You Shall Not Curse The Ruler Of Your People

"The next day, the commander wanted to know for certain, the charges the Jews were making against Paul.  So, he released him from prison and called together the High Priest and the whole Council; and they brought Paul down and made him stand before them.

Paul looked directly at the Council and said, 'Brothers to this day, I have lived my life with a clear conscience before GOD.'  At that, the High Priest Ananias ordered his attendants to strike him on the mouth.  Then Paul said, 'GOD is about to strike you, you whitewashed wall!  You sit there, to judge me according to the law, and you break the law, by ordering me to be struck!'  At this, the attendants protested,  'How dare you insult GOD's High Priest!'  Paul answered, 'Brothers, I did not know that he was the High Priest.  For Scripture says: You shall not curse the ruler of your people.'

Paul knew, that part of the Council were Sadducees and others Pharisees; so he spoke out in the Council, 'Brothers, I am a Pharisee, son of a Pharisee.  It is for the hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial here.'  

At these words, an argument broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the whole assembly was divided.  For the Sadducees claim that, their is neither resurrection, nor angels nor spirits; while the Pharisees acknowledge all these things.

Then, the shouting grew louder; and some teachers of the law of the Pharisee party protested, 'We find nothing wrong with this man.  Maybe a spirit or an angel has spoken to him.'

With this, the argument became so violent that the commander feared that Paul would be torn to pieces by them.  He, therefore, ordered the soldiers to go down and rescue him from their midst, and take him back to the fortress.

That night, the LORD stood by Paul and said, 'Courage!  As you have borne witness to ME here, in Jerusalem, so must you in Rome.'" - Acts 22:30-23:11 

Paul On Trial

(To understand the chapters dealing with Paul's trial we have to remember that justice in the Roman empire was very well organized.  The supreme tribunal was in Rome: this was the Tribunal of Caesar, and Roman citizens fearing a mistrial in their province could appeal to the Tribunal of Caesar.  There were governors [or procurators] who administered justice in each province.  In the Jewish territory, the Romans who occupied the country kept the important cases for themselves, but they left the rest to the Jewish tribunals, especially religious affairs.  Paul was to go through various tribunals, beginning with the Sanhedrin, or religious court of the Jews, all the way to the tribunal of Caesar.

Thus, through Paul, the words of JESUS entrusting to HIS apostles the mission of proclaiming HIM before Jewish and pagan authorities was to be fulfilled.

Paul tries to make the resurrection of CHRIST the theme of HIS declaration.  There was a trial to condemn JESUS.  Now,  Paul tries to have the governors pay attention to the cause of the risen JESUS, and he succeeds.

In every age, such will be the zeal of the witnesses of CHRIST when they are accused: to demonstrate that they are not acting out of self-interest, nor from any human motive, but because they are the servants of CHRIST.)

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JESUS Put An End To The Old Testament Form Of Worship

"I AM no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to YOU.  Holy FATHER, keep those YOU have given ME in YOUR name, so that they may be one, as WE also are,

When I was with them, I kept them safe in YOUR name; and not one was lost, except the one who was already lost, and in this, the Scripture was fulfilled.  And now I come to YOU; in the world I speak these things, so that those whom YOU gave ME, might have joy--all MY joy within themselves.

I have given them YOUR word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I AM not of the world, I do not ask YOU to remove them from the world, but to keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I AM not of the world.  Consecrate them in the truth.  YOUR word is truth.

I have sent them into the world as YOU sent ME into the world; and for their sake, I go to the sacrifice by which I AM consecrated, so that they too may be consecrated in truth." - John 17:11-19 

(Priestly Prayer is the name many give to that prayer in which CHRIST, before HE died, offered to sacrifice HIS own life, as both priest and victim.  The word to consecrate applied to two things: the priest was consecrated, that is, was made worthy to offer the sacrifice, and he also consecrated [made holy] the victim on sacrificing it.

JESUS put an end to the Old Testament form of worship that the Jews rendered to GOD in the temple for centuries.  The Israelites were holy; that is to say, their mission among all the nations was to serve the Holy GOD, whom they knew by a special privilege.

JESUS prays for HIS own so that they may become the new people [Psalm 102:19], consecrated to GOD, this time according to the truth.  HE will pour over them the Spirit of Truth, who has been promised to Israel and will instruct us interiorly.)

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Prayer Of JESUS For The New Holy People

"After saying this, JESUS lifted up HIS eyes to heaven and said, 'FATHER. the hour has come!  Give glory to YOUR Son, that the Son may give glory to YOU.  YOU have given HIM power over all humanity, so that HE may give eternal life to all those YOU entrusted to HIM.  For this is eternal life: to know  YOU, the only true GOD, and the One YOU sent, JESUS CHRIST.

I have glorified YOU on earth and finished the work that YOU gave ME to do.  Now, FATHER, give ME, in YOUR presence, the same glory I had with YOU before the world began.

I had made YOUR name known to those YOU gave ME from the world.  They were YOURS, and YOU gave them to ME, and they kept YOUR word.  And now they know that whatever YOU entrusted to ME, is indeed from YOU.  I have given them the teaching I received from YOU, and they accepted it, and know in truth that I came from YOU; and they believe that YOU sent ME.

I pray for them.  I do not pray for the world, but for those who belong to YOU, and whom YOU have given to ME.  Indeed all I have is YOURS, and all YOU have is MINE; and now they are MY glory.  I AM no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to YOU.  Holy FATHER, keep those YOU have given ME in YOUR name, so that they may be one, as WE also are.'" - John 17:1-11 

(Keep those YOU have given ME in YOUR name.  In other words: keep them in the radiance of YOUR own sanctity, with which YOU embrace YOUR Son.  At that moment JESUS prayed for HIS Church, to whom HE entrusted HIS own mission.  The principal duty of the Church is to know GOD.  Whatever the situation of the Church might be, its proper and indispensable mission will be to keep and proclaim the true knowledge of GOD and the commandment of HIS Son.

JESUS wants each of his own to know GOD.  This knowledge comes to us when we interiorize the word of GOD, persevere in prayer and join community celebrations.  In this we will have the help of the Holy Spirit, from whom come the gifts of knowledge and wisdom [Colossians 1:9].  From knowledge will spring good works and love; this is the beginning of eternal life in which we will see GOD as HE is [1 John 2:3].

JESUS prayed that HIS Church might be one, that is to say, that it might be the sign of unity in a divided world.  It is not enough that CHRIST is preached; it is also necessary for the world to see in its midst the Church, one and united.

Catholic Church, means, universal.  In the Church no one is a stranger.  One Church, through one same spirit, and through the visible unity of its members.)

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To The GOD Of Glory And Compassion: A Psalm Of Worship

"Alleluia!

Praise, O servants of YAHWEH,

praise the name of YAHWEH!

Blessed be the name of YAHWEH

now and forever!

From eastern lands to the western islands,

may the name of YAHWEH be praised!

YAHWEH is exalted over the nations;

HIS glory above the heavens.

Who is like YAHWEH our GOD,

who sits enthroned on high,

but also bends down to see

on earth as in heaven?

HE lifts up the poor from the dust

and the needy from the ash heap.

HE makes them sit with princes,

with rulers of HIS people."

- Psalm 113:1-8

(The psalmist urges the people to offer praise to the Almighty LORD of heaven and earth.  GOD calls them HIS friends, raising them up to HIS own height.

What distinguishes GOD from humans is not the infinity of HIS creation, but HIS way of being with us, HIS preference for what many despise.  GOD likes to choose poor instruments, to achieve HIS great deeds of grace.

Our GOD does not remain isolated in heaven.  HE has come down to earth.  HE has become one of us, identified with those who are helpless.  With the present psalm, let us exalt the Name of the LORD, great and sublime.)

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GOD Has Put All Things Under The Feet Of CHRIST

"May the GOD of CHRIST JESUS our LORD, the FATHER of glory, reveal HIMSELF to you, and give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that you may know HIM.

May HE enlighten your inner vision, that you may appreciate the things we hope for, since we were called by GOD.

May you know how great is the inheritance, the glory, GOD sets apart for HIS saints; may you understand, with what extraordinary power, HE acts in favor of us who believe.

HE revealed HIS almighty power in CHRIST when HE raised HIM from the dead, and had HIM sit at HIS right hand in heaven, far above all rule, power, authority, dominion, or any other supernatural force that could be named, not only in this world, but in the world to come as well.

Thus has GOD put all things under the feet of CHRIST and set HIM above all things, as head of the church, which is HIS body, the fullness of HIM, who fills all in all." - Ephesians 1:17-23 

(Far above all power.  In Paul's days, neither Jews nor Christians doubted that the world was governed by supernatural powers, "angels."  They called them: Rulers, Powers, Authorities, Dominion, and Paul was saying to them: all these Powers are inferior to CHRIST.  In our days we express ourselves differently.  Nevertheless, we see the universe subject to the laws of nature, to the forces of matter and of life.  It is also subject to obscure forces: collective prejudices, vice and fanaticism.  These ruled the world, preventing the emergence of humanity, until the coming of CHRIST: see Galatians 3:23.

GOD has put all things under the feet of CHRIST.  This means the same as the words of our creed: "JESUS is seated at the right hand of GOD."  It means that in rising, CHRIST, the GOD-Human became the First in the universe.  All things under HIS feet except humankind.

Paul adds: "HE made HIM head of the Church".  CHRIST acts differently in two areas: in the world, where HE is the invisible center in charge; in the Church, of which HE is the head, where HE can show the riches of HIS Spirit.)

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The Way

"After spending sometime there, he left and traveled from place to place through Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the disciples.

A certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived at Ephesus.  He was an eloquent speaker and an authority on the Scriptures, and he had some knowledge of the way of the LORD.  With great enthusiasm he preached, and taught correctly, about JESUS, although he knew only of John's baptism.  As he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, Priscilla and Aquila heard him; so they took him home with them and explained to him the way more accurately.  As Apollos wished to go to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.  When he arrived, he greatly strengthened those who, by GOD's grace, had become believers, for he vigorously refuted the Jews, proving from the Scriptures that JESUS is the Messiah." - Acts 18:23-28 

(Paul does not stay in Ephesus, the capital of the province of Asia.  He is in a hurry to return, after two and a half years of mission.  He goes up to Jerusalem and returns to Antioch, which is the first and the main among the churches in the pagan world.  Paul goes there to rest after every journey.  The life of this large community, with years of experience, and the contact with its apostles, helped him to see what the future of the Church would be.

When he leaves again, Paul visits the churches established on his second mission.  This takes him several months, so he will only arrive at Ephesus in 54 A.D.  Meanwhile a church had been established there.

During Paul's absence, Aquila, Priscilla and others resumed the first contacts that he had established in the Jewish community.  An important success: the integration of Apollos who will be one of the most valued missionaries [1 Corinthians 3:6; 4:6; 15:12].  Apollos, we are told, knew something of The Way.  We have already met this term which denoted Christianity: not only a religion, nor only a faith or morale, but all that together and more.  Apollos, like the twelve men mentioned in 19:1-7, had probably been in Palestine when JESUS was already known there.  His teaching had not yet given rise to a movement nor made a stir equal to that resulting from John the Baptist's preaching, which was followed by baptisms and commitments.

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YOUR Kingdom Come

"Clap your hands, all you peoples;

acclaim GOD with shouts of joy.

For YAHWEH, the Most High, is to be feared;

HE is a great king all over the earth.

HE brings people under our dominion

and puts nations under our feet.

HE chose our inheritance for us--

the pride of Jacob whom HE loves!

GOD ascends amid joyful shouts,

YAHWEH amid trumpet blasts.

Sing praises to GOD, sing praises!

Sing praises to our King, sing praises!"

- Psalm 47:2-7

LORD Of The Ascension

('YOUR kingdom come,' we pray, and yet GOD's kingdom has already come.  But we are thinking of our own acceptance of it, our practical acknowledgment of GOD's sovereignty.  However, there is always comfort in throwing responsibility on GOD, as nations, their king and military leader once did.  Hence the note of joy in this psalm, and GOD 'goes up' to the sound of it.  No doubt, this refers to the procession with the Ark, brought up the Temple hill.  For us there is another 'ascension.'  The glorified body of CHRIST has thrown off the chains of place and time, and has power to lead us always and everywhere.  This is surely a psalm for the feast of the Ascension.)

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The Promise Of A New Presence

"A little while, and you will see ME no more; and then a little while, and you will see ME.

Some of the disciples wondered, 'What does HE mean by, 'A little while, and you will not see ME; and then a little while, and you will see ME'?  And why did HE say, 'I go to the FATHER'?  And they said to one another, 'What does HE mean by a little while'?  We don't understand.'

JESUS knew that they wanted to question HIM; so HE said to them, 'You are puzzled because I told you that in a little while you will see ME no more, and then a little while later you will see ME.

Truly, I say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.  You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.'" - John 16:16-20 

(JESUS is in our midst, but to be aware of HIS presence requires faith.  HE HIMSELF said: "You will see ME because you live and I also live [14:19]."  It is not important that we feel HIS presence, what matters is to persevere in HIS ways.  In order to attain mature faith, it is necessary that we be deprived of the consolation of HIS presence for more or less prolonged periods: a little while, and you will see ME no more.

For HIS disciples this happened for the first time at the moment of HIS death; later they saw HIM risen from the dead.  This will come true for us at the end of time, when we discover the glorious CHRIST whom we have awaited in faith.  No one should feel overconfident about feeling HIS presence, for example, after a conversion.  When everything seems easy, we should not look down on those who find it hard to believe or who have never felt the presence of GOD.  In a little while, perhaps, the LORD will leave us in darkness.

After JESUS rose from the dead, a real companionship would be established between HIM and HIS disciples: HE would speak to them clearly of the FATHER; they would ask in HIS name.)

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The Spirit Will Take What Is MINE, And Make It Known To You

"I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now.  When HE, the Spirit of truth comes, HE will guide you into the whole truth.

For HE will not speak of HIS own authority, but will speak what HE hears, and HE will tell you about the things which are to come.  HE will take what is MINE and make it known to you; in doing this, HE will glorify ME.  All that the FATHER has is MINE; for this reason, I told you that the Spirit will take what is MINE, and make it known to you." - John 16:12-15 

(The Spirit guides missionaries; HE gives them the power to perform miracles; HE gives to believers the knowledge of GOD, new capacities for working, healing, serving and shaking up a sinful world.  Throughout history the Spirit would rise up people of faith, martyrs, prophets, and through them transform the world.  In this way the Savior, seemingly defeated, would be justified; and it becomes evident that the loser is Satan, who already has been condemned.  The evil spirit, great director of the worldly show, is displaced and his influence limited.  A new force, which is the Spirit, orients history and guides us towards the total truth.)

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What Is The Path Of Righteousness?

"But now I AM going to the One who sent ME, and none of you asks ME where I AM going; instead you are overcome with grief, because of what I have said.

Believe ME, it is better for you that I go away, because as long as I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.  But if I go away, I will send HIM to you, and when HE comes, HE will vindicate the truth before a sinful world; and HE will vindicate the paths of righteousness and justice.

What is the world's sin, in regard to ME?  Disbelief.  What is the path of righteousness?  It is the path I walk, by which I go to the FATHER; and you shall see ME no more.  What is the path of justice?  It is the path on which the prince of this world will always stand condemned." - John 16:5-11 

(Starting from the day of Pentecost, the Spirit began to act in the Church, thus showing that HE was the Spirit of CHRIST.  The unbelieving Jews thought that GOD was with them, but in reality HIS Spirit did not act among them.  So it was clear that they had sinned [16:9] for not believing in CHRIST.

What is the path of righteousness?  The righteous One is CHRIST and the righteous persons are those who believe in HIM without seeing HIM.

The Acts of the Apostles records how the Spirit worked in the first disciples of JESUS.  Before granting miraculous powers, the Spirit gave them joy, peace, and mutual love, as well as inner certainty that JESUS had risen and was among them.)

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"If You Think I Am Faithful To The LORD, Come And Stay At My House."

"So, we put out to sea from Troas and sailed straight across to Samothrace Island; and the next day, to Neapolis.  From there, we went inland to Philippi, the leading city of the district of Macedonia, and a Roman colony.  We spent some days in that city.

On the Sabbath, we went outside the city gate, to the bank of the river, where we thought the Jews would gather to pray.  We sat down and began speaking to the women who were gathering there.  One of them was a God-fearing woman, named, Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a dealer in purple cloth.

As she listened, the LORD opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.  After she had been baptized, together with her household, she invited us to her house, 'If you think I am faithful to the LORD, come and stay at my house.'  And she persuaded us to accept her invitation." - Acts 16:11-15 

Lydia Of Thyatira

(Luke gives but a few details of a journey that probably lasted two years.  Paul's letters give us an idea of the unremitting work he undertook to form believers and their leaders: a mission is more than gathering people together and preaching to them; it has to arouse and convert those who will give life to the community--a life of its own and which will continue to develop.)

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HE First Loved Us

"MY dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from GOD.  Everyone who loves, is born of GOD and knows GOD.

Those who do not love have not known GOD, for GOD is love.

How did the love of GOD appear among us?  GOD sent HIS only Son into this world, that we might have life, through HIM.

This is love: not that we loved GOD, but that, HE first loved us and sent HIS Son, as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:7-10 

(GOD-Love is the source of love and faith.

GOD is love.  The supreme revelation, characteristic of the Christian faith.  Other religions know of a GOD who is good and compassionate: no other religion has known that the dynamism of love moves the entire creation and that its source lies in GOD-Love.

In this beautiful text John insists on the inseparability of love of GOD and love of our neighbor.  We all know this, but sometimes we might wonder why it is so.  John gives us the paramount reason; love comes from GOD.  If we can love GOD, it is because GOD loved us first; if we love each other it is because GOD's love extends among us.

HE first loved us: through HIS eternal predestination [Ephesians 1:4], the sending of HIS Son and through HIS sacrifice [Romans 5:8].  If we are authentically loving, we never feel superior nor that we have merits, as do those who boast of their good works.  We simply realize that the love of GOD works through us.

The lives of those who dedicate themselves lovingly to serving the abandoned, the sick, the elderly, and those no longer useful to society are justified and so are the lives of those who withdraw from ordinary life to dedicate themselves more totally to a more intimate love of GOD.) 

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The Hostile World

"If the world hates you, remember that the world hated ME before you.  This would not be so if you belonged to the world, because the world loves its own.  But you are not of the world, since I have chosen you from the world; because of this the world hates you.

Remember what I told you: the servant is not greater than his master; if they persecuted ME, they will also persecute you.  If they kept MY word, they will keep yours as well.  All this they will do to you  on account of MY name, because they do not know the One who sent ME." - John 15:18-21 

(In spite of JESUS' having returned to HIS FATHER to initiate a more effective and universal presence among humankind, Satan continues to act with the power he has usurped.  The hatred of those who belong to Satan is directed against the believers and the Church.  Such helpers of Satan are called in John's Gospel: the world.

Believers are destined to be hated by the world.  It often happens that when a person begins to live in a more Christian and responsible way, she meets with opposition and hatred from her own family.  No one knows what has aroused the hatred, but the devil does, who moves everything to discourage us.)

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Love One Another As I Have Loved You!

"This is MY commandment: Love one another as I have loved you!  There is no greater love than this, to give one's life for one's friends; and you are MY friends, if you do what I command you.

I shall not call you servants any more, because servants do not know what their master is about.  Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from MY FATHER.

You did not choose ME; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.  And everything you ask the FATHER in MY name, HE will give you.

This is MY command, that you love one another." - John 15:12-17 

(After making it clear that we depend totally on HIM, JESUS repeats HIS commandment of love.  There is a necessary order in building the Christian life.

If from the start we say: We should love our neighbor because this is the only commandment, we will achieve nothing; because each one understands love in his own way, while not having as yet interiorized the thinking of CHRIST.  Moreover, we need to receive from the source of all love the ability to love selflessly.  CHRIST asks us to first share HIS thinking: that is what the expression, keep MY commandments means.  Thus we become HIS friends, knowing HIM as a person who loves us and acts in us.  Later we will produce the authentic fruit of love, whose source is CHRIST.)

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

"The heavens declare the glory of GOD;

the firmament proclaims the work of HIS hands.

Day talks it over with day;

night hands on the knowledge to night.

No speech, no words, no voice is heard--

but the call goes on, throughout the universe,

the message is felt to the ends of the earth."

- Psalm 19:2-5

(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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Greeting To Jerusalem: Pilgrimage Song

"I rejoiced with those who said to me,

'Let us go to the house of YAHWEH!'

And now we have set foot 

within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem, just like a city,

where everything falls into place!

There, the tribes go up,

the tribes of YAHWEH, the assembly of Israel,

to give thanks to YAHWEH's name.

There stand the courts of justice,

the offices of the house of David."

- Psalm 122:1-5

Pilgrims To Jerusalem

(Joy of the pilgrim who reaches his goal at last--Jerusalem, elected home of GOD, venerable in the tradition of Israel.  Here is a deep sense of homecoming and of pride in that home.  We of the world-wide 'Israel of GOD' have no city to house us all; we are 'of the household of the faith' [Galatians 6:10].  But we have the brothers and sisters whom JESUS promised to those in HIS company [Mark 9:30]; we have a home which we call 'the Church.'  It stands scarred with years of siege but, by GOD's grace, compact and dignified by the marks of resistance.  We may take pride in it because the strength of its walls is from GOD.  It will never have peace from without; let us pray and work for its peace within, which is 'the love of brethren.')

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"The Only Place Where Prophets Are Not Welcome Is His Hometown And In His Own Family."

"HE went to HIS hometown and taught the people in their synagogue.  They were amazed and said, 'Where did HE get this wisdom and these special powers?  Isn't HE the carpenter's son?  Isn't Mary HIS mother and aren't James, Joseph, Simon and Judas HIS brothers?  Aren't all HIS sisters living here?  Where did HE get all these things?'  And so they took offense at HIM.

JESUS said to them, 'The only place where prophets are not welcome is his hometown and in his own family.'  And HE did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of faith." - Matthew 13:54-58 

(JESUS lost HIS relatives but found HIS true brothers and sisters.  When we commit ourselves to GOD's work, we discover new brothers and sisters and a mother, Mary, of whom the Gospel says, "Happy are you for having believed that GOD's promises would be fulfilled."  JESUS does not say, "HE is MY FATHER," for the FATHER is one and HE is in Heaven.)

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The Paraclete

"Whoever keeps MY commandments is the one who loves ME.  If he loves ME, he will also be loved by MY FATHER; I too shall love him and show MYSELF clearly to him.

Judas--not Judas Iscariot--asked JESUS, 'LORD, how can it be that YOU will show YOURSELF clearly to us and not to the world?'  JESUS answered him, 'If anyone loves ME, he will keep MY word and MY FATHER will love him; and WE will come to him and live with him.  But if anyone does not love ME, he will not keep MY words; and these words that you hear are not MINE, but the FATHER's who sent ME.

I told you all this while I AM still with you.  From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the FATHER will send in MY name, will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I have told you." - John 14:21-26 

(LORD, how can it be that YOU will show YOURSELF clearly to us and not to the world?  Judas thought that JESUS meant HE would summon them for secret meetings, but JESUS really meant HE would make HIMSELF known to them through interior teaching and by letting them experience peace.

The Holy Spirit whom the FATHER will send in MY name.  The Holy Spirit proceeds as much from the FATHER as from the Son being, with them, only one GOD.  JESUS refers to the Holy Spirit whom HE calls the Paraclete.  This Greek word has several meanings.  Here we use Helper.  The Spirit helps the believers and inspires their prayer so that it may be heard [Romans 8:26].)

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Everytime Conscience Reproaches Us

"My dear children, let us love, not only with words and with our lips, but in truth and in deed.

Then, we shall know that we are of the truth, and we may calm our conscience in HIS presence.  Every time it reproaches us, let us say: GOD is greater than our conscience, and HE knows everything.

When our conscience does not condemn us, dear friends, we may have complete confidence in GOD.  Then, whatever we ask, we shall receive, since we keep HIS commands and do what pleases HIM.

HIS command is, that we believe in the name of HIS Son JESUS CHRIST, and that, we love one another, as HE has commanded us.

Whoever keeps HIS commands remains in GOD and GOD in him.  It is by the Spirit GOD has given us, that we know HE lives in us." - 1 John 3:18-24 

(Every time it (conscience) reproaches us.  Doubtless John wishes to say that GOD knows and judges us better than we can ourselves.  HE does it with a love that is lacking in us.  We should beware of the guilt feelings for faults which we have regretted and doubtless repaired: this form of anguish encloses us within ourselves instead of turning to GOD who knows what to do with ruined lives and make them new again.

To believe in the name, that is to say, in the divinity of CHRIST.)  

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I AM In The FATHER, And The FATHER Is In ME, And You In ME

"If you know ME, you will know the FATHER also; indeed you know HIM, and you have seen HIM.

Philip asked HIM, 'LORD, show us the FATHER, and that is enough.'  JESUS said to him, 'What!  I have been with you so long and still you do not know ME, Philip?  Whoever sees ME sees the FATHER; how can you say, 'Show us the FATHER'?  Do you not believe that I AM in the FATHER and the FATHER is in ME?

All that I say to you, I do not say of MYSELF.  The FATHER who dwells in ME is doing HIS own work.  Believe ME when I say that I AM in the FATHER and the FATHER is in ME; at least believe it on the evidence of these works that I do.

Truly, I say to you, the one who believes in ME will do the same works that I do; and he will even do greater than these, for I AM going to the FATHER.  Everything you ask in MY name, I will do, so that the FATHER may be glorified in the Son.  Indeed, anything you ask, calling upon MY name, I will do it." - John 14:7-14 

(I AM in the FATHER, and the FATHER is in ME, and you in ME.  CHRIST makes us enter into the divine family.  Thus, we no longer speak of approaching GOD as if HE were far from us.  We no longer feel as if GOD were a single person in front of us.  We enter "into" the mysterious life of the divine Persons who share everything and who are the one and only GOD.  Material things cannot penetrate each other; but in the world of the spirit such is possible.  CHRIST is in the FATHER and the FATHER in HIM.  They make their home within us.)

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I'M Going To The FATHER

"'Do not be troubled!  Trust in GOD and trust in ME!  In MY FATHER's house there are many rooms; otherwise, I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.  After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to ME, so that where I AM, you also may be.  Yet you know the way where I AM going.'

Thomas said to HIM, 'LORD, we don't know where YOU are going; how can we know the way?'  JESUS said, 'I AM the way, the truth  and the life; no one comes to the FATHER but through ME.'" - John 14:1-6 

The Ascension Of JESUS CHRIST

(JESUS ascension to the FATHER was not just an individual achievement, but opened for all of us a way to our house, not situated high above us, but in GOD.  There are many mansions, that means that there is also a place for us: not just one mansion for everybody, but a place for each one, because Heaven is not like a performance which is the same for everyone in the audience.  GOD's radiance will draw from each one the resonance only HE can bring forth.  Each one will be in his own mansion, being in communion with all.

Now, knowing what is the goal, we should walk towards this definitive communion.  "I AM the way," says JESUS.  HE became human precisely so that we might see the FATHER in HIM.  HE followed HIS way, so disconcerting for us, so that, meditating on HIS actions, we would progress towards the truth.  Although in the beginning we may not understand HIM well, with time, we will discover the LORD and understand that HIS way is ours.  Passing through the cross and death, we will achieve our own truth and arrive at life.)

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Whoever Welcomes The One I Send, Welcomes ME

"Truly, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than he who sent him.  Understand this, and blessed are you, if you put it into practice.

I AM not speaking of you all, because I know the ones I have chosen, and the Scripture has to be fulfilled which says: The one who shares MY table will rise up against ME.  I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may know that I AM HE.

Truly, I say to you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes ME; and whoever welcomes ME, welcomes the One who sent ME." - John 13:16-20 

(The apostles will do what their LORD did before them, since HE will send them in HIS name to forgive sins.  They are not to act as hierarchical officials or judges granting pardon to sinners but to take the first step in humility and mercy, in order to likewise purify those who approach the Supper of the LORD.)

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Proclaim The Good News To All Creation

"Then HE told them, 'Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.  The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; the one who refuses to believe will be condemned.  Signs like these will accompany those who have believed: in MY name they will cast out demons and speak new languages; they will pick up snakes, and if they drink anything poisonous, they will be unharmed; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.'

So then, after speaking to them, the LORD JESUS was taken up into heaven and took HIS place at the right hand of GOD.  The Eleven went forth and preached everywhere, while the LORD worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it." - Mark 16:15-20 

(The Good News is the seed that will be planted in the world and will flourish, in its proper time, in every field of human endeavor.  Salvation is not a matter of saving isolated souls or individual beings.  The Gospel is to be proclaimed to all creation in all activities and acts of those who have been renewed by baptism.  They are to be the yeast that transforms human history.)

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The Foundation Of The Church At Antioch

"Those who had been scattered, because of the persecution over Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, proclaiming the message, but only to the Jews.  But there were some natives of Cyprus and Cyrene among them who, on coming to Antioch, spoke also to the Greeks, giving them the good news of the LORD JESUS.  The hand of the LORD was with them so that a great number believed and turned to the LORD.

News of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he arrived and saw the manifest signs of GOD's favor, he rejoiced and urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the LORD; for he, himself, was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.  Thus large crowds came to know the LORD.

Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus, to look for Saul; and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch.  For a whole year, they had meetings with the Church and instructed many people.  It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians." - Acts 11:19-26 

(Antioch, 500 kilometers north of Jerusalem, was the principal town of the Roman province of Syria, a pagan country, where Greek was spoken but where there was an important Jewish community.  Luke does not tell us who presented the Christian faith to the pagans for the first time, nor how that happened.  The Christians of Jewish origin that did it would deserve a statue, or better still a feast in our liturgy.  So there is at Antioch for the first time a community where Jews and non-Jews are assembled: the future of the Church was there.  The Jerusalem community is the Rome of the primitive Church.  It is conscious of its authority and immediately asks to examine more closely this extraordinary new happening: a Church where Jews accept to rub shoulders with the uncircumcised.

The Jerusalem community behaved as having authority over the new churches; the case of Antioch would touch everyone since, for the Palestinian Jews, accepting pagans was something of a scandal.  Did not the law of Moses forbid living with "uncircumcised" people?)

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Long For GOD, As A Deer Longs For Flowing Streams

"As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for YOU, O GOD.

My soul thirsts for GOD, for the living GOD.

When shall I go and see the face of GOD?

Day and night, my tears have been my food,

as people ask me, day after day, 

'Where is your GOD?'"

- Psalm 42:2-4

(The Levite is far from Jerusalem.  He is exiled in the land, where the Jordan rises.  The sound of its falling waters is to him a dirge for the lost happiness of the Temple feasts.

We, too, are in exile and this psalm should deepen our consciousness of it.  But our longings are not for 'this mountain' [John 4:21] or that, as the psalmist's was for Zion.  Our LORD has brought us a higher hope.  Our destiny is to 'see the face of GOD,' not only in the mediating forms of sacred ceremony.  We are to see HIM 'as HE is' [1 John 3:2].  Ask GOD for the desire for heaven.  We, too, like the Levite, are exiles here below, as long as we do not see the face of GOD.  It is good that we are not too quickly satisfied with a few beautiful ceremonies.

Long for GOD, as a deer longs for flowing streams, and our happiness will last forever and not just for long.)

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We Shall Be Like HIM

"See what singular love the FATHER has for us: we are called children of GOD, and we really are.  This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know HIM.

Beloved, we are GOD's children, and what we shall be has not, yet, been shown.  Yet, when HE appears in HIS glory, we know, that we shall be like HIM, for, then, we shall see HIM as HE is.  All who have such a hope, try to be pure, as HE is pure." - 1 John 3:1-2 

(How do we prove that we are GOD's children?  According to same criteria that we have already seen: breaking away from sin, keeping the commandment of love, proclaiming our faith.  There are many ways of saying we are GOD's children.  One person might simply think: "GOD loves people" means that human beings have great dignity.  Here John calls our attention to two points:

- you are sons and daughters, but in order to become like GOD, do not seek anything else but to be perfect as GOD is perfect;

- you are children who will return to the FATHER.  Do you really think about the unique and transcendent end for which GOD has chosen you?  Being aware of this, let us understand that GOD purifies in a thousand ways, because only in this way we can attain our goal.

We shall be like HIM:  sharing all that GOD is and somehow becoming GOD with GOD [see 1 Corinthians 13:13].  Those who now bear their lives of suffering with CHRIST will be transfigured like HIM [Mark 9:2-3; Colossians 3:4].  Then the universe will reach its goal, having the children of GOD as its center [Romans 8:19] or better, the New Creature.)

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Prayer Of A Person Saved From Death

"How can I repay YAHWEH

for all HIS goodness to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation

and call on the name of YAHWEH.

I will fulfill my vows to YAHWEH

in the presence of all HIS people.

It is painful to YAHWEH

to see the death of HIS faithful.

O YAHWEH, I am YOUR servant,

truly YOUR servant, YOUR handmaid's son.

YOU have freed me from my bonds.

I will offer YOU a thanksgiving sacrifice;

I will call on the name of YAHWEH."

- Psalm 116:12-17

(This psalm is a simple prayer of thanks to GOD, after an escape from death by sickness, accident or malice.

We can pray with this psalm, when we have overcome mortal dangers or solved personal conflicts.  It is good for everything to remain in the sphere of the love of GOD, in whom we believe.)

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How Can This Man Give Us HIS Flesh To Eat?

"The Jews were arguing among themselves, 'How can this man give us HIS flesh to eat?'  So JESUS replied, 'Truly, I say to you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink HIS blood, you have no life in you.   The one who eats MY flesh and drinks MY blood lives eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

MY flesh is really food, and MY blood is truly drink.  Those who eat MY flesh and drink MY blood, live in ME, and I in them.  Just as the FATHER, who is life, sent ME, and I have life from the FATHER, so whoever eats ME will have life from ME.  This is the bread from heaven; not like that of your ancestors, who ate and later died.  Those who eat this bread will live forever.'

JESUS spoke in this way in Capernaum when HE taught them in the synagogue." - John 6:52-59 

(JESUS becomes our bread when we eat HIS body in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

How can this man give us flesh to eat?  Thus spoke the Israelites who distrusted GOD in the desert [Numbers 11:4 and 18].  John plays on the same words and gives them a different meaning here: why would a messenger from heaven give flesh to the world, when what we need is something spiritual?  JESUS answers in verse 63: this flesh to eat may sound like food for bodily sustenance, but it is really a sharing in the life of the risen CHRIST transformed by the Spirit.  For that reason it gives life [verse 63].

Through material means the believer participates in a heavenly reality and enters into communion with the risen CHRIST.  The Church defines sacrament as something material that symbolizes and brings about a spiritual reality.  When we faithfully participate in a sacrament, we encounter the living CHRIST in person renewing our lives.  In the Supper of the LORD, that is, in the Eucharist, we really receive the body and blood of CHRIST, in what appears to be only bread and wine.  The risen CHRIST becomes for us the food of eternal life.

JESUS acts as living bread in us.  When we eat ordinary bread our body digests and assimilates it, but when we eat living bread [the body of CHRIST], this bread actively changes us.  CHRIST transforms us; gives HIS life to us and unites us with HIMSELF: Whoever eats ME will have life in ME.

Flesh and blood.  In Hebrew culture flesh and blood denotes the human being in his mortal condition.  JESUS wants us to make our own HIS entire human being in its humble and mortal condition, and communicates to us HIS divinity.)