There Is Good Seed And There Are Weeds, And Each One Goes Toward What He Prefers

"YAHWEH reigns; let the earth rejoice;

let the distant islands be glad.

Clouds and darkness surround HIM;

justice and right, are HIS throne.

Fire goes before HIM,

burning HIS foes on every side.

HIS lightning lights up the world;

the earth watches and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax

before YAHWEH, the LORD of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim HIS justice,

all peoples see HIS glory.

Shame on worshipers of idols,

on those proud of their worthless images.

Let all spirits bow before HIM."

- Psalm 97:1-7

(The glory, the magnificence, the splendor of GOD--this could strike us with terror so that we might cry out like St. Peter, 'Depart from us!'  But that glory is our light; we are even called to share that glory.  So for us, the majesty of GOD is not an object of terror, but a subject of exultation.

We often find it hard to share the enthusiasm and joy of the psalmist, who clearly sees the world divided between the good and wicked.  We rather see the world covered by a fog, where each of us has our own excuses and share of wickedness.  The confusion is temporary.  However, there is good seed and there are weeds, and each one goes toward what he prefers.  GOD hates evil, as much as HE loves HIMSELF, and what cannot return to GOD, should be destroyed.)

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Those Who Make A Show

"Be careful not to make a show of your good deeds before people.  If you do so, you do not gain anything from your FATHER in heaven.  When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be noticed in the synagogues and in the streets, in order to be praised by people.  I assure you, they have their reward.

If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret.  Your FATHER, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

When you pray, do not be like those who want to be noticed.  They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners, in order to be seen by everyone.  I assure you, they have their reward.  When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your FATHER who is with you in secret; and your FATHER who sees what is kept secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:1-6 

(Matthew gives us three examples of another secret without which we shall not see GOD: work for HIM alone without wanting anyone to know, and in such a way that we ourselves will have immediately forgotten what we have done.

Those who make a show.  The expression appears three times with reference to good deeds, praying and fasting.  JESUS uses a word often translated as "being hypocrites," which refers in a general way to those who make a show, or who are shallow, and make fun of the things of GOD.

It is perhaps difficult not to want to be seen by others, but is far more difficult to do good without looking at oneself and being satisfied because: "I am good."  It is, nevertheless, the way of enabling us to enter into the secrets of GOD.)

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Love Your Enemies; And Pray For Those Who Persecute You

"You have heard, that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy.  But this I tell you: love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your FATHER in Heaven.  For HE makes HIS sun rise on both the wicked and the good; and HE gives rain to both the just and the unjust.

If you love those who love you, what is special about that?  Do not even tax collectors do as much?  And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that?  Do not even the pagans do as much?  As for you, be perfect, as your heavenly FATHER is perfect." - Matthew 5:43-48 

(Love your neighbor.  Here we come to the last of the opposites between the Old Law and the New.  The Old Testament spoke of loving a neighbor and this was a matter of solidarity among the members of the people of GOD.  With the Gospel the word "love" is not only given a wider dimension: it introduces us into a world totally different.  Solidarity within the group is supported by an instinct inscribed in nature.  This love however does not cross the frontiers that separate social groups: these only exist and find their identity in opposing others.

Do not do good to your enemy.  The text is not found in the Scriptures as it stands but its equivalent is in several places [Deuteronomy 7:2].  Referring to enemies of the nation rather than to personal enemies, we are asked to be wary of them, not to help them and even to exterminate them, rather than share their errors.  If in many countries today it is understood that there is no frontier for love, it must be recognized that this ideal is a fruit of the Gospel: JESUS has enlightened our minds by asking us to model the love of our neighbor on the universal love of GOD the FATHER.  We have only to open a newspaper to see that this love of neighbor, whatever it be, and even if it comes from a social, national or religious group, in enmity with ours, remains incomprehensible to the majority, even in Christian countries.  When we realize that there is a place for everyone in the present world and that GOD directs everything for the benefit of all, we see things as GOD does and are perfect as the FATHER is perfect.

Love your enemies: Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; Romans 12:20; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; Romans 12:14; Ephesians 5:1.)

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Do Not Oppose Evil With Evil

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

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

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

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

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

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CHRIST And The Church

"Thus says YAHWEH: 'At the top of the cedar, I will take one of its uppermost branches, a tender twig, and plant it.  On a lofty, massive mountain, on a high mountain of Israel I will plant it.  It will produce branches and bear fruit and become a magnificent cedar.  Birds of all kinds will nest in it and find shelter in its branches.  And all the trees of the field shall know that I AM YAHWEH; I, who bring down the lofty tree and make the lowly tree tall.  I will make the tree that is full of sap, wither, and the dry tree, bloom.  I, YAHWEH, have spoken and this will I do.'" - Ezekiel 17:22-24 

(The conclusion is that the line of kings descending from David are coming to an end.  Another descendant of David will be chosen by GOD HIMSELF to be the Messiah.  The verses refer to CHRIST and to the Church.) 

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"Go Back If You Want, It Was Nothing Of Importance."

"Elijah left.  He found Elisha, son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth.  Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak over him.  Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah and said, 'Let me say goodbye to my father and mother; then I will follow you.'  Elijah said to him, 'Return if you want, don't worry about what I did.'  However, Elisha turned back, took the yoke of oxen and slew them.  He roasted their meat on the pieces of the yoke and gave it to his people who ate of it.  After this, he followed Elijah and began ministering to him." - 1 Kings 19:19-21 

Elisha, The Prophet Of Life

(Elijah passed by Elisha and cast his cloak over him.  He calls him in the same way as JESUS will call his apostles: "Follow me."  Perhaps Elijah interprets the answer, "Let me embrace my parents," as a hesitation on Elisha's part to leave everything and, for this reason, he answers him: "Go back if you want, it was nothing of importance."  But Elisha merely wanted to say goodbye to his relatives in a decent manner [see Luke 9:61.  From now on. Elisha will be Elijah's disciple and his successor in Israel.)

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If Your Right Eye Causes You To Sin, Pluck It Out And Throw It Away!

"You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery.  But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent, has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away!  It is much better for you to lose a part of your body, than to have your whole body thrown into hell.  If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away!  It is better for you to lose a part of your body, than to have your whole body thrown into hell." - Matthew 5:27-30 

(Do not commit adultery.  For many, conjugal fidelity is a burdensome and old-fashioned law, which they merely admire in others.  JESUS replaces fidelity among the laws of the interior world, where GOD, the Faithful One is to reign.

If your right eye... Here we must underline the opposition between: your hand, your eye, and: you.  In another place JESUS will say that we must be able to give up everything, but here HE dares to add: even your physical integrity.

All of us are looking for happiness, promotion and security, but what are those criteria worth?  All strive to live fully their life and enjoy without limits their own health and body, but here JESUS tells us that true life is elsewhere and that true self creates itself while accepting mutilations of the present life.

Is it only a matter of sacrificing what could drag us to "major fault and sin"?  The word of JESUS goes far beyond.  As much as we complain about the misery and meaninglessness of our life, we conserve it at any cost with the hope of still enjoying this world.  What if real sin were to avoid any risk and self-sacrifice when GOD is calling?

JESUS speaks of a hell of fire, because there is nothing worse than this final result: a lost life that has not been fruitful, and the abortion of our eternal self.)

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Song Of Springtime: A Psalm Of Worship

"YOU water the land and care for it,

enriching it with natural resources,

GOD's stream is filled with water;

so YOU prepare the earth

to give us its fruits.

YOU drench the furrows in the land

and level the ridges;

YOU soften the soil with showers

and bless its crops.

YOU crown the year with YOUR goodness;

abundance flows everywhere.

The deserts have become pasture land,

the hills are clothed with gladness;

the meadows, covered with flocks,

the valleys, decked with grain--

they shout and sing for joy."

- Psalm 65:10-13

(This material abundance makes us think of another kind and for which GOD assured HIS friends.  The Church also knows about spring rains, the summer harvest and songs of happiness.  That should not make us forget that GOD is at work through seasons and rainfall.  If the majority of Christians and Church communities no longer dare to ask GOD for the weather needed for harvest, that is not a proof that our faith is now more spiritual but that we unfortunately feel at ease with a helpless GOD.)

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More Perfect Law

"Do not think that I have come to annul the law and the prophets.  I have not come to annul them, but to fulfill hem.  I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or dot in the law will change, until all is fulfilled.

So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be the least in the kingdom of heaven.  On the other hand, whoever obeys them, and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:17-19 

(Here begins the presentation of the new Law.  It is far from what is often sought in a religion: practices to observe, fasts, prayers, good works with which one wins salvation.  JESUS says little about this because Scripture has dealt at length with this subject, and the study of Scripture itself shows that these laws and practices are always linked to a certain culture, and have to be adapted to the times.

Not the smallest letter or dot in the law will change until all is fulfilled.  JESUS does not refer to the commandments.  Rather HE affirms that the religion founded on the Old Testament's Scripture was a temporary, yet necessary step in the history of salvation.  The prophecies had to be fulfilled; the rites and sacrifices of that religion expressed in a veiled manner the mystery of sin and mercy that would be fulfilled in the person and the work of JESUS.  With HIM comes the perfect and definitive fellowship of GOD with humankind.

For us as well, observing the laws of the Scriptures is not an end in itself.  They are an expression of real love and are its guidelines.  In obeying them we become receptive to the Spirit who will lead us.  In this way we discover a "righteousness" or perfection far superior to the canonists of the time: the Lawyers and the Pharisees.)

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Salt And Light

"You are the salt of the earth.  But if salt has lost its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It has become useless.  It can only be thrown away and people will trample on it.

You are the light of the world.  A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and covers it; instead, it is put on a lamp stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do, and praise your FATHER in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16 

(JESUS has just designated those who are called to the kingdom.  First of all HE will clarify their mission: to be the light of the world and not merely a light in the world.  This does not mean that all people are to enter the Church, but that the Church has to be salt and light to the world.  Scripture mentions salt as the element that preserves food.  The covenant of salt was the Covenant of GOD with those who were to serve HIM forever [Numbers 18:19].  So the disciples of JESUS are called salt of the earth because through them the world benefits from the lasting Covenant with GOD.  They must continually enkindle in the world the desire and struggle for true justice and perfection, and not allow human societies to become satisfied with mediocrity.

You are the light: JESUS does not mean "You are the best in the world," but "GOD has chosen you to be a minority and through you HE will make HIMSELF known."  You will experience [both you and the Church] much that you would perhaps prefer to avoid, but which will be for the world, a sign from GOD.)

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Orchestra Of Praise To GOD, King Of The World

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

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

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

All you, lands, make a joyful noise to YAHWEH, break into song and sing praise, with melody of the lyre and with music of the harp.

With trumpet blast and sound of the horn, rejoice before the King, YAHWEH!"

- Psalm 98:1-6

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

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

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My Eyes Have Seen YOUR Salvation

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

O YAHWEH, hear my voice!

Let YOUR ears pay attention

to the voice of my supplication.

If YOU should mark our evil,

O YAHWEH, who could stand?

But with YOU, is forgiveness,

and for that, YOU are revered.

I waited for YAHWEH, my soul waits;

and I put my hope in HIS word. 

My soul expects YAHWEH

more than watchmen, the dawn.

O Israel, hope in YAHWEH,

for with HIM, is unfailing love

and with HIM full deliverance.

HE will deliver Israel

from all its sins."

- Psalm 130:1-8

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

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YAHWEH Is The GOD Who Saves The Abandoned

"The bow of the mighty is broken,

but the weak are girded with strength.

The well-fed must labor for bread,

but the hungry need work no more.

The childless wife has borne seven children,

but the proud mother is left alone.

YAHWEH is LORD of life and death.

HE brings down to the grave and raises up.

YAHWEH makes poor and makes rich.

HE brings low and HE exalts.

HE lifts up the lowly from the dust,

and raises the poor from the ash heap;

they will be called to the company of princes,

and inherit a seat of honor.

The earth to its pillars belongs to YAHWEH

and on them HE has set the world."

- 1 Samuel 2:4-8

The Rich Man And Lazarus

(YAHWEH is the GOD who saves the abandoned.  HE rejects those who put their trust in their arm and in their bow, in the food assured for their household, i.e., in themselves and their possessions.  HE manifests HIS glory in shifting the differences existing between people [as in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16:25].  YAHWEH brings down to the grave and raises up.  The Song of Hannah has a prophetic vision.  Like Hannah, we ought to be proud of our GOD, even more than in the material progress of our society which blesses the rich and the powerful.

The text condemns those who seek to advance in society and promote their own welfare with the sole purpose of ensuring their family's future.  One who sides with the weak will be saved.  Whereas others feel ashamed of their poor background, as laborers or farmers or of the undeveloped condition of their country, the believer knows that the poor and the hungry contribute to the salvation of the world.  Where everything is wanting, it is easier to discover the value of human persons, and to understand that no world is worthy of humankind except one where food and dignity are given to all.)

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The Fountains Of Salvation

"HE is the GOD of my salvation;

in HIM I trust and am not afraid,

YAHWEH is my strength: HIM I will praise,

the one who saved me.

You will draw water with joy

from the very fountain of salvation.

Then you will say: 'Praise to YAHWEH,

break into songs of joy for HIM,

proclaim HIS marvelous deeds among the nations

and exalt HIS Name.

Sing to YAHWEH: wonders HE has done

let these be known all over the earth.

Sing for joy, O people of Zion,

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.'"

- Isaiah 12:2-6

(Here we have a song of thanksgiving.  About the fountains of salvation, see Isaiah 55:1 and the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4:1.)

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The LORD Knows Those Who Are HIS

"They strayed from the truth, holding that the resurrection has already taken place; and with this, they upset the faith of some.  But the solid foundations laid by GOD are not shaken; on them, it is written: The LORD knows those who are HIS, and: Let him who confesses the name of the LORD turn away from evil." - 2 Timothy 2:18-19 

(Faith in the resurrection was accepted with as much difficulty in those times as it is today, and many wanted to keep the word without being embarrassed by a GOD who shatters our way of thinking.  Perhaps those named here held that a spiritual resurrection took place at baptism and there was nothing more to hope for after death.  

In time the converted are tested: some make progress and others are lost.  The apostle should not be discouraged: no fail, no scandal can shake the solid foundations laid by GOD: the Church will never be defeated.)

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Fan Into A Flame The Gift Of GOD You Received

"From Paul. apostle of CHRIST JESUS, by the will of GOD, for the sake of HIS promise of eternal life, in CHRIST JESUS, to my dear son Timothy.

May grace, mercy and peace be with you, from GOD, the FATHER, and CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

I give thanks to GOD, whom I serve with a clear conscience, the way my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly, day and night, in my prayers.  I recall your tears, and I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.  I am reminded of your sincere faith, so like the faith of your grandmother Lois and of your mother Eunice, which I am sure you have inherited.

For this reason, I invite you to fan into a flame, the gift of GOD you received, through the laying on of my hands.  For GOD did not confer on us a spirit of fearfulness, but of strength, love and good judgment.  Do not be ashamed of testifying to our LORD, nor of seeing me in chains.  On the contrary, do your share in laboring for the gospel, with the strength of GOD.  HE saved us and called us--a calling which proceeds from HIS holiness.  This did not depend on our merits, but on HIS generosity and HIS own initiative.  This calling, given to us from all time, in CHRIST JESUS has just been manifested with the glorious appearance of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, who destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light, in HIS gospel.  Of this message, I was made herald, apostle and teacher.

For its sake, I now suffer this trial, but I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have believed, and I am convinced, that HE is capable of taking care of all I have entrusted to HIM, until that day. -  2 Timothy 1:1-12 

(Fan into a flame the gift of GOD you received.  See 1 Timothy 4:14.  Paul tries to give his own energy to Timothy and he reminds him of GOD's love and promises.

HE is capable of taking care of all I have entrusted to HIM.  These words invite us to remember the exact meaning of the word "faith."  In Hebrew, for the Old Testament, the word "faith" had the same root as "to be firm," or "to lean on something."  In Greek, the word that has become "faith" signifies both the trust that could be had in a debtor, and the guarantee given to the creditor.  So Paul considers all his apostolic life as the deposit he has placed in GOD's hands.  Like Paul a person of faith is not deceived by the mirages of a happy life but prefers to use his life in an often thankless labor and persevere as if he already saw what couldn't yet be seen [Hebrews 11:27].)

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We Share In The Divine Nature

"May grace and peace abound in you, through the knowledge of GOD and of JESUS, our LORD.

HIS divine power has given us everything we need for life and piety.  First, the knowledge of the One who called us through HIS own glory and Might, by which we were given the most extraordinary and precious promises.  Through THEM,  you share in the divine nature, after repelling the corruption and evil desires of this world.

So, strive with the greatest determination, and increase your faith, with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with moderation, moderation with constancy, constancy with piety, piety with mutual affection, mutual affection with charity." - 2 Peter 1:2-7

(Christians tempted to become complacent are told two things:

- GOD's call is such a great favor that we cannot really understand it;

- it is not enough to have been called to believe: we must confirm this election by a truly holy life that prepares us to enter heaven.

You share in the divine nature.  This paragraph, with the texts of St John, is the strongest expression of what we are and what we shall be.  We have not merely been called to a good way of life that will be rewarded, to love a GOD who will be grateful to us.  JESUS has come to reveal who we are: HIS brothers and sisters, members of a unique humanity that is to become part of the eternal mystery of GOD.  HE was made human so that we become all that GOD is, nothing less.)

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Why Is The Second Coming Of CHRIST Delayed?

"As you wait for the day of GOD, and long for its coming, when the heavens will dissolve in fire, and the elements melt away in the heat.  We wait for a new heaven and a new earth, in which justice reigns, according to GOD's promise.

Therefore, beloved, as you wait in expectation of this, strive, that GOD may find you rooted in peace, without blemish or fault.

And consider, that GOD's patience is for our salvation, as our beloved brother, Paul, wrote to you, with the wisdom given him.  He speaks of these things in all his letters.  There are, however, some points in them that are difficult to understand, which people, who are ignorant, and immature in their faith, twist, as they do with the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

So then, dearly beloved, as you have been warned, be careful, lest those people who have gone astray, deceive you, in turn, and drag you along, making you stumble, and finally fall away.  Grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST: to HIM be glory, now, and to the day of eternity.  Amen." - 2 Peter 3:12-18 

(In our days the majority of Christians give little thought to the return of CHRIST: because we see it as a long way off, or because we do not understand its meaning?  In reality it is always urgent to give ourselves totally.

The paragraph referring to Paul shows that already at that time Paul's letters had the same authority in the Church as the old sacred books or the Gospel, the "rest of Scripture,"  The Church was also concerned about the wrong interpretations that people might get from passages in which Paul did not express himself clearly.)

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Here Is The Blood Of The Covenant

"Moses came and told the people all the words of YAHWEH and all HIS laws.  The people replied with one voice: 'Everything that YAHWEH has said, we shall do.'

Moses wrote down all the words of YAHWEH, then rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve raised stones for the twelve tribes of Israel.

He then sent young men from among the sons of Israel to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice bullocks as peace offerings to YAHWEH.

And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins; and with the other half of the blood he sprinkled the altar.

He then took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people.  They said, 'All that YAHWEH said we shall do and obey.'

Moses then took the blood and sprinkled it on the people saying, 'Here is the blood of the Covenant that YAHWEH has made with you in accordance with all these words.'" - Exodus 24:3-8 

(The most important events of the Scriptures are at times the most briefly related.  At the foot of Mount Sinai the Covenant which would govern the life of Israel was signed.

Two scenes depict the celebration of the Covenant.  First, Moses and the elders of Israel witness the Glory of YAHWEH over Mount Sinai.  Later, upon Moses' return, the people seal the Covenant by means of a solemn sacrifice.

Here is the blood of the Covenant... According to the custom of the time, both parties to the contract were sprinkled with the blood of the victims.  Since the altar represented YAHWEH, it received this sprinkled blood on HIS behalf.  These details should be remembered when we read what JESUS declares at the Last Supper, "This is the blood of the Covenant which will be shed for the multitude" [Mark 14:24].)

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By What Authority Do YOU Act?

"They were once again in Jerusalem.  As JESUS was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to HIM and asked, 'What authority do YOU have to act like this?  Who gave YOU authority to do the things YOU do?

JESUS said to them, 'I will ask you a question, only one, and if you give ME an answer, then I will tell you what authority I have to act like this.  Was John's preaching in baptism a work of GOD, or was it merely something human?  Answer ME.'

And they kept arguing among themselves.  If we answer that it was a work of GOD, HE will say, 'Why then did you not believe HIM?'  But neither could they answer before the people that the baptism of John was merely something human, for everyone regarded John as a prophet.  So they answered JESUS, 'We don't know,' and JESUS said to them, 'Neither will I tell you what authority I have to act as I do.'" - Mark 11:27-33 

(JESUS did not ask any authorization to teach in the temple, or to drive out the vendors.  HE acted freely as prophets do.  Since the priests were the ones in charge of maintaining the true faith, it was normal for them to check whether JESUS was a real prophet or not.  But were they really concerned about truth?  Were they ready to recognize that JESUS had come from GOD?  Apparently they only thought to defend what was acceptable to them and, before even listening to JESUS, held HIM to be subversive.

That is why JESUS asked them about John the Baptist.   Because John the Baptist's preaching had been the most important happening in the previous two years, the priests should have taken a stand with regard to John.  They had not done so nor were they ready for that.  How could they make demands of JESUS if they spoke out only when it suited them?

JESUS' attitude obliges religious leaders of all times to see if they deserve to have others respect their declarations and condemnations.)

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Keep Your Minds Calm And Sober For Prayer

"The end of all things is near; keep your minds calm and sober, for prayer.  Above all, let your love for one another be sincere, for love covers a multitude of sins.  Welcome one another into your houses without complaining.  Serve one another with the gifts each of you received, thus becoming good managers of the varied graces of GOD.  If you speak, deliver the word of GOD; if you have a special ministry, let it be seen as GOD's power, so that, in everything, GOD may be glorified, in JESUS CHRIST.  To HIM, belong glory and power forever and ever.  Amen.

My dear people, do not be surprised at the testing, by fire, which is taking place among you, as though something strange were happening to you.  Instead, you should be glad to share in the sufferings of CHRIST, because, on the day HIS glory is revealed, you will also fully rejoice." - 1 Peter 4:7-13 

(Keep your minds calm and sober for prayer.  Prayer requires a disciplined life.  Go to bed when it is time and give up entertainments that only devour time and make us halfwits.)

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GOD In The Midst Of The Meek

"Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, O people of Israel!  Sing joyfully with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!

 YAHWEH has lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away.  YAHWEH, the King of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune.

On that day, they will say to Jerusalem: Do not be afraid nor let your hands tremble, for YAHWEH your GOD is within you, YAHWEH, saving warrior.  HE will jump for joy on seeing you, for HE has revived HIS love.  For you HE will cry out with joy, as you do in the days of the feast.

I will drive away the evil I warned you about, and you will no longer be shamed." - Zephaniah 3:14-18 

(YAHWEH will be in Jerusalem to share HIS happiness with them.  The holy GOD suddenly shows that HE is like a young man in love who is not concerned about social considerations.

Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; YAHWEH, the King of Israel, is with you: do not fear any misfortune.  In the Gospel of Luke, the same words are addressed to Mary at the Annunciation: "Rejoice, the LORD is with you.  Do not fear, Mary, you will bear the Savior [Luke 1:28].)

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The Grass Withers And The Flower Falls, But The Word Of The LORD Endures Forever

"Remember, that you were freed from the useless way of life of your ancestors, not with gold and silver, but with the precious blood of the Lamb without spot or blemish.  GOD, who has known CHRIST before the world began, revealed HIM to you in the last days.  Through HIM, you have faith in GOD, who raised HIM from the dead, and glorified HIM, in order that you might put all your faith and hope in GOD.

In obeying the truth, you have gained interior purification, from which comes sincere mutual love.  Love one another, then, with all your heart, since you are born again, not from mortal beings, but with enduring life, through the word of GOD, who lives and remains forever.  It is written: All flesh is grass and its glory like the flowers of the field.  The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the LORD endures forever.  This word, is the gospel, which has been brought to you." - 1 Peter 1:18-25 

(Here we recognize this being born anew, being born from above, which JESUS tells Nicodemus in John 3:9.

What follows is a call to live perfectly: not attached to the things of the present, but eager to live a useful and holy life before GOD, in proportion to what we have cost HIM.)

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The Reward For Those Who Follow JESUS

"Peter spoke up and said, 'We have given up everything to follow YOU.  JESUS answered, 'Truly, there is no one who has left house, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children, or lands, for MY sake, and for the gospel, who will not receive his reward.  I say to you: even in the midst of persecution, he will receive a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands in the present time; and, in the world to come, eternal life.  Do pay attention: many who now are the first will be last, and the last, first.'" - Mark 10:28-31 

(There is no one who has left house... These words of JESUS that we find again in Mathew 19:29 and Luke 18:29 have been given here a notable addition: with persecution.  Once the Gospel had been preached the Church began to suffer persecution: From the year 34, then again in 41 and 62 in Jerusalem, in 64 in Rome with the great persecution ordered by the emperor Nero.  During these persecutions Christians experienced the bonds that united them, often stronger than family relationships.  Hunted, obliged to hide, they found hundreds of brothers and sisters ready with houses to give them refuge.  JESUS does not only speak of reward in the next life.  Already in this world, in the midst of persecution, those who sacrifice themselves for the kingdom will find friendship, joy an human fulfillment far greater than anything they could have hoped for.)

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The Inheritance That Does Not Corrupt Nor Goes Bad Nor Passes Away

"Let us praise GOD, the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for HIS great mercy.  In raising JESUS CHRIST, from the dead, HE has given us new life, and a living hope.  The inheritance that does not corrupt, nor goes bad, nor passes away, was reserved for you, in heaven, since GOD's power shall keep you faithful, until salvation is revealed, in the last days.

There is cause for joy, then, even though you may, for a time, have to suffer many trials.  Thus will your faith be tested, like gold in a furnace.  Gold, however, passes away, but faith, worth so much more, will bring you, in the end, praise, glory and honor, when JESUS CHRIST appears.

You have not, yet, seen HIM, and, yet, you love HIM, and experience a heavenly joy beyond all words, for you are reaching the goal of your faith: the salvation of your souls." - 1 Peter 1:3-9

(This passage could be the preaching of a leader of a Christian community, addressed to adults who have just been baptized.  In those days people were more preoccupied than they are now about their salvation after death.  To those being baptized, the apostles spoke of the inheritance of GOD which was reserved for them and had been won by CHRIST in HIS resurrection: The inheritance that does not corrupt nor goes bad nor passes away.

The newly baptized knew that their Christian faith was threatened and persecuted.  To ask for baptism meant to commit oneself to CHRIST until death.

You have not seen HIM... Faith, hope, and love for CHRIST: the three virtues [or powers] urging Christians, go together.  CHRIST came to glory through suffering.  The Christian follows the same path and already knows true joy in the midst of trials.)

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Those Led By The Spirit Tend Towards What Comes From The Spirit

"All those who walk in the Spirit of GOD are sons and daughters of GOD.  Then, no more fear: you did not receive a spirit of slavery, but the spirit that makes you sons and daughters, and every time, we cry, 'Abba! (this is Dad!) FATHER!' the Spirit assures our spirit, that we are sons and daughters of GOD.  If we are children, we are heirs, too.  Ours will be the inheritance of GOD, and we will share it with CHRIST; for, if we now suffer with HIM, we will also share glory with HIM." - Romans 8:14-17 

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

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

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

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

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Let My Prayer Rise To YOU Like Incense

"LORD, I call on YOU, hasten to help me!  Listen to my plea when I call to YOU.

Let my prayer rise to YOU, like incense; as I lift up my hands, as in an evening sacrifice.

O YAHWEH, set a guard at my mouth; keep watch at the gate of my lips.

Let not my heart be drawn to evil; let me not be enticed into evil acts in company with sinners, and let me not partake of their delights.

Rather, the reproach and the just scourge, than the oil of the wicked anointing my head.

When their rulers are flung upon the rock, only then, will these wicked learn that I was tolerant with them;

when the earth opens to swallow them, and their bones are scattered at the edge of the netherworld.

But my eyes are turned to YOU, O GOD, my YAHWEH; strip me not of life, for YOU are my refuge."

- Psalm 141:1-8

(As each day ends, what have we to bring to GOD?  Only our weariness with the struggle; our dismay that it must continue; and our prayer that we may persevere!

'Let my prayer rise to YOU like an incense...' are the words of the psalmist.  If we too pray sincerely, our prayers will rise to heaven.  In fact, in Matthew 6:6 JESUS tells us, 'When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to YOUR FATHER who is with you in secret; and YOUR FATHER who sees what is kept in secret will reward you.'  And in John 15:16 JESUS says, 'And everything you ask the FATHER in MY name, HE will give you.'

We can pray with this psalm, when we see the evil surrounding us and we wouldn't want to sin or hurt anyone with our words.  With this psalm, we ask GOD to deliver us from evil.)

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Look Forward To The LORD's Coming

"Beloved, do not fight among yourselves and you will not be judged.  See, the judge is already at the door.  Take for yourselves, as an example of patience, the suffering of the prophets, who spoke in the LORD's name.  See how those who were patient are called blessed.  You have heard of the patience of Job and know how the LORD dealt with him in the end.  For the LORD is merciful and shows compassion.

Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth, or make a habit of swearing.  Let your yes be yes and your no be no, lest you become liable for judgment." - James 5:9-12 

(Let us consider that swearing is a sin of all others peculiarly clamorous, and provocative of Divine judgment. - Isaac Barrow) 

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"The Last Days Already Came And You Were Looking For Riches!"

"So, now, for what concerns the rich, cry and weep, for the misfortunes that are coming upon you.  Your riches are rotting, and your clothes, eaten up by the moths.  Your silver and gold have rusted, and their rust grows into a witness against you.  It will consume your flesh, like fire, for having piled up riches, in these, the last days.

You deceived the workers who harvested your fields, but, now, their wages cry out to the heavens.  The reapers' complaints have reached the ears of the LORD of hosts.  You lived in luxury and pleasure in this world, thus, fattening yourselves for the day of slaughter.  You have easily condemned, and killed the innocent since they offered no resistance." - James 5:1-6 

(The rich will lose all they have stockpiled through injustice.  Just as serious as having stolen from the salaries of workers and having condemned those who spoke of justice is the sin against hope.  "The last days already came and you were looking for riches!"  The last days are those that began with the coming of CHRIST, with the kingdom already there.  James sees the second coming of the LORD as if it was imminent and it is the only way to rightly judge riches.

What was taking place in the poor civilization of James' time is happening again today.  The prosperity of a quarter of the world depends on the system that leaves two billion people in misery.

In our countries money destroys hope in the Christian meaning of the word; life is considered as a fortune to be enjoyed by oneself, without accepting responsibilities, beginning with the transmission of life.  Far removed from us, the safeguarding of our privileges involves, like a series of cascades, the unjust death of millions of people because of famine, oppression and wars.) 

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Anyone Who Knows What Is Good, And Does Not Do It, Sins

"Listen now, you who speak like this, 'Today or tomorrow we will go off to this city and spend a year there; we will do business and make money.'  You have no idea what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life?  No more than a mist, which appears for a moment and then disappears.  Instead of this, you should say, 'GOD willing, we will live and do this or that.'  But no!  You boast of your plans: this brazen pride is wicked.  Anyone who knows what is good, and does not do it, sins." - James 4:13-17 

(We all make many plans: to earn more, to buy things, to have a good time.  What is serious about this is that we forget meanwhile to do good.  We know it has to be done and we know how to do it, but what we do not know is if we will have time to accomplish it.  We may die without having done what mattered most.)

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What Causes These Fights And Quarrels Among You?

"What causes these fights and quarrels among you?  Is it not your cravings, that make war within your own selves?  When you long for something you cannot have, you kill for it, and when you do not get what you desire, you squabble and fight.  The fact is, you do not have what you want, because you do not pray for it.  You pray for something, and you do not get it, because you pray with the wrong motive, of indulging your pleasures.  You adulterers!  Don't you know, that making friends with the world makes you enemies of GOD?  Therefore, whoever chooses to be the world's friend become GOD's enemy.

Can you not see the point of the saying in Scripture: 'The longing of the spirit, HE sent to dwell in us, is a jealous longing?'  But GOD has something better to give, and Scripture also says, GOD opposes the proud but HE gives favor to the humble.  Give in, then, to GOD; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw close to GOD and HE will come close to you.  Clean your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you doubters.  Recognize your distress, be miserable and weep.  Turn your laughter into tears and your joy into sadness.  Humble yourselves before the LORD and HE will raise you up." - James 4:1-10 

(You pray with the wrong motive.  James tells us that prayer obtains for us things that enable us to respond to GOD's plan.  Our prayers will not be heard if love for the world takes the place of GOD in our hearts.

What is the friendship with the world that prevents our being heard?  We explain this in more detail in John 3:17 and 1 John 2:15.  GOD asks us to love all the things HE created, viewing them as means of reaching HIM, and to reject what does not serve this purpose.  Loving the world is wishing for and clinging to things, without looking beyond them for GOD HIMSELF and the brothers and sisters that HE gave us.  It is adultery in the same sense as the phrase from the Gospel: "No one can serve two masters" [Matthew 6:24].  We cannot divide our love between GOD and the world; neither can we ask GOD to help us satisfy egotistical ambitions.)

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True Wisdom

"If you consider yourself wise and learned, show it by your good life, and let your actions, in all humility, be an example for others.  But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy, and ambition, do not try to show off; that would be covering up the truth; this kind of wisdom does not come from above, but from the world, and it is earthly and devilish.  Wherever there is jealousy and ambition, you will also find discord, and all that is evil.  Instead, the wisdom that comes from above is pure and peace-loving.  Persons with this wisdom show understanding, and listen to advice; they are full of compassion and good works; they are impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers, who sow peace, reap a harvest of justice." - James 3:13-18 

(What is wisdom?  Let us read the Wisdom Books of the Scriptures if we wish to know something of wisdom.  They put us on the trail of a wisdom that is a gift of GOD [1 Corinthians 1:5; Ephesians 1:9], which is acquired by prayer [Wisdom 9; Sirach 51:13; Colossians 1:9], perseverance in meditation on the word of GOD [2 Timothy 3:17], the purification of the heart through ordinary living.  James does not speak of a theoretical wisdom, but of practical wisdom.)

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One Who Does Not Know How To Forgive Does Not Know How To Love

"On the evening of that day, the first day after the Sabbath, the doors were locked where the disciples were, because of their fear of the Jews.  But JESUS came, and stood among them, and said to them, 'Peace be with you!'  Then HE showed them HIS hands and HIS side.  The disciples, seeing the LORD, were full of joy.

Again JESUS said to them, 'Peace be with you!  As the FATHER has sent ME, so I send you.'  After saying this, HE breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit!  Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'" - John 20:19-23 

(Just as in the first creation GOD infused life into Adam, so, too, JESUS' breath communicates life to the new spiritual creation.  CHRIST, who died to take away the sin of the world, now leaves to HIS own the power to forgive.

Thus the hope of the Biblical people has been realized.  GOD led them in such a way that they felt the universal presence of sin, and so they offered animals in the temple uninterruptedly to appease GOD.  That river of blood failed to destroy sin, and the priests themselves offered sacrifices for their own sins before praying to GOD for the others.  Ceremonies and rites had no power to purify the heart or to give the Holy Spirit.

Now, in the person of JESUS risen from the dead, a new world has begun.  Although humanity may continue to sin, already the first of its sons and daughters, the "eldest brother of them all" is sharing fully the holy life of GOD.

Those who strive for the spiritual life, suffer above all from a keen awareness of the universal presence of sin.  They grieve deeply at not yet having attained total liberation from sin.  Hence they recognize the forgiveness of sin as the greatest gift given to the Church.  

The capacity to forgive is the only power able to release the great tensions within humankind.  Although it does not easily conquer hearts, it is an invaluable secret and the Church should consider it as its own particular treasure.

One who does not know how to forgive does not know how to love.  On making us aware of sin and purifying us from it, the Church helps us demonstrate a more authentic love for the neighbor.)

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The Security Of GOD's Friends

"YAHWEH is in HIS holy place--

our GOD whose throne is in heaven.

HE looks down to earth

to observe the race of Adam.

YAHWEH searches both righteous and wicked.

HE hates those who delight in violence.

Upon the wicked, HE will rain

coals of fire and brimstone;

a burning blast will be their lot.

For YAHWEH is righteous;

HE loves justice.

The upright will see HIS face."

- Psalm 11:4-7

(This is another picturesque variation of the theme of trust in GOD.  The psalmist is confident that the righteous will meet GOD face to face and chooses not to let the wicked trouble him instead.  The hunters are out again, but the psalmist is already away to the refuge he knows so well, every cranny of it, the mountains, which is GOD.  What else can he do, when all the rest that seemed dependable, has collapsed?  Perhaps the attitude is as grudging as Peter's 'To whom shall we go?'  Doubtless, our own motives are never unmixed: something creative has disappointed us and we turn to the Creator.  Strangely enough, HE seems to be satisfied with this: HE runs to us, undignified like the Prodigal's father.  Shall we ever understand how humble GOD's love is?  Even the form of a servant was not enough, unless it hung on a cross!)

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