Why Do They Dig A Grave For Me?

"Then, they said, 'Come, let us plot against Jeremiah, for even without him, there will be priests to interpret the teachings of the law; there will always be wise men to impart counsel and prophets to proclaim the word.

Come, let us accuse him and strike him down instead of listening to what he says.'

Hear me, O YAHWEH!

Listen to what my accusers say.

Is evil the reward for good?

Why do they dig a grave for me?

Remember how I stood before YOU

to speak well on their behalf

so that YOUR anger might subside."

- Jeremiah 18:18-20

Jeremiah, The Weeping Prophet

(There is no plan of GOD written beforehand that we have to follow, pushed to do good or evil by some fatal destiny.  GOD is continually creating us and HE achieves HIS plan for the world while renewing each day the free relation it maintains with us.  Scripture supports these statements, that nothing escapes GOD and that we are free.)

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What Do I Care For Your Endless Sacrifices?

"'What do I care,' says YAHWEH ' for your endless sacrifices?

I AM fed up with your burnt offerings,

and the fat of your bulls.

The blood of fatlings, and lambs and

he-goats

I abhor, when you come before ME

and

trample on MY courts. 

Who asked you to visit ME?

I AM fed up with your oblations.

I grow sick with your incense.

Your New Moons, Sabbaths and

meetings,

evil with holy assemblies,

I can no longer bear.

I hate your New Moons and

appointed feasts.

They burden ME.

When you stretch out your hands

I will close MY eyes;

the more you pray,

the more I refuse to listen,

for your hands are bloody.

Wash and make yourselves clean.

Remove from MY sight

the evil of your deeds.

Put an end to your wickedness

and learn to do good.

Seek justice and keep in line the

abusers;

give the fatherless their rights

and defend the widow.

'Come,' says YAHWEH,

'let us reason together.

Though your sins be like scarlet,

they will be white as snow;

though they be as crimson red,

they will be white as wool.

If you will obey ME,

you will eat the goods of the earth;

but if you resist and rebel,

the sword will eat you instead.'

Truly YAHWEH has spoken."

- Isaiah 1:10-20

(What do I care for your endless sacrifices?  It is characteristic of the prophets to condemn external worship that does not express a true surrender to GOD.  The sacrifices and the festivals in question here were required by the law of GOD; yet GOD says that HE detests them, because when done without proper dispositions, they are a lie [see Psalm 40:7 and 50:16, also Matthew 5:23].

Give the fatherless their rights.  The Mosaic commandments condemn thief [Exodus 20:14].  The prophets denounce a social system which crushes the lowly.

Some people are fond of great ceremonies, others of their own devotions and prayers and still others, of doing generous and philanthropic works.  When doing this, we may be covering up the injustice we do everyday.)  

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For The Measure You Give Will Be The Measure You Receive Back

"Be merciful, just as your FATHER is merciful.

Don't be a judge of others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over.  For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back." - Luke 6:36-38 

(JESUS speaks of the way in which GOD already leads us in the present life.  A rationalist culture has often convinced us that GOD lets the laws of nature and humankind go their own way while HE remains a passive spectator, but the kingdom of GOD is the presence of GOD HIMSELF who even today has liberty to reverse all situations, even if for that purpose HE has HIS own time.)

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If GOD Is With Us, Who Shall Be Against Us?

"What shall we say after this?  If GOD is with us, who shall be against us?  If HE did not spare HIS own Son, but gave HIM up for us all, how HE will not give us all things with HIM?  Who shall accuse those chosen by GOD:  HE takes away their guilt.  Who will dare to condemn them?  CHRIST, who died, and better still, rose, and is seated at the right hand of GOD, interceding for us?" - Romans 8:31-34 

(Who shall be against us?  Paul is thinking of the evil surrounding us that frequently drags us down.  He is thinking of the Day of Judgment when the accuser, the Spirit of Evil, could face us with the faults we have committed.  He thinks of our troubled conscience that often brings us remorse.  None of these will be stronger than the love and forgiveness of CHRIST.  The believer should not be alarmed at his repeated faults or doubt the love of GOD, but try to live according to the truth.)

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Obey The Commandments Now And Put Them Into Practice With All Your Heart And Soul

"On this day, YAHWEH, your GOD, commands you to fulfill these norms and these commandments.  Obey them now and put them into practice with all your heart and with all your soul.

Today YAHWEH has declared to you that HE will be your GOD, and so you shall follow HIS ways, observing HIS norms, HIS commandments and HIS laws, and listening to HIS voice.

Today YAHWEH has declared that you will be HIS very own people even as HE had promised you, and you must obey all HIS commandments.  HE, for HIS part, will give you honor, renown and glory, and set you high above all the nations HE has made, and you will become a nation consecrated to YAHWEH, your GOD, as HE has declared. - Deuteronomy 26:16-19 

(The various formulations of the "creed" which the Church now uses, place at the very center the liberating work that GOD, FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT, realizes for our benefit.)

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GOD's Justice Will Be Achieved In The Next Life

"If the sinner turns from his sin, observes MY decrees and practices what is right and just, he will live; he will not die.  None of the sins he committed will be charged against him; he will live, as a consequence of his righteous deeds.  Do I want the death of the sinner?---word of YAHWEH.  Do I not, rather, want him to turn from his ways and live?

But if the righteous man turns away from what is good, and commits sins as the wicked do,  will he live?  His righteous deeds will no longer be credited to him; but he will die, because of his infidelity and his sins. 

But you say: YAHWEH's way is not just!  Why, Israel!  Is MY position wrong?  Is it not rather that yours is wrong?  If the righteous man turns from his righteous deeds, and sins, then he dies, because of his sins.  And if the wicked man does what is good and right, after turning from the sins he committed, he will save his life.  He will live and not die, because he has opened his eyes; and turned from the sins he had committed." - Ezekiel 18:21-28  

(If the sinner turns from his sin, he will live: everyone will have time to decide freely.  If people are evil and then decide to do good, GOD will wait for their conversion and will take their last orientation into account.

In later times, wise people will note that oftentimes evil people do not receive their punishment, nor good people their reward in this life [see Job 21]; it will become obvious to them that GOD's justice will be achieved in the next life.)

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Shepherd The Flock Which GOD Has Entrusted To You

"I now address myself to those elders among you; I, too, am an elder, and a witness to the sufferings of CHRIST, hoping to share the glory that is to be revealed.  Shepherd the flock which GOD has entrusted to you, guarding it, not out of obligation, but, willingly, for GOD's sake; not as one looking for a reward, but with a generous heart; do not lord it over, those in your care, rather be an example to your flock.  Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will be given a crown of unfading glory." - 1 Peter 5:1-4 

(In the varied counsels that follow, note what concerns the elders, leaders and pastors of the community.

In persecution Peter also sees a work of the devil, who does his best to discourage those who hope in CHRIST.

It is a proven fact that when we get ready to make an important decision or to make some commitment in the service of CHRIST, many unexpected obstacles arise.  The person who becomes intimidated loses everything.  When he tries again  to take some step, the devil will increase his attacks.  These trials are common and to face them we need to be alert in our faith.)

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People Of The Present Time Are Troubled People

"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

Jonah, A Sign For The People Of Nineveh

(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.)

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MY Word That Goes Forth Out Of MY Mouth

"As the rain and the snow come down

from the heavens and do not return

till they have watered the earth,

making it yield seed for the sower

and food for others to eat,

so is MY word that goes forth out of MY mouth:

it will not return to ME idle,

but it shall accomplish MY will,

the purpose for which it has been sent."

- Isaiah 55:10-11

(Here the word of GOD appears personified.  It is already much more than the words spoken by the prophets.  This word which comes from the FATHER and returns to HIM will be presented by the apostle John in the first page of his Gospel: it is CHRIST.)

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The Splendor Of Heaven Gives Us A Glimpse Of The Glory Of GOD

"The Law of YAHWEH is perfect:

it gives life to the soul.

The word of YAHWEH is trustworthy:

it gives wisdom to the simple.

The precepts of YAHWEH are right:

they give joy to the heart.

The commandments of YAHWEH are clear:

they enlighten the eyes.

The fear of YAHWEH is pure,

it endures forever;

the judgments of YAHWEH are true,

all of them just and right.

They are more precious than gold--

pure gold of a jeweler;

they are much sweeter than honey

which drops from the honeycomb.

They are a light to your servant,

in keeping them, they win a great reward.

But who can discern one's own errors?

Forgive the failings of which I am unaware.

Preserve me from willful sin;

do not let it get the better of your servant.

Then shall I walk blameless

and innocent of serious sin.

May the words of my mouth 

and the meditations of my heart

find favor in YOUR sight,

O YAHWEH--my redeemer, my rock!"

- Psalm 19:8:15

(When nature seems harsh and the law constricts us, faith must carry us through.  When this is the case for others, charity must work in us, to help or sympathize.

The splendor of heaven gives us a glimpse of the glory of GOD.  We are also aware of HIS presence, when we meditate on HIS commandments, which are light and joy for the soul.

This psalm is adequate to revise one's life in the presence of GOD in creation and in the Law.  JESUS in the Gospels has taught us how to pray.  If we add this psalm to our morning prayer, it will make us feel great and ready to start the day well.)

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I Set MY Bow In The Clouds

"GOD spoke to Noah and his sons, 'See I AM making a Covenant with you and with your descendants after you; also with every living animal with you: birds, cattle, that is, with every living creature of the earth that came out of the ark.  I establish MY Covenant with you.  Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.'

GOD said, 'This is the sign of the Covenant I make between ME and you, and every animal living with you for all future generations.  I set MY bow in the clouds and it will be a sign of the Covenant between ME and the earth.  When I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember the Covenant between ME and you and every kind of living creature, so that never again will floodwaters destroy all flesh." - Genesis 9:8-15 

(The Covenant of GOD with humankind and with everything that came from the Ark, means that GOD is interested in everything that people create: their culture, inventions, as well as their legitimate ambitions.  GOD is not only the GOD of believers, HE is the GOD of everyone.  GOD does not want merely to save souls: through human creativity GOD enables people to grow in awareness and responsibility and HE prepares them for divine union through the Holy Spirit.

GOD has not made HIMSELF known to all human groups as HE has done for Israel and later for Christians.  But to every human in every country, HE gives signs of HIS providence and HIS goodness through daily events: this is what HE expresses when HE invites Noah's descendants to see in the rainbow a reminder of HIS Covenant with them.

I set MY bow in the clouds.  Hanging up one's bow was, at that time, making peace.  The rainbow then is the sign of reconciliation between GOD and humankind.)

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I Have Not Come To Call The Just, But Sinners, To A Change Of Heart

"After this, JESUS went out, and noticing a tax collector named Levi, sitting in the tax-office, HE said to him, 'Follow ME!'  So Levi, leaving everything, got up and followed JESUS, 

Levi gave a great feast for JESUS, and many tax collectors came to his house, and took their places at the table with the other people.  Then the Pharisees and their followers complained to JESUS' disciples, 'How is it, that you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'  But JESUS spoke up, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do.  I have not come to call the just, but sinners, to a change of heart.'" - Luke 5:27-32 

(The events related in this Chapter show how JESUS situates HIMSELF in society and with what people HE relates: with a small group of fishermen who will be in charge of HIS new movement, with lepers and sick people who seek HIM.  HE calls people who, like Levi, belong to a despised group.)

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Why Are We Fasting And YOU Do Not Even See It?

"Then the disciples of John came to HIM with the question, 'How is it, that we and the Pharisees fast on many occasions, but not YOUR disciples?'

JESUS answered them, 'How can you expect wedding guests to mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?  The time will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then, they will fast.'" - Matthew 9:14-15 

(The people of Judah fast so that GOD will hear their petitions.  These could be public prayers to ask for rain.

Is it perhaps only a matter of bowing the head?  GOD neither wants the death of the sinner nor the humiliation of HIS creature.  GOD loves people, but HE loves them all and not only the little landowners of Judah fearful for their crops; HE also loves the laborers and the slaves of these little landholders.  GOD's demands are clear: do away with unjust chains and share with the rest.)

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Choose Life

"See, I set before you on this day life and good, evil and death.  I command you to love YAHWEH, your GOD and follow HIS ways.  Observe HIS commandments, HIS norms and HIS laws, and you will live and increase, and YAHWEH will give you HIS blessing in the land you are going to possess.  But if your heart turns away and does not listen, if you are drawn away and bow before other gods to serve them, I declare on this day that you shall perish.  You shall not last in the land you are going to occupy on the other side of the Jordan.

Let the heavens and the earth listen, that they may be witnesses against you.  I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.  Therefore, choose life that you and your descendants may live, loving YAHWEH, listening to HIS voice, and being one with HIM.  In this is life for you and length of days in the land which YAHWEH swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." - Deuteronomy 30:15-20 

(This text about the two ways is very famous, reminding us of the importance of our free decisions and GOD's respect for human freedom [see also Sirach 15:11].

Throughout Deuteronomy faithfulness to GOD is spoken of together with the remembrance of HIS promises and rewards here on earth.  This should not surprise us.  In those distant times the people of GOD had no understanding of another life nor of the resurrection and the vision of GOD after death.  They only focused on the present life and their national destiny which, in their view, were more important than the destiny of the individual.  For them, GOD's justice had to be seen on earth in the present.

Later, the Gospel will not promise lands or houses, except in a figurative way [Mark 10:28].  Prosperity will not be mentioned except for the final day when GOD will create the world anew [Acts 3:21 and Revelation 21:3].)

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Return To ME With Your Whole Heart

"YAHWEH says, 'Yet even now, return to ME with your whole heart; with fasting, weeping and mourning.  Rend your heart, not your garment.  Return to YAHWEH, your GOD--gracious and compassionate.'

YAHWEH is slow to anger, full of kindness, and HE repents of having punished.

Who knows?  Probably HE will relent once more, and spare some part of the harvest, from which we may bring sacred offerings to YAHWEH, your GOD.

Blow the trumpet in Zion, proclaim a sacred fast, call a solemn assembly.

Gather the people, sanctify the community, bring together the elders, even the children and infants at the breast.  Let the bridegroom leave his bed, and the bride her room.

Between the vestibule and the altar, let the priests, YAHWEH's ministers, weep and say: Spare your people, YAHWEH.  Do not humble them or make them an object of scorn among the nations.  Why should it be said among the people: Where is their GOD?

YAHWEH has become jealous for HIS land; HE has had pity on HIS people." - Joel 2:12-18 

(Return to ME with your whole heart: an invitation to penance.  In times of hardship, public fasts were proclaimed in Israel.  People would wear mourning clothes. or they would replace their clothes with sackcloth, or they would not comb their hair and cover their faces with ashes.  In the Gospel, JESUS will not say that these signs of physical penance, like fasting to express sorrow and to accompany prayer, are useless [see Matthew 4:1 and Mark 2:20], but will make it clear that these external signs of penance are not everything, nor are they what is most important.)

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The FATHER Of Light In Whom There Is No Change Or Shadow Of A Change

"Happy are those who patiently endure trials, because, afterward, they will receive the crown of life, which the LORD promised to those who love HIM.  No one, when tempted, should say, 'This temptation comes from GOD.'  GOD is never tempted, and HE can never tempt anyone.  Instead, each of us is lured, and enticed, by our own evil desire.  Once this desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when fully grown, gives birth to death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved.  Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the FATHER of Light, in whom there is no change, or shadow of a change.  By HIS own will, HE gave us life, through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of offering to HIM, among HIS creatures." - James 1:12-18 

(No one, when tempted, should say.  Most people are secretly resentful toward GOD and do not miss an opportunity to blame HIM for their own mistakes.

The FATHER of Light in whom there is no change or shadow of a change.  Because we are inconsistent, James invites us to look to the FATHER who does not change and whose holiness and happiness are touched by nothing.  What an amazing thing: in HIS eternity, the FATHER enjoys our presence, while we who live in time do not yet know how to focus on HIM.  We must acquire the same firmness and constancy that are in GOD.

HE gave us life.  This affirmation will be developed in 1 Peter 1.  It is a reminder of Baptism through which we received new life.  James draws this conclusion; we must keep the word  of GOD, meditate on it to find out what it demands of us.  It is not enough to have improved our lives for a while in preparation for Baptism; we must persevere on the path of goodness.)

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Endure Trials Patiently

"James, a servant of GOD, and of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, sends greetings to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.

Consider yourselves fortunate, my brothers and sisters, when you meet with every kind of trial, for you know, that the testing of your faith makes you steadfast.  Let your steadfastness become perfect, with deeds, that you, yourselves, may be perfect and blameless, without any defect.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask GOD, who gives to all easily and unconditionally.  But ask with faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave driven and tossed on the sea by the wind.  Such a person should not expect anything from the LORD, since the doubter has two minds and his conduct will always be insecure.

Let the believer who is poor, boast, in being uplifted, and let the rich one boast, in being humbled, because he will pass away like the flower of the field.  The sun rises and its heat dries the grass; the flower withers and its beauty vanishes.  So, too, will the rich person fade away, even in the midst of his pursuits." - James 1:1-11

(What is most impressive at the beginning of the letter is the firmness of faith.  James is a man who does not hesitate and we feel very reassured by his conviction: ask GOD because HE gives to everyone.  Fortunate when you meet with every kind of trial.

The testing of your faith.  We are not in this world to have a good time.  What matters is to take advantage of the time GOD gives us to grow and mature as persons.  The person who has not suffered knows very little.  Oftentimes, those who have suffered do not realize that they owe the best in themselves to their having had to overcome a thousand difficulties.

To save the poor and the afflicted does not consist so much in comforting them or giving them bread as in helping them to face their destiny, to realize themselves through their own efforts and to discover they are helpless if they do not first acknowledge their brothers and sisters and act with them.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom.  GOD has placed in our midst all that we need to solve our problems.  The wisdom that makes us be responsible for our destiny instead of being passive comes from HIM.

Ask with faith.  The one who knows what are the obstacles from which GOD wishes to save him will be the one who has no hesitation in asking with faith.)

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Practical Solutions

"Then, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of GOD.  Give no offense to the Jews, or to the Greeks, or to the Church of GOD, just as I try to please everyone in everything.  I do not seek my own interest, but that of many, this is: that they be saved.

Follow my example as I follow the example of CHRIST." - 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 

(Where the believer refuses to share directly in something evil, the supreme rule of conduct will be to seek what is good and respect the conscience of others.)

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The Religious Division

"Jeroboam thought, 'The kingdom could return to the house of David.  Should this people go up to offer sacrifices in YAHWEH's house in Jerusalem, their heart would turn again to their master, Rehoboam king of Judah.  They would kill me and go back to him.'

And so the king sought advice and made two golden calves.  Then he said to the people, 'You have been going up to Jerusalem long enough.  Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.  He put one of these in Bethel, the other in Dan.  This caused Israel to sin; the people went to Bethel and Dan to worship the calves.

Jeroboam also built temples on high places, appointing priests who were not from the Levites.  Jeroboam also appointed a feast on the fifteenth day of the eight month in imitation of the feast in Judah, and he himself offered sacrifices on the altar.  This he did in Bethel; and sacrificed to the calves that he had made.  There he placed priests for the high places he had made.  On the fifteenth day of the eight month, the month which he had arbitrarily chosen, he ordained a feast for the Israelites and went up to the altar to burn incense.

After this, however, Jeroboam did not abstain from doing evil.  Instead he made priests for the high places from among the people.  He consecrated anyone who wanted to be a priest for the high places.  And this became the sin of the family of Jeroboam for which it was to be cut off and destroyed from the face of the earth." - 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34 

(The twelve tribes are united by the same religion, but Jeroboam realizes that his authority will be weak as long as the Israelites go up to Jerusalem to offer their sacrifices there.  He ensures political separation through a schism, that is, a religious separation.  He has a calf made to represent YAHWEH in spite of the prohibition against making a representation of the invisible GOD and reducing HIM to the level of an animal.

In narrating the deeds of the kings of Israel in the north, Scripture constantly repeats: "They followed and committed the sin of Jeroboam."  Thus Scriptures emphasized the need to remain united to the center which GOD established in Jerusalem.  It is not enough to think: "We serve the same GOD," "We serve in our own way."

Jeroboam is the model of other rulers who, much later, tried to establish national churches: in England, at the time of the Reformation; in France, after the Revolution; in China and socialist countries, after a communist revolution.  Many Catholics were persecuted and died for remaining faithful to the only church which ought to be catholic, or universal.

Obedience is worth more than sacrifice [1 Samuel 15:22].  Such was YAHWEH's word when HE renounced Saul in similar circumstances.

The present text highlights various aspects of true obedience which pleases GOD.  The prophet himself should have remained firm, knowing that GOD does not change HIS orders.)

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Healing A Deaf And Dumb Man

"Again, JESUS set out: from the country of Tyre HE passed through Sidon and, skirting the sea of Galilee, HE came to the territory of Decapolis.  There, a deaf man, who also had difficulty in speaking, was brought to HIM.  They asked JESUS to lay HIS hand upon him. 

JESUS took him apart from the crowd, put HIS fingers into the man's ears, and touched his tongue with spittle.  Then, looking up to heaven, HE said with a deep sigh, 'Ephphata!' that is, 'Be opened!'

And immediately, his ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he began to speak clearly.  JESUS ordered them not to tell anyone about it; but the more HE insisted, the more they proclaimed it.  The people were completely astonished and said, 'HE has done all things well; HE makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.'" - Mark 7:31-37

(They asked JESUS to lay HIS hand upon him.  This was a way of invoking divine power but JESUS did not have to ask.  By HIS gesture HE showed that HE had within HIMSELF, within HIS human person, all the health and welfare that we need, and HE communicated this to the sick one.

JESUS groaned.  Why?  Because the man before HIM is an impressive symbol of those who have eyes and ears but neither see nor hear.  The people bring HIM the deaf-mute, and ask HIM to heal him, but they themselves remain deaf.

JESUS ordered them not to tell anyone.  How far JESUS is from the organizers of a "Miracle Crusade"!  An unexpected miracle may help us discover the loving presence of GOD, but as soon as we begin to wait for them, we turn away from the Gospel.  The Devil knows this and so tempted JESUS in the desert [Matthew 4:6]: See the warnings of Deuteronomy to people anxious to see miracles [Deuteronomy 13].  Faith leans on the word of GOD, not on miracles [John 4:48].)

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Ingratitude Of Man

"Blessed are they who always do just and right.

Remember me, O YAHWEH, when YOU show favor to your people; rescue me when YOU deliver them; let me see the triumph of YOUR faithful; let me share the joy of YOUR nation;' and join YOUR people in praising YOU. 

...they mingled with these nations and learned to do as they did.

In serving the idols of the pagans, they were trapped into sacrificing children to demons, shedding the innocent blood of their sons and daughters to the idols of Canaan, polluting the country with blood.  They defiled themselves by what they did, playing the harlot in their worship.

The anger of YAHWEH grew intense and HE abhorred HIS inheritance."

- Psalm 106:3-4, 35-40

(It is not only praise that the remembrance of our pasts calls forth: the story of the Old Testament is a story of people's sin and GOD's mercy, and 'we have sinned like our ancestors'.  We join with our ancestors in confessing it.  To have sinned is not fatal; but to fail to acknowledge it, is.  This cuts us for the people of GOD, the people redeemed, the people of GOD's mercy.  The words of the Psalmist in verse 4 are similar to the good thief recorded in Luke 23:42, 'JESUS, remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom.'  This is a very powerful acknowledgement which brought instant results.  It teaches us not to lose faith, even at the eleventh hour and in the very last minute.  JESUS always answers our prayers now, as HE did then in Luke 23:43, 'Truly, you will be with ME today in paradise.'

With this psalm, we recognize ourselves sinners before GOD, sinners as our parents, and we expect to be saved by grace.)

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The Queen Of Sheba Visits Solomon

"The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon's fame, and came to test him with difficult questions.  She arrived in Jerusalem with a vast retinue and with camels loaded with spices and an abundance of gold and precious stones.  When she came to Solomon, she told him all that she had on her mind and Solomon answered all her questions.  There was nothing that the king could not explain to her.  And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, the food on his table, the residence of his officials, the attendance of his servants and their clothing, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings which he offered at YAHWEH's house, it left her breathless.

Then she said to the king, 'All that I heard in my own land concerning you and your wisdom was true.  But I did not believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes.  And what did I see!  I was told only half the story; for your wisdom and wealth surpass the report I heard.

Fortunate are your wives!  Fortunate are your servants who are ever in your presence and hear your wisdom!  Blessed be YAHWEH your GOD, who has looked kindly on you and has put you on the throne of Israel!  Because of YAHWEH's eternal love for Israel, HE has made you king so that you may dispense justice and righteousness.'

Then she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in abundance, and precious stones.  Such an abundance of spices as those which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon was never again seen." - 1 Kings 10:1-10 

(The queen of Sheba came to test him with difficult questions.  Scripture does not give much importance to the commercial aspect of the visit which will only appear toward the end in the barter.

Solomon's meeting with the queen of Sheba becomes a historical scene:

- The wise Solomon and his people discover the wealth and products of other countries.  'So the world is bigger than we thought!'  These contacts help the Israelites gain a broader religious vision.  YAHWEH is not only the GOD of a small nation, but is also sovereign over the wide universe.

- The queen of Sheba is a wealthy woman, but she is not satisfied.  There is no mention of her husband.  She is attracted by the divine wisdom manifested in the king, "the Beloved of YAHWEH' [2 Samuel 12:29].  JESUS will later recall this visit in Matthew 12:42.)

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Solomon's Prayer

"Then Solomon stood before the altar of YAHWEH in the presence of all the assembly of Israel.  He raised his hands towards heaven and said, O YAHWEH, GOD of Israel, there is no GOD like YOU either in heaven or on earth!  YOU keep YOUR covenant and show loving-kindness to YOUR servants who walk before YOU wholeheartedly.  YOU have foretold this day to YOUR servant David, my father, and this day YOU have fulfilled your promise.  Now, O YAHWEH, GOD of Israel, keep this other promise YOU made to David when YOU said, 'You shall always have someone from your family on the throne of Israel, provided that your sons are careful to serve ME as you have done.'  Now, therefore, O GOD of Israel, confirm the promise YOU have given to David my father.

But will GOD really live among people on earth?  If neither heavens nor the highest heavens can contain YOU, how much less can this house which I have built!  Yet, listen to the prayer and supplication of YOUR servant, O YAHWEH my GOD; hearken to the cries and pleas which YOUR servant directs to YOU this day,  Watch over this house of which YOU have said, 'MY name shall rest there.'  Hear the prayer of YOUR servant in this place.

Listen to the supplication of YOUR servant and YOUR people Israel when they pray in this direction; listen from YOUR dwelling place in heaven and, on listening, forgive." - 1 Kings 8:22-30 

(YAHWEH has fulfilled HIS promise.  David had received two promises from GOD.  The first was that his son would build the temple; the second, that his descendants would keep the throne of Israel.

It is worth noting how GOD, being the invisible GOD and Creator of the Universe, will to be, in some way, at a definite place, Jerusalem, and among a definite people, David's descendants.  This visible center of divine presence is now the Church.  The kingdom of GOD is universal, yet the Church relates with CHRIST through a well-defined series of people: the Bishops and the Pope.

This prayer of Solomon, composed probably by a prophet at the time of the kings, emphasizes both the importance and the relativity of the temple.  It is there that the "Name" of GOD resides, there GOD will hear the prayers of HIS people.  And yet this temple built by human hands "could not contain GOD in HIS Glory."  The invisible heavens "cannot contain HIM," how much less this earthly dwelling.

This vision of the temple will be continually present in the teaching of the prophets.  However great, the temple will never be a "magic charm" for Israel.  It is the sign and reminder of the presence of the holy GOD.

Gradually, because of this, all theology of Israel will be centered on the temple.  The earth and the heavens belong to GOD, but on this earth one country belongs to HIM in a very special way--it is the Land of a Promise.  In this Promised Land all the towns are HIS; but one among them is especially dear.  And in this city, in the heart of this city is the holy mountain on which YAHWEH's dwelling place has been built.

The temple is thus like the pivot around which the whole universe revolves.  For this reason it is understandable that its destruction in 587 was for the faith of Israel an unimaginable trial: without the temple of Jerusalem, the universe lost its center.

If the universe had by degrees been centered around the temple, with the New Testament, on the contrary, it is the CHRIST--the New Temple--who becomes the point of departure for the expansion of salvation: You will be MY witnesses, in Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" [Acts 1:8].

After making a request for his descendants, Solomon makes a request for his people.)

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GOD's Promise To David

"Then came the news, 'The Ark is in Ephrata, we found it in the fields of Jaar.'

Let us go to where HE dwells and worship at HIS footstool!

Arise, O YAHWEH, and come to YOUR rest; YOU, and the Ark of YOUR might.

May YOUR priests be arrayed in glorious mantle; may YOUR faithful ones shout in gladness.

For the sake of YOUR servant, David, do not turn away the face of YOUR Anointed.

YAHWEH swore to David a promise, and HE will remain true to it: 'I will keep your descendants on your throne,

if your sons keep MY Covenant and the decrees I have taught them; their sons, too, will sit forever upon your throne.'"

- Psalm 132:6-12

(Our LORD, our King, came to bring GOD to earth.  For this, HE labored unwearily, with sweat and even with blood.  And the result of HIS work was not a building, a Temple; but the Church, where GOD really dwells, eternally.

Verse 11 is quoted in Acts 2:30.  The psalm lends itself to accepting the present reality, without forgetting, that we are heirs to a holy history.  We pray this psalm, in union with the Anointed One, who is at the same time, the Priest of the new Temple, built on the body of the LORD.) 

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Job Addresses An Absent GOD

"Man's life on earth is a thankless job,

his days are those of a mercenary.

Like a slave he longs for the shade of evening,

like a hireling waiting for his wages.

Thus I am allotted months of boredom and nights of grief and misery.

In bed I say, 'When shall the day break?'

On rising, I think, 'When shall evening come?'

and I toss restless till down.

My body is full of worms and scabs;

my skin festers with its boils and cracks.

My days pass swifter than a weaver's shuttle,

heading without hope to their end.

My life is like wind, you well know it,

O GOD; never will I see happiness again."

- Job 7:1-7

Job, The Suffering Servant

(Job does not know GOD--FATHER and the trial brings out in him suspicions against a jealous GOD who watches people in order to punish them.

Yet Job's complaint against GOD reminds us of the friction between people who love each other, and precisely because they love each other they are more demanding.)

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JESUS, Shepherd And Prophet

"The apostles returned and reported to JESUS all they had done and taught.  Then HE said to them, 'Let us go off by ourselves into a remote place and have some rest.'  For there were so many people coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat.  And they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves.

But people saw them leaving, and many could guess where they were going.  So, from all the towns, they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them.

As JESUS went ashore, HE saw a large crowd, and HE had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.  And HE began to teach them many things." - Mark 6:30-34 

(The apostles are exhausted.  At the end of this journey they need to rest and take a deeper look at their experiences.  JESUS teaches them and helps them reflect upon what they had seen and done.

Many people coming and going.  After the disciples had gone through the villages of Galilee many people wanted to know who had sent them, and the crowd approached JESUS.

HE had compassion on them.  The Old Testament had the compassion of GOD as a FATHER, but now JESUS reveals this compassion in a different way.  No one could fully understand the mercy of GOD until the Son came to share everything with us, making HIMSELF poor among the poor, able to feel with them instead of giving them HIS words and deeds of mercy from above.

They were like sheep without a shepherd [Numbers 27:17; Isaiah 40; Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 11:4-17; 12:8].  This refers to people who had not yet found true community, and JESUS had pity on them.  The prophet Ezekiel reproached the leaders of Israel for being bad pastors, but today he might reproach us for failing to be pastors and prophets in the midst of our world. Why should we so often wait for priests, religious or a few handpicked lay people to take the initiative of assembling new communities?  Why are we so timid in proposing to "those who are outside" the light of faith that we have gratuitously received and allow them to discover in the group or community this richness?

And HE began to teach them many things.  What did HE tell them?  All that make up the Gospel.  Penetrating everyone's conscience with a prophetic gaze, JESUS showed each one where the real problem lay.  Speaking like the prophets, JESUS never enclosed and isolated the people within their personal problems: their personal progress had to be attained together with the renewal of their environment.

JESUS saw that they were burdened with difficulties but would lift them up by giving them "signs of hope."  In any situation there is something that we can do immediately to uplift  ourselves; and even before any attempt to ours, GOD already gives us signs that HE does not abandon us and that we must trust totally in HIM.)

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I Send MY Messenger To Prepare The Way

"Now I AM sending MY messenger ahead of ME, to clear the way; then, suddenly, the LORD, for whom you long, will enter the Sanctuary.  The envoy of the Covenant which you so greatly desire, already comes, says YAHWEH of hosts.  Who can bear the day of his coming and remain standing when he appears?  For he will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching.

He will be as a refiner or a fuller.  He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them, like gold and silver.  So YAHWEH will have priests who will present the offering as it should be.  Then YAHWEH will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in former days." - Malachi 3:1-4 

Sarah And John The Baptist

(Now I AM sending MY messenger.  To those complaining that GOD does not reveal HIS justice nor reward sufficiently those who serve HIM, Malachi responds by declaring that the LORD will come soon.  He announces the coming of a messenger of GOD who will be responsible for preparing the way for HIM, and that will be the sign of HIS coming soon.

The paragraphs point to John the Baptist.  The Gospel will recall them in Luke 1:17; 7:27; John 3:22.  Also see Mark 9:11.)

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Praise YAHWEH Your GOD

"David praised YAHWEH before the entire assembly:

'May YOU be praised, YAHWEH GOD of Israel our ancestor, forever and ever!  YOURS, YAHWEH, is the greatness, the power, splendor, length of days, glory; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is YOURS.  YOURS is the sovereignty forever, O YAHWEH; YOU are supreme ruler over all.  Riches and honor go before YOU; YOU are ruler of all; in YOUR hand lie strength and power.  YOU are the one who gives greatness and strength to all.'" - 1 Chronicles 29:10-12 

(David, a king, all praises to GOD; so, as Christians, we should all be.)

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The Joy Of Being Forgiven

"Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven, whose iniquity is wiped away.

Blessed are those in whom YAHWEH sees no guilt and in whose spirit is found no deceit.

When I kept my sin in secret,

my body wasted away;

I was moaning all day long.

YOUR hand, day and night, lay heavy upon me;

draining my strength, parching my heart,

as in the heat of a summer drought.

Then I made known to YOU my sin

and uncovered before YOU my fault,

saying to myself,

'To YAHWEH I will now confess my wrong.'

And YOU, YOU forgave my sin;

YOU removed my guilt.

So let the faithful ones pray

to YOU in time of distress;

the overflowing waters will not reach them.

YOU are my refuge;

YOU protect me from distress

and surround me with songs of deliverance."

- Psalm 32:1-7

(Perhaps it is unfair to call this a "penitential psalm" as the mood is more of joy than penance.  There may be a lesson here that the virtuous life is not a gloomy one.  Suppression and self-deception, as the psalm admits, never made for happiness.  Free acknowledgment of GOD and of ourselves is a duty, but it is also a health medicine.  This conclusion drawn by the psalmist, is followed by the voice of GOD confirming it.  GOD is anxious to lead us along this way.  We have only to be docile; HE will do the rest.

In Christian language, sin signifies that we committed a wrong, not necessarily with a law, but toward someone we love.  Our well being, in the truest meaning of the word, depends on the quality of our relationship with GOD.  What sin has destroyed will only be restored by trust in GOD, who pardons the humble and the repentant.

The psalmist reminds us of the power of confession.  it converts a guilty sinner into a pure and wholesome child of GOD.  JESUS died for the forgiveness of our sins and by HIS blood we are saved.  At the Eucharist, we acknowledge and confess our sins and in the sacrament, we confess individually and privately to convert ourselves into better human beings, to enable us to enter GOD's kingdom.

This psalm is for those who can say truly: "I confess to GOD...")

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