from GOD.

For whenever the sufferings of CHRIST overflow to us, so, through CHRIST, a great comfort also overflows.  So, if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we receive comfort it is also for you.  You may experience the same comfort when you come to endure the same sufferings we endure.  Our hope for you is most firm; just as you share in our sufferings, so shall you also share in our consolation." - 2 Corinthians 1:1-7

(From the very beginning, Paul describes his own situation as an apostle of CHRIST--wandering, persecuted, ill--to the Corinthians who know how to take it easy.  While they feel proud of their large community and look for brilliant preachers [as will be seen below], Paul shares in the passion of CHRIST.  Paul suggests that they too will know the true consolation of GOD when it is their turn to suffer for HIM.

The word comfort will often occur in this letter.  GOD would not be satisfied by just teaching us resignation: comfort is the experience of the presence of GOD, but relies in part on the signs that show HIM acting among us.  The two go together.  JESUS told us to ask so that GOD would answer and HIS responses would be a source of joy [John 15:24].  In any case, GOD does not free us of trials but gives strength and perseverance to overcome them.)

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The Love Of GOD Be With All Of You

"Finally, brothers and sisters, be happy, strive to be perfect, have courage, be of one mind and live in peace.  And the GOD of love and peace will be with you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the saints greet you.

The grace of CHRIST JESUS the LORD, the love of GOD and the fellowship of the HOLY SPIRIT be with you all." - 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 

(Paul ends his letter in affirming his authority.  JESUS had spoken of a testimony coming both from the apostles and the Holy Spirit; in the same way Paul ends his defense appealing to a discernment which will be the work of the Spirit: verify, examine, recognize.  Without a doubt it should be the same in the Church and at all levels; we cannot resolve conflicts or decide on orientation by arguments or votes only.  We must necessarily have, besides reflection, times of silence, of true prayer and listening to the word of GOD.

Notice the "trinitarian" formula in 13:13.)

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This Poor Widow Put In More

"JESUS sat down opposite the temple treasury, and watched the people dropping money into the treasury box; and many rich people put in large offerings.  But a poor widow also came and dropped in two small coins.

Then, JESUS called HIS disciples and said to them, 'Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those who gave offerings.  For all of them gave from their plenty; but she gave from her poverty, and put in everything she had, her very living.'" - Mark 12:41-44 

(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.  The humble person is capable of sacrificing part of his paid time to study or participate in common activities in order to help his companions.  The small salary he loses is worth much more than the big salary that wealthy people are not willing to lose.  GOD calls on the poor before anybody else, because only the poor give all that they have to live on.)

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The Great Crowd Heard With Delight

"As JESUS was teaching in the in the temple, HE said, 'The teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the Son of David.  How can that be?  For David, himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared: The LORD said to my LORD, 'Sit at MY right hand, until I put YOUR enemies under YOUR feet!'  If David, himself, calls HIM LORD, in what way can HE be his Son?'

Many people came to JESUS, and listened to HIM gladly." - Mark 12:35-37 

(Whose Son is the CHRIST?)

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You Are Not Far From The Kingdom Of GOD

"A teacher of the law had been listening to this discussion and admired how JESUS answered them.  So he came up and asked HIM, 'Which commandment is the first of all?'

JESUS answered, 'The first is: Hear, Israel!  The LORD, our GOD, is One LORD; and you shall love the LORD, your GOD, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.  And after this comes a second commandment: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no commandment greater than these two.'

The teacher of the law said to HIM, 'Well spoken, Master, you are right when you say that HE is one, and there is no other besides HIM.  To love HIM with all our heart, with all our understanding and with all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves is more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice.'

JESUS approved this answer and said, 'You are not far from the kingdom of GOD.'  And after that, no one dared to ask HIM any more questions." - Mark 12:28-34

 

(You shall love the LORD, your GOD.  This first commandment is not among the Ten Commandments of Moses, which only speak of "serving GOD."  We do read it in Deuteronomy 6:4.

To love GOD is not a commandment like others, because the commandments show specific actions that should be undertaken or avoided, i.e., you shall rest on the day of the LORD, or you shall not commit adultery.  On the other hand, when it comes to loving GOD there is no limit.  Nevertheless, it is necessary to teach the commandments of the Scriptures [especially the Ten Commandments of Moses] to children and unscrupulous persons.  Paul says, "The law was not intended for the good, but for those who do evil" [1 Timothy 1:9].

It is the reason why the love of GOD is not presented in the New Testament as a commandment, but as the fruit of the Spirit that GOD gives to HIS sons and daughters: Romans 8, 15 and 22.  GOD is the first to be loved [Matthew 6:9-10; 1 John 4:17] most especially in the person of HIS Son: 2 Corinthians 5:16; 1 Peter 1:8.  There is no  authentic love of neighbor without the love of GOD: 1 John 5:2.

You shall love the LORD, with all your heart.  You shall love HIM more than you love your loved ones.  You shall long for HIM, you shall forget yourself so that, in everything, you search for what HE wants most from you.

You shall love the LORD, with all your mind.   You shall devote the best of your intelligence to knowing HIM.  Looking into your own life, you shall understand how the kingdom of GOD is coming through world and daily events.  Praying and reading the Scriptures regularly, you shall ask GOD to give you HIS own Spirit so that you may understand HIM better.

You shall love the LORD with all your strength.  Since you are very weak in this, you shall ask for HIS help and strive to unite with the true servants of GOD, using the means that the Church makes available to you.

The commandment to love your neighbor as you love yourself comes second, because it cannot be understood or fulfilled without love of GOD.  For GOD asks for more than solidarity with one's neighbor, or concern for those who are suffering.  We should make an effort to look at our brothers and sisters in the same way that the FATHER does.  We should give them what the FATHER wants for them.  Among so many good things we could do for our neighbor, we should select those that the Holy Spirit inspires us to do.  All this requires that we first know and love GOD.)

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HE Is GOD Of The Living

"The Sadducees also came to JESUS.  Since they claim that there is no resurrection, they questioned HIM in this way, 'Master, in the Scriptures Moses gave us this law: If anyone dies and leaves a wife but no children, his brother must take the woman, and, with her, have a baby, who will be considered the child of his deceased brother.  Now, there were seven bothers.  The first married the wife, but he died without leaving any children.  The second took the wife, and he also died, leaving no children.  The same thing happened to the third.  In fact, all seven brothers died, leaving no children.  Last of all, the woman died.  Now, in the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife?  For all seven brothers had her as wife?'

JESUS replied, 'Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of GOD?  When they rise from the dead, men and women do not marry, but are like the angels in heaven.

Now, about the resurrection of the dead, have you never had thoughts about the burning bush in the book of Moses?  GOD said to Moses: I AM the GOD of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac and the GOD of Jacob.  HE is the GOD, not of the dead, but of the living.  You are totally wrong.'" - Mark 12:18-27

Moses And The Burning Bush

(Mark's intention has been to put side by side the confrontations of JESUS with the two most important parties of the Jewish people: the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  The Sadducees--the chief priests--are the managers of GOD 's people.  They do not believe in the spiritual nor in the resurrection.  According to them these are disastrous innovations that weaken the national spirit and the power of the central system.  The Hebrew Bible is limited to the Pentateuch where much is said of priests and nothing at all about resurrection.

What is "resurrection"?  When JESUS called the daughter of Jairus [Mark 5:21] and Lazarus [John 11:1] back to life, they only recovered the life they had before.  The daughter went back to her dreams, Lazarus went to work in his garden and after this both had to die again.  This was not really resurrection.

Many people think that there is 'something" after death and that something in us, called "soul", survives.  This belief is partly true but it is not the most important aspect.  The resurrection points, not to a survival of "something of us," but to a transformation and raising up of our whole person.  This will be through grace and the work of GOD: we will be reborn of GOD HIMSELF.

We would like to know what we shall be once risen, but that is impossible.  If we think back on what Paul tried to make us understand on this subject in 1 Corinthians 15:35-57, this we must admit: as long as we are in the present world, a world where material things and time are our natural lot, it is impossible to imagine "the new heavens and the new earth" announced by the prophets and by JESUS [Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1-4].

Let us come back to Paul's comparisons: if someone has never seen more than the seeds of plants or trees, how could she imagine the plant covered with flowers or the tree fully grown?  What common feature is there in appearance between the colorless, lifeless little seed and the plant with its flowers swaying in the wind?  Whoever looks at the tree or plant knows well the source of this life that she admires.  It is today impossible for us to imagine what we shall become, in the totality of our human being, after the transfiguration to which GOD calls us.  When it has taken place we shall understand the vital link between what we shall be then and what we are today.

With this, we understand the double reproach of JESUS to the Sadducees.

You do not understand the power of GOD.  They only imagine a caricature of the resurrection.

You do not understand the Scriptures.  Very few books of the Hebrew Bible speak of the Resurrection, but all of them refer to a living GOD who makes us HIS friends.

I AM the GOD of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac and the GOD of Jacob.  If GOD committed HIMSELF to them, could HE be indifferent to their death and let them disappear forever, while HE enjoys HIMSELF in HIS glory?)

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"Why Are You Testing ME?"

“They sent to JESUS some Pharisees with members of Herod’s party, with the purpose of trapping HIM by HIS own words. They came and said to JESUS, ‘Master, we know that YOU are truthful; YOU are not influenced by anyone, and YOUR answers do not vary according to who is listening to YOU, but YOU truly teach GOD’s way. Tell us, is it against the law to pay taxes to Caesar?  Should we pay them or not?’

But JESUS saw through their trick and answered, ‘Why are you testing ME? Bring ME a silver coin and let ME see it.’ They brought HIM one and JESUS asked, ‘Whose image is this, and whose name?’ They answered, “Caesar’s.’ Then JESUS said, ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to GOD, what is GOD’s.’

And they were greatly astonished.” – Mark 12:13-17 

(The trap is as follows: they ask about the tax that the Jews are obliged to pay to Caesar, emperor of Rome, for the Jews have been colonized by the Romans and are under their rule. 

The Pharisees and partisans of Herod, who are political enemies, join together.  The Pharisees oppose Roman domination; the partisans of Herod, on the other hand, accept it.  If JESUS says they are to pay, the Pharisees will discredit HIM before the people.  If HE says no, the partisans of Herod will have HIM arrested by the Romans.

JESUS does not condemn Roman imperialism, nor does HE justify it.  Is it because the problems of justice and peace are not "spiritual things" and do not concern HIM?

These problems, of course, are important and biblical history reveals that GOD wants liberty for every person and for nations the possibility to develop culture and national life: that is enough to justify the political commitment of Christians.

But JESUS also knows that people's true liberation goes beyond partisan quarrels and rivalries.  In HIS time the Jewish people were torn apart and divided into irreconcilable factions; these were to be one of the causes of the national disaster during the great revolt of A.D. 66-71.  JESUS will invite HIS adversaries to give political life its true place and not to confuse faith and religious fanaticism.

For the Pharisees, to pay taxes to Caesar, a foreign ruler and pagan, was like denying GOD, the true LORD of Israel.  They identified the Jewish National Party with the cause of GOD.  This carried grave consequences, since they thought that to serve GOD they must crush those of the opposition party.  Since faith asks of us total obedience, people who confuse political militancy with faith begin to justify, little by little, everything their party does, even its lies and crimes.

The Caesar of Rome was not GOD, although he pretended to be.  He had imposed his authority on them and the use of Roman coins, but could not demand the obedience of conscience that was due only to GOD.  Neither was he "the enemy of GOD," as the Pharisees thought, and to serve the kingdom of GOD it was not necessary to refuse him taxes and civil obedience.

What is Caesar's can be understood: "what belongs to Caesar."  Rather it means: "the kind of things which fall under his rule."  With HIS answer "to Caesar what belongs to him, to GOD..."  JESUS separates religion and politics in cultures--Jewish and Roman alike--where politics always looked for religious justification.  From now on, religion should not be manipulated for political purposes, nor should religion confuse its political opponents with the enemies of the kingdom.)

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