Like A Yeast That A Woman Took

"And JESUS continued, 'What is the kingdom of GOD like?  What shall I compare it to?  Imagine a person who has taken a mustard seed, and planted it in his garden.  The seed has grown, and become like a small tree, so that the birds of the air shelter in its branches.' 

And JESUS said again, 'What is the kingdom of GOD like?  Imagine a woman who has taken yeast, and hidden it in three measures of flour, until it is all leavened.'" - Luke 13:18-21

(At the conclusion of HIS Galilean ministry, JESUS invites optimism: although the results are few, a seed has been sown and the kingdom of GOD is growing.)

On-Site

On-Track

We Are Heirs Of GOD

"Then, brothers, let us leave the flesh and no longer live according to it.  If not, we will die.  Rather, walking in the spirit, let us put to death the body's deeds, so that we may live.

All those who walk in the Spirit of GOD are sons and daughters of GOD.  Then, no more fear: you did not receive a spirit of slavery, but the spirit that makes you sons and daughters, and every time, we cry, 'ABBA!  (this is Dad!) FATHER!' the Spirit assures our spirit, that we are sons and daughters of GOD.  If we are children, we are heirs, too.  Ours will be the inheritance of GOD, and we will share it with CHRIST; for, if we now suffer with HIM, we will also share glory with HIM." - Romans 8:12-17 

(Paul does not forget that others are less advanced than he is and still have to painfully conquer their liberty.  He does not tell them that the flesh is evil, but that we must put to death the works of the flesh: what we call mortification.

The Spirit that makes you sons and daughters.  The Greek text could be: "Spirit of adoption" but also "spirit of sons having all the rights of their father" [like in Galatians 4:5].  In no way does Paul want to emphasize the difference we often make by saying: "JESUS is the only Son, and we, adopted children".  Speaking like that, we place a barrier, slight though it be, between GOD and us, and the Gospel does not so desire, from the moment we have known the FATHER.

Those led by the Spirit tend towards what comes from the Spirit.  Then we begin to freely desire a new way of living in imitation of CHRIST.  The desires of the Spirit animate our life.  We experience them as an interior call, a security and a joy.

In following the desires of the Spirit we really feel free; this life, however, is demanding.  Each day we have to go a little further in putting to death the body's deeds, that is, everything that paralyzes us and makes us cling to this world.  Put to death: we call it "mortification."

The Spirit assures our spirit that we are sons and daughters of GOD.  Whoever lives in the spirit lives in the light.  While we remain firm in the teaching of CHRIST and share in the life of the Church, the Spirit gives us internal knowledge and joy in the things of GOD.  The Spirit guides us and inspires us each day showing us how to please GOD.)

On-Site
On-Track 

Serve The Living And True GOD

"The gospel we brought you was such, not only in words.  Miracles, the Holy Spirit, and plenty of everything, were given to you.  You, also, know how we dealt with you, for your sake.

In return, you became followers of us, and of the LORD, when, on receiving the word, you experienced the joy of the Holy Spirit, in the midst of great opposition.  And you became a model for the faithful of Macedonia and Achaia, since, from, you, the word of the LORD spread to Macedonia and Achaia, and still farther.  The faith you have in GOD has become news in so many places, that we need say no more about it.  Others tell, of how you welcomed us, and turned from idols, to the LORD.  For you serve the living and true GOD, and you wait for HIS Son, from heaven, whom HE raised from the dead, JESUS, who frees us from impending trial." - 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

 

(The gospel we brought you was such not only in words.  There were many signs, miracles and other manifestations in Thessalonica.  Perhaps GOD increased the signs in view of the coming persecution; since very soon there would not be many with adequate formation to orient the community.  In fact the Gospel cannot be proclaimed without GOD doing something to confirm it [Mark 16:17].  JESUS criticized those who came to HIM to see miracles, but HE performed miracles throughout HIS ministry.  Let us not say: "I do not need miracles to believe."  Human beings as we are, we will have quite a different enthusiasm if we see that GOD is beside us, doing the incredible to confirm HIS word.)

On-Site
On-Track    

You Are Members Of The Household Of GOD

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

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

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

On-Site

On-Track

I Do Not Do The Good I Want

"I know, that what is right, does not abide in me, I mean, in my flesh.  I can want to do what is right, but I am unable to do it.  In fact, I do not do the good I want, but the evil I hate.  Therefore, if I do what I do not want to do, I am not the one striving toward evil, but sin, which is in me.

I discover, then, this reality: though I wish to do what is right, the evil within me asserts itself first.  My inmost self, agrees and rejoices with the law of GOD, but I notice in my body, another law, challenging the law of the spirit, and delivering me, as a slave to the law of sin, written in my members.  Alas, for me!  Who will free me from this being, which is only death?  Let us give thanks to GOD through JESUS CHRIST, our LORD!

So, with my conscience, I am servant of the law of GOD, and with my mortal body, I serve the law of sin." - Romans 7:18-25 

(Paul describes the situation of the person who knows the commandments, but not the love of GOD.  He is not a liberated person, but a divided one.  Two opposing forces struggle within him; on one side the law that tells him what to do, and on the other another law in his flesh, that is, in his nature.  He is not really free.

There is something well disposed within human beings: the spirit; and something that resists the demands of duty: the flesh [see Mark 14:38].  The flesh does not mean the body; this word designates what in us is weak in face of duty and GOD's call to holiness. 

Our liberty is impotent when faced with sin, that is, it can do nothing against the forces of evil dragging down all humankind.  Dullness of spirit in our fellow workers, family problems, the general spread of pornography, selfishness and consumerism: the flesh within us becomes an accomplice in all these evils.

In this chapter Paul continues to play the role of the one who still does not know CHRIST and remains divided and enslaved.  The next chapter will deal with the opposition between the spirit and the flesh for those who believe in CHRIST.  For them there is a solution to their conflicts: they live in peace.  And so Paul ends crying out: who will free me...?  Thanks be to GOD.)

On-Site

On-Track  

Blessed Are They Who Hope In The LORD

"Blessed is the man

who does not go where the wicked gather,

or stand in the way of sinners,

or sit where the scoffers sit!

Instead, he finds delight in the law of YAHWEH

and meditates day and night

on  HIS commandments.

He is like a tree beside a brook

producing its fruit in due season,

its leaves never withering.

Everything he does is a success.

But it is different with the wicked.

They are like chaff

driven away by the wind.

The wicked will not stand when judgment comes,

nor the sinners when the righteous assemble.

For YAHWEH knows the way of the righteous

but cuts off the way of the wicked.

- Psalm 1:1-6

(The sharp contrast between the virtuous and the wicked is characteristic of the Hebrew thought and its uncompromising literary expression.  The psalmist was conscious of the mixture of good and bad in himself and in others around him.  As St. Paul said much later--and he spoke for everyone--'I can want to do what is right, but I am unable to do it' [Romans 7:18].  Aware of this tension in ourselves, we recite this psalm with a feeling of hypocrisy.  This is no proclamation of one's own virtue but a constant self-reminder that we all have a choice.  We may never reach the extremes either of virtue or of vice, but we are at every moment making for one or the other.  It is salutary to remind ourselves what the end of each road is.  It is better still to remember that we have a powerful companion along the virtuous road, but along the wicked one, we are alone.)

On -Site

On-Track

Slaves Of Righteousness

"Do not allow sin any control over your mortal bodies; do not submit yourselves to its evil inclinations, and do not give your members over to sin, as instruments to do evil.  On the contrary, offer yourselves, as persons returned from death to life, and let the members of your body be as holy instruments, at the service of GOD.  Sin will not lord it over you again, for you are not under the law, but under grace.

I ask again: are we to sin because we are not under the law, but under grace?  Certainly not.  If you have given yourselves up to someone as his slave, you are to obey the one who commands you, aren't you?  Now, with sin, you go to death, and by accepting faith, you go to the right way.  Let us give thanks to GOD, for, after having sin as your master, you have been given to another, that is, to the doctrine of faith, to which you listen willingly.  And being free from sin, you began to serve true righteousness--" - Romans 6:12-18 

(Do not allow sin any control over your mortal bodies.  The faithful although conscious of belonging totally to CHRIST, commit sins every day.  Their sins, however, do not deprive them of what is most important, trust in the FATHER, which allows them to stand up after each fall [1 John 2:1].  They know that they are and always will be sinners whom GOD forgives, as long as they try to amend and be better.  We achieve freedom day by day by voluntarily submitting to the requirements of a better life.)

On-Site
On-Track  

Blessed Are Those Servants

"Be ready, dressed for service, and keep your lamps lit, like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding.  As soon as he comes and knocks, they will open the door to him.  Happy are those servants whom the master  finds wide-awake when he comes.  Truly, I tell you, he will put on an apron, and have them sit at table, and he will wait on them.  Happy are those servants, if he finds them awake when he comes at midnight or daybreak!" - Luke 12:35-38

(JESUS develops the parable of the servant expecting his master's return.  This servant is here contrasted with the rich of the preceding paragraph [12:13] who was only concerned about a long and comfortable life.  The servant works for GOD.

Happy are those servants whom the master finds wide-awake.  Wide-awake, that is, concerned about tomorrow's world.  Wide-awake also means being aware of the truth; we do not consent to call "good" evil, and 'evil'  good; we do not forgive ourselves for allowing evil and we are not intimidated before injustice.) 

On-Site

On-Track

He Was Empowered By Faith

"He did not doubt, nor did he distrust the promise of GOD, and, by being strong in faith, he gave glory to GOD: he was convinced, that, HE who had given the promise, had power to fulfill it.

This was taken into account, for him to attain righteousness.  This was taken into account: these words of Scripture are not only for him, but for us, too, because we believe in HIM, who raised JESUS, our LORD, from among the dead, HE, who was delivered for our sins, and raised to life, for us to receive true righteousness." - Romans 4:20-25 

The Resurrection

(Abraham had a faith  similar to the Christian who believes in the resurrection of CHRIST.  We also are asked to believe in a GOD who gives life and for whom nothing is impossible.)

On-Site

On-Track 

I Have Called You By Your Name

"Thus says YAHWEH to HIS anointed, to Cyrus:

I have taken you by the right hand

to subdue nations before you

and strip kings of their armor,

to open the gateways before you

so that they will be closed no more.

I will go before you to level the slopes,

I will break the gates of brass

and destroy the iron bars;

I will give you treasures hidden in darkness

and riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I AM YAHWEH,

the GOD of Israel who calls you by your name.

For the sake of Jacob MY servant,

of Israel MY chosen one,

I have called you by your name

and given you your mission

although you do not know ME.

I AM YAHWEH, and there is no other;

there is no GOD besides ME.

I armed you when you did not know ME,

so that, from the rising

to the setting of the sun,

all may know

that there is no one besides ME;

I AM YAHWEH, and there is no other."

- Isaiah 45:1-6

Cyrus, The Conqueror

(A new message of the LORD to Cyrus, the conqueror, similar to the one in 41:25.

There is here something unique in the Scriptures: this pagan king is called the anointed one of YAHWEH, like the sons of David, and including CHRIST the "Anointed of GOD."  Incredible thing for the Jews who were accustomed to thinking of YAHWEH as only their GOD!  History tells us that Cyrus was a "father" to his people, and the Scriptures will remember that his first deed, after the capture of Babylon, was to restore freedom to all those living there is exile [see Ezra 1:1].

Here, however, the prophet gives praise only to GOD who infallibly orients our history and will never let HIS promises fail.)

On-Site

On-Track   

The Holy Spirit Will Teach You

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

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

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

(The one who criticizes the Son of Man.  JESUS allows HIMSELF to be criticized by those who do not understand HIM.  Many Pharisees of good faith did not understand JESUS and were scandalized by HIM.  This was excusable, but it is a different thing to call evil what is clearly good.

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

On-Site
On-Track 

He Has Reason To Boast

"Let us consider Abraham, our father in the flesh.  What has he found?  If Abraham attained righteousness because of his deeds, he could be proud.  But he cannot be this before GOD; because Scripture says: Abraham believed GOD, who took it into account, and held him to be a just man.

Now, when someone does a work, salary is not given as a favor, but as a debt that is paid.  Here, on the contrary, someone who has no deeds to show, but believes in HIM, who makes sinners righteous before HIM: such faith is taken into account, and that person is held as righteous.  David congratulates, in this way, those who become righteous, by the favor of GOD, and not by their actions: Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven and whose offenses are forgotten, blessed the one, whose sin GOD does not take into account!" - Romans 4:1-8 

(Paul then asks his Jewish brothers to go back to the sources of revelation.  Long before the law was given to Moses, there was the faith of Abraham.  That means that faith is both more fundamental and more universal.  The law, instead, is a form of religion proper to the Jews and of value only for a period of their history.  He asks: "How did Abraham become the friend of GOD and why he is taken as the model of believers?  Was it because he believed in GOD's promises, or because he had received the rite of circumcision?"  It is like asking a Christian today: "What is important, to believe in CHRIST, or to be baptized?"

The answer is clear; we become the friends of GOD by believing in HIS promises.  The rite of baptism ratifies with a divine seal the gift of GOD and our commitment to HIM.

Therefore, baptism and the other sacraments are the "signs" of faith and have no value without faith.  Baptism is the beginning of our living for GOD in the Christian community.  Communion has no meaning unless we live in unity and share the fullness of the life of the Church.

Worthy of notice is the fact that Christian people are now less concerned with rites and devotions that were so important to past generations.  At the same time renewal movements give more stress to essentials: our faith and surrender to GOD.)

On-Site

On-Track

With The LORD There Is Mercy, And Fullness Of Redemption

"Out of the depths I cry to YOU, O YAHWEH,

O YAHWEH, hear my voice!

Let YOUR ears pay attention

to the voice of my supplication.

If YOU should mark our evil,

O YAHWEH, who could stand?

But with YOU, is forgiveness,

and for that, YOU are revered.

I waited for YAHWEH, my soul waits;

and I put my hope in HIS word.

My soul expects YAHWEH

more than watchmen, the dawn."

- Psalm 130:1-6

Simeon Holding The Son Of Man, Infant JESUS

(The psalmist, aware of his people's faithfulness, is equally sure of GOD's answer to repentance [cf. Nehemiah 1:7-9].  Israel was still waiting, when Simeon took the child in his arms and said: 'My eyes have seen YOUR salvation [Luke 2:30].  He held the infant Son of Man, who came to give HIS life for the redemption of many [Mark 10:45]--'with the LORD, fullness of redemption.'  But since this has come, how can we Christians still await it?  How can we sing the psalm?  Because, though called, we are not yet chosen, though heirs, we do not yet enjoy the inheritance.  Out of these depths, our call must be constant and, if it is constant, it may be confident also.  And there are some whose waiting is a purifying fire.  This, more than any other, is their psalm.)

On-Site

On-Track

The LORD Stood By Me

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

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

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

(But the LORD was at my side, giving me strength, to proclaim the word fully, and let all the pagans hear it.  To preach the Word must be the first concern of the Church and of any church leader.

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

On-Site
On-Track 

The Pharisee Was Amazed

"As JESUS was speaking, a Pharisee asked HIM to have a meal with him.  So HE went and sat at table.  The Pharisee then wondered why JESUS did not first was HIS hands before dinner.  But the LORD said to him, 'So then, you Pharisees, you clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside yourselves you are full of greed and evil.  Fools!  He who made the outside, also made the inside.  But according to you, by the mere giving of alms everything is made clean." - Luke 11:37-41 

(Scripture does not demand these ritual purifications that Mark also mentions in 7:3, but the teachers of JESUS' time insisted that they were necessary.  JESUS rebels against these new religious obligations. Why do they not pay more attention to inner purification?

Then we read about the reproaches JESUS addressed to the Pharisees on various occasions.  If Luke like Matthew has kept these very hard words of JESUS, it was perhaps a reminder that the Gospel goes much further than the vision of the Pharisees, so concerned, as they claimed, for the service of GOD.  Some of them were part of the first Christian community, and were influential [Acts 15:5].  Doubtless, the hostile attitude adopted by the party of the Pharisees in the following years accounts for the remembrance of these reproaches.  There are surely others and deeper reasons for the many warnings we read in Scripture about Pharisees.

Entering the new Covenant is a free gift from GOD.  It is also a gift from  GOD to possess a good knowledge of Christian doctrine, or exercise a special ministry in the Church, or belong to a Christian group committed for their faith.  Nevertheless there is always the danger to behave as an elite group, thus losing the true humility that should lead us to occupy the last places, where we really should be.)

On-Site

On-Track   

The Sign Of Jonah

"As the crowd increased, JESUS spoke the following words: 'People of the present time are troubled people.  They ask for a sign, but no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.  As Jonah became a sign for the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be a sign for this generation.  The Queen of the South will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and here, there is greater than Solomon.  The people of Nineveh will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them, for Jonah's preaching made them turn from their sins, and here, there is greater than Jonah." - Luke 11:29-32 

(The Ninevites, being sinners, received no other divine sign than the coming of Jonah, who invited them to repent.  JESUS' contemporaries believe they are  "good" because they belong to the people of GOD, and they do not realize that the hour has come for them to repent as well.

The people of Nineveh will rise up with these people and accuse them.  JESUS again uses the traditional image of collective judgment where each one excuses himself by pointing out that others have done worse.  This image retains a deep truth: all that GOD has given to each one of us should produce fruits for all humanity.)

On-Site

On-Track

I Shall Live In The House Of The LORD All The Days Of My Life

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

HE makes me lie down in green pastures.

HE leads me beside the still waters,

HE restores my soul.

HE guides me through the right paths

for HIS name's sake.

Although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil,

for YOU are beside me:

YOUR rod and YOUR staff comfort me.

YOU spread a table before me

in the presence of my foes.

YOU anoint my head with oil;

my cup is overflowing.

Goodness and kindness will follow me

all the days of my life,

I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

as long as I live."

- Psalm 23:1-6

(In the course of years of the Shepherd-LORD took flesh and died for HIS sheep--thus HE lead the way through a dark valley to pastures beyond.  We follow without fear.  And if we should falter, HE takes home in HIS arms [Luke 15:5-6].  To such a shepherd we sing our hymn.  But if, with the psalmist, we may change our picture, HE is our generous host, too.  The brimming cup HE offers was dearly bought: 'Drink!  This is MY blood that shall be shed.'

We will be on our way until we reach the Promised Land.  While we journey, this psalm will give us light and consolation.  It is not the repose of death that we await but the resurrection that brings us to the FATHER.  Do we need any more assurance than that to become a true Christian, i.e., CHRIST-like?

The original manuscript uses the word 'YAHWEH is my shepherd.'  Since this psalm is a common, everyday prayer we use, for pastoral purposes, we use the known expression 'The LORD is my shepherd.')

On-Site
On-Track 

Blessed Is The Womb That Carried YOU!

"As JESUS was speaking, a woman spoke from the crowd and said to HIM, 'Blessed is the one who gave YOU birth and nursed YOU!'  JESUS replied, 'Truly blessed are those who hear the word of GOD, and keep it as well.'" - Luke 11:27-28 

(Blessed is the one who gave YOU birth!  This woman envies the mother of JESUS and is full of admiration for HIS way of speaking.  She is mistaken if she thinks that JESUS' relatives can be proud on HIS account, and she is wasting her time if she admires HIS words instead of making them her own.  So JESUS turns her towards the FATHER, whose word HE gives, and to herself, whom GOD invites to the family of HIS sons and daughters.

As for Mary, the mother of JESUS, the one who believed [1:45], she kept all the words and deeds of the LORD in her heart [Luke 2:51].

On-Site

On-Track 

Whoever Does Not Gather With ME Scatters

"Yet some of them said, 'HE drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of the demons.'  Others wanted to put HIM to the test, by asking HIM for a heavenly sign.

But JESUS knew their thoughts, and said to them, 'Every nation divided by civil war is on the road to ruin, and will fall.  If Satan also is divided, his empire is coming to an end.  How can you say that I drive out demons by calling upon Beelzebul?  If I drive them out by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive out demons?  They will be your judges, then.

But if I drive out demons by the finger of GOD; would not this mean that the kingdom of GOD has come upon you?  As long as a man, strong and well armed, guards his house, his goods are safe.  But when a stronger man attacks and overcomes him, the challenger takes away all the weapons he relied on, and disposes of his spoils.

Whoever is not with ME is against ME, and whoever does not gather with ME, scatters.

When evil spirit goes out of a person, it wanders through dry lands, looking for a resting place; and finding none, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.'  When it comes, it finds the house swept and everything in order.  Then it goes to fetch seven other spirits, even worse than itself.  They move in and settle there, so that the last state of that person is worst than the first.'" - Luke 11:15-26 

(By the finger of GOD.  In Exodus 8:15 the same expression is used to designate the power of GOD working miracles.

Whoever is not with ME...  This phrase seems to contradict Luke 9:50: Who is not against you is for you.  In fact, in Luke 9:50 JESUS admits that HIS spiritual family goes much beyond the visible group of HIS disciples: those who, without belonging to the church, work for the same goals, must be considered as friends.

In Luke 11:23, on the other hand, JESUS speaks of people who refuse to stand with HIM and HIS message and who want to remain uncommitted: they do not join HIM, and later they will criticize HIM.

The Jews believed that evil spirits preferred to live in the desert or, rather, that GOD had banished them there [Tobit 8:3].  Here JESUS is speaking of people who only believe for a while because they do not repent enough of their past sins.  They enjoyed listening to the word, but they did not take the costly measures that would have allowed them to heal the root of evil.) 

On-Site

On-Track 

The One Who Seeks, Finds

"JESUS said to them, 'Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to his house in the middle of the night and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine who is traveling has just arrived, and I have nothing to offer him.'  Maybe your friend will answer from inside, 'Don't bother me now; the door is locked, and my children and I are in bed, so I can't get up and give you anything.'  But I tell you, even though he will not get up and attend to you because you are a friend, yet he will get up because you are a bother to him, and he will give you all you need.

And so I say to you, 'Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For the one who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened.

If your child asks for a fish, will you give him a snake instead?  And if your child asks for an egg, will you give him a scorpion?  If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will YOUR heavenly FATHER give the Holy Spirit to those who ask HIM.'" - Luke 11:5-13 

(JESUS urges us to ask with perseverance without ever getting tired of asking but, rather, "tiring" GOD.  GOD will not always give us what we ask for, nor in the way we ask, since we do not know what is good for us.  HE will give us a Holy Spirit, or a clearer vision of HIS will and, at the same time, the courage to follow it.

Knock and it will be opened to you.  A page from Father Molinie is a commentary on this verse.  "If GOD does not open at once, it is not because HE enjoys making us wait.  If we must persevere in prayer, it is not because we need a set number of invocations, but rather because a certain quality, a certain way of prayer is required.  If we were able to have that at the beginning, our prayer would be heard immediately.

"Prayer is the groaning of the Holy Spirit in us as Saint Paul says.  Yet, we need repetition for this groaning to open a path in our stony heart, just as the drop of water wastes away the hardest rocks.  When we have repeated the Our Father and the Hail Mary with perseverance, one day we can pray them in a way that is in perfect harmony with GOD's will.  HE HIMSELF was waiting for this groaning, the only one which can move HIM since, in fact, it comes from HIS own heart.

"As long as we have not played this note, or rather, drawn it from within, GOD cannot be conquered.  It is not that GOD defends HIMSELF since HE is pure tenderness and fluidity, but as long as there is nothing similar in us, the current cannot pass between HIM and us.  Man gets tired of praying, yet if he perseveres instead of losing heart, he will gradually let go of his pride until being exhausted and overcome, he obtains much more than he could have wished for.")

On-Site

On-Track

LORD, Teach Us To Pray

"One day, JESUS was praying in a certain place; and when HE had finished, one of HIS disciples said to HIM, 'LORD, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'  And JESUS said to them, 'When you pray, say this:

FATHER, may YOUR name be held holy,

may YOUR kingdom come;

give us, each day, the kind of bread we need,

and forgive us our sins; for we also forgive all who do us wrong;

and do not bring us to the test.'" - Luke 11:1-4 

JESUS Teaching His Disciples To Pray

(The apostles already knew how to pray and they prayed in common, as all the Jews did, in the synagogue and at key times during the day.  Yet, in living close to JESUS they discovered a new way to live in close fellowship and they felt a need to address the FATHER differently.  JESUS waited for them to ask HIM to teach them how to pray.)

On-Site

On-Track

Mary Has Chosen The Better Part

"As JESUS and HIS disciples were on their way, HE entered a village, and a woman called Martha welcomed HIM to her house.  She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the LORD's feet to listen to HIS words.  Martha, meanwhile, was busy with all the serving, and finally she said, 'LORD, don't YOU care that my sister has left me to do all the work?  Tell her to help me!'

But the LORD answered, 'Martha, Martha, you worry and are troubled about many things, whereas only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen  the better part, and it will not be taken away from her.'" - Luke 10:38-42 

(Many things seem to be necessary in a family: cleaning, preparing meals, looking after the children.  If there is no time to listen to others, what is life worth?  Perhaps we do many things in the service of GOD and our neighbor; only one thing  nevertheless is necessary for us all: being available for JESUS when HE is present.

Mary has chosen the better part.  She followed only her instinct, but JESUS sees more: HE will not be there much longer, and in any case HIS presence among us is always brief.  Mary has been able to take hold of these brief moments when JESUS could be hers, and she is HIS while listening to HIM.)

On-Site

On-Track   

Go And Do Likewise

"Then a teacher of the law came and began putting JESUS to the test.  And he said, 'Master, what shall I do to receive eternal life?'  JESUS replied, 'What is written in the law?  How do you understand it?'  The man answered, 'It is written: You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind.  And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  JESUS replied, 'What a good answer!  Do this and you shall live.'  The man wanted to justify his question, so he asked, 'Who is my neighbor?'

JESUS then said, 'There was a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell into the hands of robbers.  They stripped him, beat him and went off, leaving him half-dead.

It happened that a priest was going along that road and saw the man, but passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite saw the man, and passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan also was going that way; and when he came upon the man, he was moved with compassion.  He went over to him, and cleaned his wounds with oil and wine, and wrapped them in bandages.  Then he put him on his own mount, and brought him to an inn, where he took care of him.

The next day, he had to set off; but he gave two silver coins to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him, and whatever you spend on him, I will repay when I return.'

JESUS then asked, 'Which of these three, do you think, made himself neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?'  The teacher of the law answered, 'The one who had mercy on him.'  And JESUS said, 'Then go and do the same.'" - Luke 10:25-37 

The Good Samaritan

(Who is my neighbor?  The teacher of the law expected to be given the precise limits of his obligation.  Whom was he supposed to look after?  Members of his family?  People of his own race?  Or perhaps everybody?

It is significant that JESUS concludes his story with a different question: Which of these three made himself neighbor?  It is as if HE said: do not try to figure out who is your neighbor, listen instead to the call within you, and become a neighbor, be close to your brother or sister in need.  As long as we see the command to love as an obligation, we are not loving as GOD wants.

Love does not consist simply in being moved by another person's distress.  Notice how the Samaritan stopped by in spite of it being a dangerous place, how he paid for the expenses and promised to take care of whatever else might be necessary.  Instead of just "being charitable" he took unconditional and uncalculated risks for a stranger.

With this example, JESUS also makes us see that, many times, those who seem to be religious officials, or who believe they fulfill the law, are incapable of loving.  It was a Samaritan, considered a heretic by the Jews, who took care of the wounded man.

For the Jews, neighbors were the members of Israel, their own people, dignified by sharing the same religion; in fact, this familial relationship came from "flesh and blood."  For JESUS, true love leads one to give up any discrimination.)

On-Site
On-Track

HE Sent HIS Son

"Listen to another example:  There was a landowner who planted a vineyard.  He put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press, built a watchtower, leased the vineyard to tenants, and then, went to a distant country.  When harvest time came, the landowner sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the harvest.  But the tenants seized his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

Again, the owner sent more servants; but they were treated in the same way.

Finally, he sent his son, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'  But when the tenants saw the son, they thought, 'This is the one who is to inherit the vineyard.  Let us kill him, and his inheritance will be ours.'  So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

Now, what will the owner of the vineyard do with the tenants when he comes?  They said to him, 'He will bring those evil men to an evil end, and lease the vineyard to others, who will pay him in due time.'

And JESUS replied, 'Have you never read what the Scriptures say?  The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.  This was the LORD's doing, and we marvel at it.  Therefore, I say to you: the kingdom of heaven will be taken from you, and given to a people who will produce its fruit.'" - Matthew 21:33-43 

(In this comparison, the vine represents the kingdom of GOD.  The Jews were GOD's people and they came to consider that their own interests were those of GOD.  HE had to help them against others.  They had confidence that they would be saved and were not concerned about the fate of others who did not recognize GOD.

GOD entrusted HIS kingdom to them; in other words, HE guided them throughout the long span of their history, so that they would be an example to others.  They were to communicate their experience to others so that all would develop justice, a spirit of responsibility, a sense of community; these were the fruit GOD wanted to harvest.

GOD sent prophets to remind them of their debt: they were scarcely heard.  Finally, the only Son of GOD become human appears and the same thing will happen.  HE will be thrown out of the vineyard, in other words, rejected by HIS own people.  Which is why the kingdom of GOD will be given to others, to those believers converted from other nations and gathered in the Church of CHRIST.

Here ends the parable.  It could equally be applied to the Church today if it becomes a religion of one social class, or similar to the other religions, or if we do not find in the Church more obedience to GOD, more commitment to values that will save the world.  What would happen to Christian groups and their leaders if they began to feel they were the owners of the kingdom and its promises?) 

On-Site

On-Track 

Your Names Are Written In Heaven

"The seventy-two disciples returned full of joy.  They said, 'LORD, even the demons obeyed us when we called on YOUR name.'  Then JESUS replied, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  You see, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the Enemy, so that nothing will harm you.  Nevertheless, don't rejoice because the evil spirits submit to you; rejoice, rather, that your names are written in heaven.'

At that time, JESUS was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and said, 'I praise YOU, FATHER, LORD of heaven and earth, for YOU have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and made them known to little ones.  Yes, FATHER, such has been YOUR gracious will.  I have been given all things by MY FATHER, so that no one knows the Son except the FATHER, and no one knows the FATHER except the Son, and HE to whom the Son chooses to reveal HIM.'

Then JESUS turned to HIS disciples and said to them privately, 'Fortunate are you to see what you see, for I tell you, that many prophets and kings would have liked to see what you see, but did not see it; and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.'" - Luke 10:17-24 

The Seventy-Two Disciples

(At first, the person who preaches CHRIST and works for HIM is scared.  Then follows the joy of having surpassed oneself, and even more the joy of having believed and worked with the very power of JESUS.  JESUS gives thanks for the seventy [or seventy-two] and for all those who will follow them.

What are these things that GOD has revealed to the little ones but the mysterious power of the Gospel to transform people and show them the truth?  The apostles marvel at the power coming from the name of JESUS [Mark 16:17].  JESUS underlines the defeat of the Adversary, Satan.

The learned and the clever think they know, but do not know what is essential.  They speak of a God who is no more than a shadow of the true GOD as long as they do not recognize him in JESUS.  They do not know where the world is heading because they do not see how GOD's power is working wherever JESUS is being proclaimed.

The little ones, on the other hand, have understood.  Before they saw themselves as a sacrificed generation.  For the little ones are used to sacrificing themselves for their children from generation to generation, or they are sacrificed by powers, under the pretext of bringing happiness to their descendants.  They did not live for themselves; rather they were preparing a place for others.  Now the little ones, namely, the humble believers, have everything if they have JESUS, the FATHER has given everything to HIM.

Little ones live their faith in simple ways but they know that none of their sacrifices are lost.  It is JESUS who reveals the FATHER to us, and knowing HIM in truth, we also share in HIS control over events.  Our desires and our prayers are powerful because we have come to the center from which GOD directs the forces saving humankind: because we work for eternity, our names are already written in heaven.

To evangelize does not mean to try to sell the Gospel but rather to prove its power to heal people from their demons.  We need not become activists in order to accomplish that.  We must admit that we have no power in these things and we must give thanks to GOD who enabled us to see, to hear and to communicate HIS salvation.

Fortunate are you to see...  Stop being envious of famous people, kings and prophets of the past.  You who are alive now, and who are neither kings nor prophets, have been given the better part.)

On-Site

On-Track

For The Glory Of YOUR Name, O LORD, Deliver Us

"O GOD, the pagans have invaded YOUR inheritance; they have defiled YOUR holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

They have given YOUR servants' corpses to the birds, and the flesh of YOUR saints, to the beasts of the earth.

They have poured out the blood of YOUR faithful, like water around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.

Mocked and reviled by those around us, we are scorned by our neighbors.

How long will this last, O YAHWEH?  Will YOU be angry forever?  Will YOUR wrath always burn to avenge YOUR rights?

Pour out YOUR anger on the nations that do not acknowledge YOU; on the kingdoms that do not call on YOUR name.

For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his homeland.

Do not remember against us the sins of our fathers.

Let YOUR compassion hurry to us, for we have been brought very low.

Help us, GOD, our savior, for the glory of YOUR name; forgive us, for the sake of YOUR name."

- Psalm 79:1-9

The Fall Of Jerusalem In 586 B.C.

(This psalm almost certainly refers to the fall of Jerusalem in the year 586 B.C.  There is a confession of guilt--the guilt of an earlier generation.  It is interesting that this ingredient should enter the solution of the problem of suffering: Has this man sinned--or his parents?  And, indeed, we may blame our ancestors, for some of our condition, so long as we realize that we may, and do, contribute to the unhappiness of our children.  We are the context into which they will be born, for better or for worse.  But the psalmist evidently does not will to call GOD's attention to the sins of his own generation except in passing.  There is a further devout ingenuity about him when he reminds GOD of what people will say if HE deserts HIS people.  As if GOD cared!  But such a prayer is very human and no doubt raises a smile in heaven.

As long as there are captives and blood is poured in this our land, whenever we live under the weight of guilt, it is a good time to pray with this psalm.)

On-Site
On-Track

Rejoicing In The LORD Must Be Your Strength!

"In the seventh month, all the people gathered as one man in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which YAHWEH had given to Israel.  Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men, women and all the children who could understand what was being read.  It was the first day of the seventh month.  So he read it before the plaza in front of the Water Gate from dawn till noon, before the men, women and those children who could understand.  All the people were eager to hear the book of the law.

Ezra, the teacher of the law, stood on a wooden platform built for that occasion; and to his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hasbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was in a higher place; and when he opened it, all the people stood.  Ezra praised YAHWEH the great GOD; and all the people lifted up their hands and answered, 'Amen!  Amen!'  And they bowed their heads to the ground.

The Levites Joshua, Bani and the rest of their brothers explained the law to the people who were standing.  They read from the book of the law of GOD, clarifying and interpreting the meaning, so that everyone might understand what they were hearing.

Then Ezra, the teacher of the law, said to the people, 'This day is dedicated to YAHWEH, your GOD, so do not be sad or weep.'  He said this because all wept when they heard the reading of the law.  Then he said to them, 'Go and eat rich foods, drink sweet wine and share with him who has nothing prepared.

This day is dedicated to the LORD, so do not be sad.  The joy of YAHWEH is our strength.'

The Levites also calmed the people down, saying, 'Do not weep.  This day is a festival day.  Do not be sad.'  And the people went their way to eat, drink and share, and they had a great feast, because they had understood the words that had been proclaimed to them.) - Nehemiah 8:1-12

Ezra, The Teacher Of The Law

(This first public reading of the law marks a very important date of sacred history.  Until that time, the people of Israel lived their faith through praying and taking part in the temple ceremonies.  Decisions and preaching came to them through priests and prophets.  They did not feel the need to read the Scriptures.

Several books of our Scriptures were already in existence but they were kept in the temple or the kings' palace: they were not within reach of the people nor were they not within reach of the people nor were they the foundation of their faith.  Now, however, new demands are made and they no longer have prophets as before.  Ezra understands that in the future, the Jewish community will grow through the reading, meditation on and interpretation of the sacred book.  Ezra himself tries to gather and complete the sacred books, and a new age begins wherein the Scriptures will be everyone's book and the basis of their faith.

This religious and cultural transition is similar in the Church in recent years.  People went to church; they prayed and they were taught, but Scripture was foreign to them.  However, now the Christian faith can only become strong through the word of GOD read and heard in the community.  Indeed we are behind time: renewal should have started four centuries ago when Protestantism began.

The assembly gathered by Ezra will serve as the model for the religious life of the Jewish community.  The solemn worship in the Jerusalem temple is not suppressed but, from that time on, in every city the Jews will have a synagogue, that is, a meeting place where they will gather on the Sabbath to hear GOD's word and to sing psalms.)

On-Site
On-Track