Praise Of GOD, Creator And Law Giver

"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.

Romans 10:18 applies verse 4 of the psalm to the preaching of the Gospel.  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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Praise To GOD, Creator And Shepherd

"Serve YAHWEH with gladness; come before HIM with joyful songs.

Know that YAHWEH  is GOD; HE created us, and we are HIS people, the sheep of HIS fold.

Enter HIS gates with thanksgiving, HIS courts with praise.  Give thanks to HIM and praise HIS name.

For YAHWEH is good; HIS love lasts forever; and HIS faithfulness, through all generations."

- Psalm 100:2-5

(The psalm bids us rejoice in GOD, because we are utterly HIS.  From the psalmist, the glad reflection provokes an outburst of gratitude.  From those who know the Cross it should bring about a cry of wonder that GOD should have brought, what was already HIS own--that we should belong to HIM doubly.  'You are bought with a great price,' writes St. Paul; 'not with gold or silver,' Peter says, 'but with the precious blood of CHRIST' [1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18].  This psalm was born again on Calvary.  We must remember that as we sing it!)

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YOUR Kingdom Come

"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!

Let the sea resound and everything in it, the world and all its people.

Let rivers clap their hands, hills and mountains sing with joy before YAHWEH, for HE comes to rule the earth.  HE will judge the world with justice, and the peoples, with fairness."

- Psalm 98:1-9

(Our LORD founded the kingdom of GOD on earth; and yet we pray: 'YOUR kingdom come.'  The work of our redemption has been accomplished, but we still pray for this salvation, to be perfected throughout the world: GOD has come; but we look for HIS final coming, to take possession of HIS kingdom.

Sing to the LORD a new song.  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 by HIS death and resurrection, the path to eternal salvation.)

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Signs Before The Destruction Of Jerusalem

"While some people were talking about the temple, remarking that it was adorned with fine stonework and rich gifts, JESUS said to them, 'The days will come when there shall not be left one stone upon another of all that you now admire; all will be torn down.'  And they asked HIM, 'Master, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?'

JESUS said, 'Take care not to be deceived, for many will come in MY name, saying, 'I AM he; the time is near at hand!'  Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and troubled times, don't be frightened; for all these things must happen first, even though the end is not so soon.'

And JESUS said, 'Nations will fight each other and kingdom will oppose kingdom.  There will be great earthquakes, famines and plagues; in many places strange and terrifying signs from heaven will be seen.'" - Luke 21:5-11 

(The prophets of the Scriptures spoke in a rather obscure way about the end of the history that would initiate GOD's universal kingdom.  According to them, all nations of the world would join forces to destroy the Holy City of Jerusalem, but right at the moment of greatest despair GOD would intervene in a triumphant way to establish HIS own kingdom [Isaiah 66:18; Ezekiel 38; Joel 4; Zechariah 14].

That is why, when JESUS speaks of the destruction of the temple, the apostles think of the end of time.  The answer of JESUS is clear; the tragedy that will end with the destruction of Jerusalem is near but that would not be the end of the world.

This discourse contains JESUS' warnings about the destruction of the Jewish nation that would occur 30 years later, but what HE said regarding these agents clarifies the meaning of the conflicts that occur at present in the whole world.

When you hear of wars.  This does not mean that GOD leaves the world in the hands of evil.  It is more a delivery than a failure, because humanity is maturing and the nations encounter more complex problems in their life and development.  The crisis suffered by the Jewish nation in the time of JESUS was similar to that experienced by other civilizations: something dies and something is born.

People, confused, are easily fooled by propaganda and ideologies.  Fear makes them blind and they persecute those who do not share their fanaticism.  That is why they hate the true believers.  At the same time, JESUS asks HIS followers to bear witness to HIM as the only Savior and to proclaim what the Gospel demands of the individual and of society.)

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The Widow's Mite

"JESUS looked up and saw  rich people putting their gifts into the treasury of the temple.  HE also saw a poor widow, who dropped in two small coins.  And HE said, 'Truly, I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them.  For all of them gave an offering from their plenty; but she, out of her poverty, gave all she had to live on.'" - Luke 21:1-4 

(The poor widow was the only one from among so many worshipers who made retribution to GOD as HE deserves.  She was the personification of those uncountable poor, who have practically nothing but somehow find a way to give part of the little they have.  The humble person is capable of sacrificing part of his paid time to study or participate in common activities in order to help his companions.  The small salary he loses is worth much more than the big salary that wealthy people are not willing to lose.  GOD calls on the poor before anybody else, because only the poor give all that they have to live on.)

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The Son Of Man

"I continued watching the nocturnal vision:

One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven.  HE faced the One of Great Age and was brought into HIS presence.

Dominion, honor and kingship were given HIM and all the peoples and nations of every language served HIM.  HIS dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; HIS kingdom will never be destroyed." - Daniel 7:13-14

(On the clouds of heaven: this cloud is the sign of the divine presence.

The One of Great Age: this refers to GOD, and the white hair is a sign of HIS majesty.  Let us not forget that, in fact, GOD is ageless and is in a unique moment, an ever present now.

A son of man, namely, a human: at first, this mysterious person referred to the whole people of GOD [v. 27].  If GOD wanted to give HIS kingdom to people, HE would, in fact, give it in a personal way to the one who is the model, the savior and the head of everyone and of all humankind.  JESUS is the Man [John 19:5], or, to follow the Jewish way of speaking, the son of man.

The son of man comes from the divine clouds, and so JESUS applied the prophecy to HIMSELF to point to HIS divine origin when HIS accusers were seeing HIM in the weakness of the human condition [Matthew 26:64].)

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"Bend YOUR Heavens, O YAHWEH, And Come Down."

"Blessed be YAHWEH, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle--my loving GOD, my fortress; my protector and deliverer, my shield; where I take refuge; who conquers nations and subjects them to my rule.

O YAHWEH, what are humans that YOU should be mindful of them, the race of Adam, that YOU should care for them?

They are like a breath; their days pass like a shadow on earth.

Bend YOUR heavens, O YAHWEH, and come down; touch the mountain and make it smoke.

Flash forth lightning and rout the foe; shoot YOUR arrows and scatter them.

From above, reach down and draw me out of the deep waters, from the hands of foreigners, whose mouths speak falsehood, whose words are full of deceit.

I will sing a new song to YOU, O GOD; I will make music on the ten-stringed harp, for YOU, who give victory to kings and deliver David, YOUR servant."

- Psalm 144:1-10

(Our LORD, the Son of Man, shared our weakness, shared our struggle; but in doing so, HE showed us that GOD's strength shows itself most clearly in our weaknesses, bringing us joy and salvation.

The new heavens and the new earth take us beyond the psalm [cf. Revelation 21:1-4; 2 Peter 3:13; Romans 8:19-23].  The people of GOD, who expect the new kingdom, are being formed in the womb of history.  It would be good for us not to forget exemplary lives; they will give us courage.  Above all, it would be good for us to place our eyes in the LORD, who is the initiator and fulfiller of our faith.

It seems like GOD answered the psalmist's prayer when he says, 'Bend YOUR heavens, O YAHWEH, and come down.'  For in John 1:1, 'In the beginning was the Word and in John 1:14, 'And the Word was made flesh.'  Then, in Luke 2:12 an angel of the LORD said, 'Today a Savior has been born to you in David's town; HE is the Messiah and the LORD.'  JESUS showed us the way.  HE taught us to pray.  HE has taught us to love.  HE has guided us through the narrow path.  In short, if only we have faith and believe, we will be with HIM one day, in heaven.)

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"Take The Small Book And Eat; Although It Be Sweet As Honey In The Mouth, It Will Be Bitter To Your Stomach."

"And the voice I had heard from heaven, spoke again, saying to me, 'Go near the angel who stands on the sea and on the land, and take the small book open in his hand.'  So, I approached the angel and asked him for the small book; he said to me, 'Take it and eat; although it be sweet as honey in your mouth, it will be bitter to your stomach.'

I took the small book from the hand of the angel, and ate it.  It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, it turned bitter in my stomach.  Then, I was told, 'You must, again, proclaim GOD's words, about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.'" - Revelation 10:8-11 

(As to the small book, it contains new events that will accompany the spread of the Gospel.  This means that CHRIST's coming does not put an end to history, nor does it bring heaven on earth.

John must eat the book, an expression that we already found in Ezekiel [2:8-3:4].  It is both sweet and sour: the voice is sweet, but the task is difficult.  Thus we understand that the history of Israel, imaged by the book of the seven seals [5:1], was not all of sacred history but only its first part, the Old Testament.)

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The Pain Of The Humble Is The Pain Of The LORD

"Alleluia!

Sing to YAHWEH a new song,

sing HIS praise in the assembly of HIS saints.

Let Israel rejoice in his Maker;

let the people of Zion glory in their King!

Let them dance in praise of HIS name;

and make music for HIM with harp and timbrel.

For YAHWEH delights in HIS people;

HE crowns the lowly with victory.

The saints will exult in triumph;

even at night, on their couches,

let the praise of GOD be on their lips;

and in their hands, two-edged swords;

to wreak vengeance on the nations,

and punishment on the peoples;

to bind their kings in chains,

and their nobles in iron fetters;

to execute on them, the written sentence:

this is the glory of all HIS saints.  Alleluia!"

- Psalm 149:1-9

(We join in the song of victory, the triumph of GOD, the crushing of the serpent's head; for we have our part in the victorious struggle, wearing the armor of GOD, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit.

The 'loyal ones' express their devotion in a rigorous way.  They oppose the unjust violent person, with a just violent person.  They execute the sentence dictated by GOD and that is their honor.  Their religious enthusiasm and their faith in GOD the creator is valid for us because the Gospel asks of us not to respond to violence with the violence of the sword [Matthew 26:52-54].  Our battle must be 'against the spirits and supernatural forces of evil' [Ephesians 6:12].  Evil and sin in our world are an affront to our Creator; the pain of the humble is the pain of the LORD.  We pray with this psalm, in union with all those who are hungry and thirsty for justice.  They are blessed.)

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Final Summons To Praise

"Alleluia!

Praise GOD in HIS Sanctuary;

praise HIM, in the vault of heaven.

Praise HIM, for HIS mighty deeds;

praise HIM, for HIS own greatness.

Praise HIM with trumpet blast;

praise HIM with lyre and harp.

Praise HIM, with dance and tambourines;

praise HIM with pipe and strings.

Praise HIM with clashing cymbals;

praise HIM with clanging cymbals.

Let everything that breathes, sing praise to YAHWEH.

Alleluia!"

- Psalm 150:1-6

(The psalms have shown us prayers of petition, lament, instruction, warning and exhortation: but above all and in all, they are praises of GOD.  This praise will absorb every being, in a final diapason.

The last word of everything, created and redeemed, is this: 'Alleluia!'  We have entered into eternal celebration, into eternal joy.  This psalm refers us to Revelation 19:1-10, and to the triumphal songs in heaven.  Our community, our people, anticipates the heavenly 'Alleluia' when they sing the praise of GOD on this earth.)

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The Power Of JESUS

"JESUS entered Jericho and was passing through it.  A man named Zaccheus lived there.  He was a tax collector and a wealthy man.  He wanted to see what JESUS was like, but he was a short man and could not see him because of the crowd.  So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree.  From there he would be able to see JESUS, who was going to pass that way.  When JESUS came to the place, HE looked up and said to him, 'Zaccheus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house today.  So Zaccheus climbed down and received HIM joyfully.

All the people who saw it began to grumble, and said, 'HE has gone as a guest to the house of a sinner.'  But Zaccheus spoke to JESUS, 'Half of what I own, LORD, I will give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.'  Looking at him JESUS said, 'Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham.  The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.'" - Luke 19:1-10 

(Everyone in Jericho was pointing a finger at Zaccheus: how could a man involved in dirty deals, [like he was] be converted?  What punishment would GOD send to him?  Instead of punishing him, GOD comes to his home.

JESUS shows that HE is guided by the Spirit when HE spots Zaccheus among so many people, and when HE understands at that very moment, that on that day HE has come to Jericho above all, to save a rich man.

Zaccheus knows that he is the object of envy and hatred.  He is not all bad: although his hands are dirty, he has not lost the sense of what is good and he admires the prophet JESUS secretly.  GOD is able to save him because of his good desires.  The favor JESUS does to him compels him to manifest the human and good qualities hidden in him.

It is said that he received JESUS joyfully: a joy that shows the transformation that has taken place in him.  After that, he will have no trouble in rectifying his evil deeds.  The he will share and reestablish justice.

The people are indignant, and in that they imitate the Pharisees; they believe that JESUS should share their prejudice and even their resentment.  JESUS is not a demagogue; the crowd's lack of understanding does not matter to HIM any more than that of the Pharisees.  Once again, JESUS shows HIS power, HE destroys evil by saving the sinner.)   

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Two Ways Of Living

"Blessed is the man 

who does not go where the wicked gather,

or stand in the way of sinners,

or sit where the scoffers sit!

Instead, he finds delight in the law of YAHWEH

and meditates day and night 

on HIS commandments.

He is like a tree beside a brook

producing its fruit in due season,

its leaves never withering.

Everything he does is a success.

But it is different with the wicked.

They are like chaff

driven away by the wind.

The wicked will not stand when judgment comes,

nor the sinners when the righteous assemble.

For YAHWEH knows the way of the righteous

but cuts off the way of the wicked."

- Psalm 1:1-6

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

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By A Single Sacrifice HE Has Brought Those Who Are Sanctified To What Is Perfect Forever

"So, whereas every priest stands, daily, by the altar, offering, repeatedly, the same sacrifices, that can never take away sins.  CHRIST has offered, for all times, a single sacrifice for sins, and has taken HIS seat at the right hand of GOD, waiting, until GOD puts HIS enemies as a footstool under HIS feet.  By a single sacrifice HE has brought those who are sanctified to what is perfect forever.

This also was testified by the Holy Spirit.  For after having declared: This is the Covenant that I will make with them in the days to come--says the LORD--I will put MY laws in their hearts and write them on their minds.  HE says: Their sins and evil deeds I will remember no more.  So, if sins are forgiven, there is no longer need of any sacrifice for sin." - Hebrews 10:11-18 

(The sacraments we receive--and the pardon we receive in the Church--are never more than the application at the present moment of that which has been done once and for all.  For a baptized person, there is no further rite, commitment, new baptism [baptism with a lot of water, baptism "in the spirit"...] that can give more.  All has been given in JESUS.  John does not hesitate to say that whoever is in CHRIST does not sin [John 3:6]; he does not commit a sin that leads to death [1 John 5:17].  Only sins that cause a total rupture with CHRIST can bring us back to our former state of "death."  Although it is certain that confession is of great help to overcome sin, let us not think a Christian continually passes from mortal sin to grace by confessing, sinning again, and confessing again.)

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HE Is For The Righteous A Light In Darkness

"Alleluia!

Blessed is the one who fears YAHWEH,

who greatly delights in HIS commands.

His children will be powerful on earth;

the upright's offspring will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are for his family;

there, his integrity will remain.

HE is for the righteous a light in darkness;

HE is kind, merciful and upright.

It will be well with him who lends freely,

who leads a life of justice and honesty.

For the righteous will never be moved;

he will be remembered and loved forever."

- Psalm 112:1-6

(Another alphabetical psalm, developing the thought of the blessings received by those faithful to GOD: descendants, prosperity, virtue and salvation.  It also deals with our reverence for GOD shown in practice--mainly, charity to our neighbor.  

Indeed as the psalmist says, 'HE is for the righteous, a light in darkness...'  For, in John 9:5 JESUS says, 'I AM the light of the world.'  We should therefore, never be in darkness.  HIS guiding light will always be there for us whenever we need, especially in our desperate days and when we are groping in the darkness of the night.

Our present society also needs witnesses, who fear GOD and are passionate lovers of HIS  commandments.  It needs men and women to reflect the rays of the Light because they are generous, compassionate, and attentive.  Those who want to be witnesses of GOD in our time, can pray with this psalm.)

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"Where The Body Is, There Too Will The Vultures Gather."

"As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be on the day the Son of Man comes.  In those days people ate and drank and got married; but on the day Noah entered the ark, the flood came and destroyed them all.  So it was in the days of Lot: people ate and drank, and bought and sold, and planted and built; but on the day Lot left Sodom, GOD made fire and sulfur rain down from heaven, which destroyed them all.  So will it be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

On that day, if you are on the rooftop, don't go down into the house to get your belongings; and if you happen to be in the fields, do not turn back.  Remember Lot's wife!  Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever gives his life will be born again.

I tell you, though two men are sharing the same bed, it might happen that one will be taken, and the other left; though two women are grinding meal together, one might be taken and the other left.

Then they asked JESUS, 'Where will this take place, LORD?  And HE answered, 'Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather.'" - Luke 17:26-37 

(Then come the words of JESUS concerning the end of Jerusalem and HIS second coming [Mark 13:14].  We should not speak about the end of the world in every time of anxiety.  JESUS gives us two comparisons: the lightning which is seen everywhere and the vultures which gather without fail wherever there is a corpse.  In the same way, everyone, without fail, will be aware of CHRIST's return.

Yet HIS return will catch off guard those who are not expecting it [just as in the days of Noah].  Judgment will separate the elect from the condemned--nothing separated them in daily life--from two people working side by side, one will be taken, the other left behind.

In Matthew 24:17 the reference to someone outside his house is connected with the end of Jerusalem, and here it means it will be necessary to escape quickly.  In the present text this has another meaning: when the end of the world comes it will be too late to worry about saving one's life or possessions.

Where will this take place?: foolish question as in Luke 17:20, because the LORD will not come to take HIS people to a geographic location.  On that day, the good will be taken into the presence of GOD as infallibly as vultures gather around a corpse.)

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When Will The Kingdom Of GOD Come?

"The Pharisees asked JESUS when the kingdom of GOD was to come.  HE answered, 'The kingdom of GOD is not like something you can observe, and say of it, 'Look, here it is!' or "See, there it is!' for the kingdom of GOD is within you.'

And JESUS said to HIS disciples, 'The time is at hand, when you will long to see one of the glorious days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.  Then people will tell you, 'Look there!  Look here!'  Do not go with them, do not follow them.  As lightning flashes from one end of the sky to the other, so will it be with the Son of Man; but first HE must suffer many things, and be rejected by this generation." - Luke 17:20-25 

(When will the kingdom of GOD come?  It does not come as a revolution or the change of the seasons each year: it is at work in people who have received the Good News.  Those who believe already enjoy the kingdom.

Then come the words of JESUS concerning the end of Jerusalem and HIS second coming [Mark 13:14].  We should not speak about the end of the world in every time of anxiety.)

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Your Faith Has Saved You

"On the way to Jerusalem, JESUS passed through Samaria and Galilee, and as HE entered a village, ten lepers came to meet HIM.  Keeping their distance, they called to HIM, 'JESUS, Master, have pity on us!'  JESUS said to them, 'Go, and show yourselves to the priests.'  Then, as they went on their way, they found they were cured.  One of them, as soon as he saw that he was cleansed, turned back, praising GOD in a loud voice; and throwing himself on his face before JESUS, he gave HIM thanks.  This man was a Samaritan.

Then JESUS asked him, 'Were not all ten healed?  Where are the other nine?  Did none of them decide to return and give praise to GOD, but this foreigner?'  And JESUS said to him, 'Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you.'" - Luke 17:11-19 

(The ten lepers were cured but only one of them was told: Your faith has saved you.  He was the one who responded straight from the heart.  While the others were concerned about fulfilling the legal requirements, he only thought about giving thanks to GOD right where the grace of GOD found him: such is the faith which saves and transforms us.

Among the many people asking GOD for healing and favors, how many will really come to love GOD?)

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Live As Responsible Persons

"Let your words strengthen sound doctrine.  Tell the older men to be sober, serious, wise, sound in faith, love and perseverance.

The older women, in like manner, must behave as befits holy women, not given to gossiping or drinking wine, but as good counselors, able to teach younger women to love their husbands and children, to be judicious and chaste, to take care of their households, to be kind, and submissive to their husbands, lest our faith be attacked.

Encourage the young men, to be self-controlled.  Set them an example by your own way of doing.  Let your teaching be earnest and sincere, and your preaching, beyond reproach.  Then, your opponents will feel ashamed and will have nothing to criticize.

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters, and to give satisfaction in every respect, instead of arguing.  They must not steal from them, but be trustworthy.  In this way, they will draw everyone to admire the doctrine of GOD our Savior.

For the grace of GOD has appeared, bringing salvation to all, teaching us to reject an irreligious way of life, and worldly greed, and to live in this world, as responsible persons, upright and serving GOD, while we await our blessed hope--the glorious manifestation of our great GOD and Savior JESUS CHRIST.  HE gave HIMSELF for us, to redeem us from every evil, and to purify a people HE wanted to be HIS own, and dedicated to what is good." - Titus 2:1-14 

(Here, there is a reminder of the duties of the faithful according to their situation in life.  In the society of the time, far simpler than ours, all was reduced to slaves or the free, men or women, young or old.  In our age, it would be necessary to ask people to look more closely at their responsibilities in life.

There is insistence on our duty to bear fruit: the following paragraph will say that if CHRIST has sacrificed HIMSELF for us, such a sacrifice must not remain fruitless.

The grace of GOD has appeared, bringing salvation to all.  Here Paul returns to the essence of the Christian message: it is a gift of GOD and so it must produce the fruit of goodness and reconciliation and draw people away from the self-centeredness which paralyzes them.

HE gave HIMSELF for us.  As in Ephesians 5:25 and 1 Corinthians 11:25, JESUS' sacrifice is primarily to purify those who became HIS people.  In fact, it is by looking at JESUS that, little by little, we let go of what is evil and violent in us.

Teaching us to reject an irreligious way of life.  GOD brings us to purify our motives and our hearts.

- Responsible, because the practice of Christian living brings us to a more serious attitude.

- Just with others by being primarily just with GOD.

- Serving GOD: this means first of all being sincere with GOD.)

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The RULER Of The Universe Enters HIS Chosen Dwelling Place

"The earth and its fullness belong to YAHWEH,

the world and all that dwell in it.

HE has founded it upon the ocean

and set it firmly upon the waters.

Who will ascend the mountain of YAHWEH?

Who will stand in HIS holy place?

Those with clean hands and pure heart,

who desire not what is vain,

and never swear to a lie.

They will receive blessings from YAHWEH,

a reward from GOD, their savior.

Such are the people who seek HIM,

who seek the face of Jacob's GOD."

- Psalm 24:1-6

('Heavens could not contain you!' said Solomon, 'How much less this house that I have built! [2 Chronicles 6:18].  And yet, the King of Glory passed through the gates of a Temple, where Israel's pilgrims 'sought HIS face.'  This psalm shares the astonishment of Solomon: 'Will GOD really live with men and women on the earth?'  For us that wonder is surpassed.  We have seen the Son of GOD pass through the gate of our nature and heard HIM speak 'of the temple of HIS body [John 2:21].  And this is not all!  Mystically assumed into that body, our own selves become temples too--but we must throw open the gates of a generous heart: 'If anyone loves ME, MY FATHER will love him; and we will come to HIM' [John 14:23].  We think of this as we sing: 'Let HIM enter, the King of glory!'  'Come, LORD JESUS' [Revelation 22:20].)

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The Jar Of Meal Shall Not Be Emptied

"So Elijah went to Zarephath.  On reaching the gate of the town, he saw a widow gathering sticks.  He called to her and said, 'Bring me a little water in a vessel that I may drink.'

As she was going to bring it, he called after her and said, 'Bring me also a piece of bread.'  But she answered, 'As YAHWEH your GOD lives, I have no bread left, but only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug.  I am just now gathering some sticks so that I may go in and prepare something for myself and my son to eat--and die.'

Elijah then said to her, 'Do not be afraid.  Go, and do as you have said.  But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me.  Then make some for yourself and your son.  For this is the word of YAHWEH, the GOD of Israel, 'The jar of meal shall not be emptied nor shall the jug of oil fail, until the day when YAHWEH sends rain to the earth.'

So she went and did as Elijah told her; and she had food for herself, Elijah and her son from that day on.  The jar of flour was not emptied nor did the jug of oil fail, in accordance with what YAHWEH had said through Elijah." - 1 Kings 17:10-16 

(Bring me a little water is a first step.  Bring me also a piece of bread.  Elijah tests her faith: "First you shall make me a little bread," and the widow gives him this.  This widow is similar to the one whom JESUS praises in Mark 12:41.

The jar of meal shall not be emptied.  GOD rewards this kind of faith which goes to the extent of risking everything one possesses.)

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I Am Trained For Both: To Be Hungry Or Satisfied, To Have Much Or Little!

"I rejoice in the LORD because of your concern for me.  You were indeed concerned for me before, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I do not say this because of being in want; I have learned to manage with what I have.  I know what it is to be in want and what it is to have plenty.  I am trained for both: to be hungry or satisfied, to have much or little.  I can do all things in HIM who strengthens me.

However, you did right in sharing my trials.  You Philippians, remember that, in the beginning, when we first preached the gospel, after I left Macedonia, you, alone, opened for me a debit and credit account, and when I was in Thessalonica, twice you sent me what I needed.

It is not your gift that I value, but rather, the interest increasing in your own account.  Now, I have enough, and more than enough, with everything Epaphroditus brought me, on your behalf, and which I received as 'fragrant offerings pleasing to GOD.'" - Philippians 4:10-19 

(Paul thanks the Church of Philippi for their help.  He, who is so jealous of his independence and anxious not to seem to take advantage of others under the pretext of religion, accepts what his real friends give him.)

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"Destroy This Temple And In Three Days I Will Raise It Up."

"As the Passover of the Jews was at hand,  JESUS  went up to Jerusalem.  In the temple court HE found merchants selling oxen, sheep and doves, and money-changers seated at their tables.  Making a whip of cords, HE drove them all out of the temple court, together with the oxen and sheep.  HE knocked over the tables of the money-changers, scattering the coins, and ordered the people selling doves, 'Take all this away, and stop making a marketplace of MY FATHER's house!'

HIS disciples recalled the words of Scripture: Zeal for your house devours me like fire.

The Jews then questioned JESUS, 'Where are the miraculous signs which give YOU the right to do this?'  And JESUS said, 'Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.'  The Jews then replied, 'The building of this temple has already taken forty-six years, and will YOU raise it up in three days?

Actually, JESUS was referring to the temple of HIS body.  Only when HE had risen from the dead did HIS disciples remember these words; then they believed both the Scripture and the words JESUS had spoken." - John 2:13-22 

(JESUS had not yet begun HIS preaching.  HE went to the temple of Jerusalem that was the heart of the Jewish nation and the symbol of their religion [Mark 11:12].  The temple, however, was not immune from corruption and lust for power.  In the temple the people had to make use of the priests' services to offer their sacrifices.  The priests' authority and power derived from the temple.  The temple was the place where the community's offerings and gifts were brought; and there the chief priests disposed of this treasure.  Besides this, they also received the taxes that the sellers and money- changers paid.

Zeal for your house consumes me as fire and those who insult you insult me as well.  This is taken from Psalm 69.  Actually the hatred of the chief priests for JESUS would bring HIM to HIS death.

The apostles could not understand these words: for at that time nothing was more sacred to them than the temple and the Scripture.  Later, they would know that the most ordinary word of JESUS had as much weight as the whole of Scripture.  They would also understand that JESUS is the true Temple.  Until then, people constructed temples and looked for places where they could meet GOD and obtain HIS favors.  Now GOD has made HIMSELF present in JESUS: it is HE who delivers GOD's riches to us.)

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The Black Sheep

"Meanwhile tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of JESUS, all of them eager to hear what HE had to say.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law frowned at this, muttering, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'  So JESUS told them this parable:

'Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and seek the lost one till he finds it?  And finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders?  Then he will call his friends and neighbors together, and say, 'Celebrate with me, for I have found my lost sheep!'  I tell you, in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over ninety-nine decent people, who do not need to repent.

What woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one, will not light a lamp, and sweep the house in a thorough search, till she finds the lost coin?  And finding it, she will call her friends and neighbors, and say, 'Celebrate with me, for I have found the silver coin I lost!'  I tell you, in the same way, there is rejoicing among the angels of GOD over one repentant sinner.'" - Luke 15:1-10 

(Why do the Pharisees complain?  Because they are scrupulously concerned about ritual purity.  In this perspective--present in the Old Testament--in a relationship between two people, the one who is unclean will contaminate the other.  Since "sinners" by definition never think of purifying themselves of the hundred and one impurities of daily life, JESUS could then be considered a teacher ready to become impure at any moment.  So it is that JESUS will speak of GOD's mercy that has not swept away sinners from HIS presence.

Then again, is not there something more human in the indignation of "good" people: let everyone see the difference between the rest and us!  Once more JESUS battles against the old idea of merits that have been gained and therefore worthy of GOD's reward.

Happy the one sheep JESUS went after, leaving the ninety-nine!  Poor righteous ones who do not need GOD's forgiveness!

In large cities today, the church seems to be left with only one sheep.  Why does she not get out, namely, let go of her income, privileges or devotions of a commercial style, to go out looking for the ninety-nine who got lost?  To leave the comfortable circle of believers who have no problems, to look beyond our renewed rituals, and to be ready to be criticized just as JESUS was criticized, is the challenge today.

Who lights the lamp, sweeps the house and searches except GOD HIMSELF?  Out of respect for GOD, the Jews of JESUS' time preferred not to name HIM, and they used expressions such as the angels or heaven.)

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Continue Working Out Your Salvation "With Fear And Trembling"

"Therefore, my dearest friends, as you always obeyed me while I was with you, even more, now, that I am far from you, continue working out your salvation 'with fear and trembling.'  It is GOD who makes you, not only wish but also, carry out what pleases HIM.  Do everything without grumbling, so, that, without fault or blame, you will be children of GOD, without reproach, among a crooked and perverse generation.  You are a light among them, like stars in the universe, holding to the word of life.  I shall feel proud of you, on the day of CHRIST, on seeing that my effort and labor have not been in vain.  And if I am being poured out, as a libation over the sacrifice, and the offering of your faith, I rejoice and continue to share your joy; and, you, likewise should rejoice and share my joy." - Philippians 2:12-18 

(Continue working out your salvation "with fear and trembling".  It is not a matter of being afraid of GOD.  Paul has just urged his readers to rejoice, since they no longer have the spirit of slaves to make them fearful, but the spirit of sons and daughters [Romans 8:15].

Paul, in fact, has just recalled CHRIST's sacrifice and he draws this conclusion: take your life very seriously [this is the meaning of fear and trembling: as does the one who carefully carries a precious load].  Be aware that GOD is at work in you through these good desires that come to you.  Live in the presence of GOD.)

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Imitate The Humility Of JESUS

"Your attitude should be the same as JESUS CHRIST had:

Though HE was in the form of  GOD,   

HE did not regard equality with GOD as something to be grasped,

but emptied HIMSELF,

taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness,

and, in HIS appearance, found, as a man,

HE humbled HIMSELF by being obedient, to death,

death on the cross.

That is why GOD exalted HIM

and gave HIM the name which outshines all names,

so, that, at the name of JESUS all knees should bend

in heaven, on earth and among the dead,

and all tongues proclaim, that CHRIST JESUS is the LORD,

to the glory of GOD the FATHER." -  Philippians 2:5-11 

(HE did not regard equality with GOD: the mystery of GOD's Son who became a mortal man and gave up GOD's glory, although HE could have preserved it even in HIS human life.  Since CHRIST was to be the New Man, glorified by GOD and placed above everything, HIS being subject to misery and limitations was a way of being reduced to nothingness.

GOD exalted HIM.  The humiliation and obedience of CHRIST were the condition for receiving HIS glory.  HE gave HIM the name [of GOD], that is, HE made HIM fully enjoy in HIS human nature the divine Power [or name].) 

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When You Give A Feast, Invite Instead The Poor, The Crippled, The Lame And The Blind!

"JESUS, also addressed the man who had invited HIM, and said, 'When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives. or your wealthy neighbors.  For surely they will also invite you in return, and you will be repaid.  When you give a feast, invite instead the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.  Fortunate are you then, because they cannot repay you.  You will be repaid at the resurrection of the upright.'" - Luke 14:12-14 

(Everyone of us seeks to be near those who are above us, since we think  we benefit more from being connected with those who are superior than with those who are inferior.

JESUS' warning points to one of the main causes of injustice.  We all share in the guilt when we decide with whom it is more beneficial to be associated; consequently everyone tries to climb higher, always leaving the weakest in the most isolated and helpless position.

It would be a strange sight to see public officials pay more attention to the poorly dressed, or to see the poorest areas supplied with water and power before the residential districts, or to see doctors go to the rural areas to practice.)

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YAHWEH Is The Only One

"Fear YAHWEH, observe HIS commandments all the days of your life and HIS norms that I teach you today.  So also for your children and your children's children that they may live long.

Listen, then, Israel, observe these commandments and put them into practice.  If you do this, you will be well and you will multiply in this land flowing with milk and honey, as YAHWEH, the GOD of your fathers, promised you.

Listen, Israel: YAHWEH, our GOD, is One YAHWEH.  And you shall love YAHWEH, your GOD, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.  Engrave on your heart the commandments that I pass on to you today." - Deuteronomy 6:2-6 

(Listen Israel: YAHWEH, our GOD, is One YAHWEH.  These verses are the creed of the Jews: which they recite every day.  JESUS alludes to this text when they question HIM about the most important command.

You shall love YAHWEH, your GOD, with all your heart.  The love of GOD cannot be totally unselfish.  Israel knew that by responding to the love of GOD who chose them, they were on the right path and GOD would reward them with peace and material prosperity.

Engrave in your heart the commandments: keep them present in your mind to help you organize your thinking and to be able to judge everything according to these standards.)

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The First Places

"JESUS then told a parable to the guests, for HE had noticed how they tried to take the places of honor.  And HE said, 'When you are invited to a wedding party, do not choose the best seat.  It may happen that someone more important than you has been invited; and your host, who invited both of you, will come and say to you, 'Please give this person your place.'  What shame is yours when you take the lowest seat!

Whenever you are invited, go rather to the lowest seat, so that your host may come and say to you, 'Friend, you must come up higher.'  And this will be a great honor for you in the presence of all the other guests.  For whoever makes himself out to be great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.'" - Luke 14:7-11 

(Here JESUS develops a biblical proverb inviting us to be modest in social gatherings [Proverbs 25:6-7].  Such behavior befits GOD's children.  Whatever the area of human activity may be, we should let others seek the first place, while stepping on other people as they do so.  We know that what matters is not what is seen: GOD knows how to exalt the humble and place them where it best suits him.

Moreover, when we go from the earthly church to the kingdom of heaven, there will be changes in who occupies the first places.  Someone who was pope, or bishop or a prominent "Catholic" may count less than the little old lady who was selling newspapers.)

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Through Baptism We Died With CHRIST

"Don't you know, that in baptism, which unites us to CHRIST, we are all baptized and plunged into HIS death?  By this baptism in HIS death, we were buried with CHRIST and, as CHRIST was raised from among the dead by the glory of the FATHER, we begin walking in a new life.  If we have been joined to HIM by dying a death like HIS, so shall we be, by a resurrection like HIS.

We know, that our old self was crucified with CHRIST, so as to destroy what of us was sin, so that, we may no longer serve sin--if we are dead, we are no longer in debt to sin.  But, if we have died with CHRIST, we believe we will also live with HIM.  We know, that CHRIST, once risen form the dead, will not die again, and death has no more dominion over HIM." - Romans 6:3-9 

(We are all plunged into HIS death.  Baptism means entering into CHRIST to share the benefits of HIS sacrifice.  It also means the acceptance of a complete change of life, that of CHRIST in HIS death and resurrection.)

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How Do We Prove That We Are GOD's Children?

"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 3:1-3

(Here begins the second part of the letter: we are GOD's children and we must live as such.  How do we prove that we are GOD's children?  According to the 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 us in a thousand ways, because only in this way can we 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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