Call Of Levi

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

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

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

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Unfastening The Thongs Of The Yoke

"See the fast that pleases ME:

breaking the fetters of injustice

and unfastening the thongs of the yoke,

setting the oppressed free

and breaking every yoke.

Fast by sharing your food with the hungry,

bring to your house the homeless,

clothe the one you see naked

and do not turn away from your own kin.

Then will your light break forth as the dawn

and your healing come in a flash.

Your righteousness will be your vanguard,

the glory of YAHWEH your rearguard.

Then you will call and YAHWEH will answer, 

you will cry and HE will say, I AM here."

- Isaiah 58:6-9

(Unfastening the thongs of the yoke.  Here we have a glimpse of the tremendous effort demanded of all in order to do away with every form of slavery: from the small privileges that working companions compete for, to the laws that keep entire groups marginated.  It includes breaking the yoke of husbands' domination over their wives and the disputes between neighbors when no one dares to take the first step.

It is not enough to be converted to GOD "from the heart," for conversion comes about by changing both the persons and structures.  These make us share in the injustices and sins of the society in which we live.  An incredible number of sins--corruption, prostitution, violence--are linked to colonialism and the economic and cultural dependence that go with it.

Sharing your food with the hungry: and that on a world scale for humankind is one, the only Adam of whom CHRIST is the head.

Your light will break forth as the dawn.  We see the leaders of the nations come together, discuss and study in order to solve the urgent problems of humanity.  No light breaks forth.  It is a known fact that the research of a scientist does not bring him directly to great discoveries.  Rather, he often finds the solution suddenly where he did not expect it.  In the same way, human problems resist theoretical solutions, but unexpected ways will be found when every nation and every segment of society willingly shares and no longer oppresses others.)

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Choose Life

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

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

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

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

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

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Return To ME With Your Whole Heart

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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GOD Opposes The Proud But HE Gives HIS Favor To The Humble

"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 becomes 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 HIS 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 [see 1:5-8].  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?  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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Do You Not Know That You Are GOD's Temple?

"Do you not know that you are GOD's temple, and that GOD's Spirit abides within you?  If anyone destroys the temple of GOD, GOD will destroy him.  GOD's temple is holy, and you are this temple." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 

(Do you not know that you are GOD's temple?  CHRIST is the new Temple that takes the place of the temple of the Jews [John 2:19 and Mark 15.38].  The Temple of GOD is CHRIST because in HIM abides all the divine Mystery.  The Temple of GOD is likewise the Church because in her the Holy Spirit is working.  The Temple of GOD is also each home and each believer [see 6:19] because the Spirit lives in each one of them.)

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Shepherd The Flock Which GOD Has Entrusted To You

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

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

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

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

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Faith Is Shown In Action

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, to profess faith, without showing works?  Such faith has no power to save you.  If a brother or sister is in need of clothes or food, and one of you says, 'May things go well for you; be warm and satisfied,' without attending to their material needs, what good is that?  So, it is, for faith without deeds: it is totally dead.

Say to whoever challenges you, 'You have faith and I have good deeds; show me your faith apart from actions and I, for my part, will show you my faith in the way I act.'  Do you believe there is one GOD?  Well enough, but do not forget, that the demons, also, believe, and tremble with fear!

You foolish one, do you have to be convinced, that faith without deeds is useless?  Think of our father Abraham.  Was he not justified by the act of offering his son Isaac on the altar?  So you see, his faith was active, along with his deeds, and became perfect by what he did.  The word of Scripture was thus fulfilled, Abraham believed in GOD so he was considered a righteous person and he was called the friend of GOD.

So you see, a person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.  Likewise, we read of Rahab, the prostitute, that she was acknowledged and saved, because she welcomed the spies, and showed them another way to leave.

So, just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds is also dead.) - James 2:14-26 

(It is necessary to have faith to be saved, but following CHRIST cannot be theoretical; it must be shown in action, in deeds.  CHRIST HIMSELF says the same thing in Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says, 'LORD, LORD,' will enter the kingdom of heaven."

Let us look at the two examples that James takes from the Old Testament and let us compare them with Hebrews 11:31, and above all with Romans 4 [Galatians 3].  It seems that James and Paul draw opposite teachings from the same examples.  Paul says: Abraham was justified by faith and not by following the law.  James, on the other hand, says that they were saved by putting their faith into practice.  Actually, in speaking of practices, Paul is thinking about the religious rites and observances of the Jews that are useless for salvation, and he says that faith is at the root of all Christian life.  James, in speaking of practices, is thinking about deeds inspired by love.  Paul said the same when he wrote: "Faith works through love" [Galatians 5:6].

These apparently contrary affirmations of James and Paul were widely discussed at the beginning of the Reformation, when certain commentators bluntly affirmed that a person is saved by faith alone.  Yet it would not be sufficient to show how we can achieve reconciliation between the words of Paul and James.  There is clearly with them quite different ways of seeing and feeling and that is due as much to the diversity of human temperaments as to the richness of the Christian experience, which is not always the same for everyone.  These real differences that we find even among the apostles encourage us to accept that others may think and express their faith in ways different from our own.) 

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Treat The Rich And The Poor Equally

"My brothers and sisters, if you truly believe in our glorified LORD, JESUS CHRIST, you will not discriminate between persons.  Suppose a person enters the synagogue where you are assembled, dressed magnificently and wearing a gold ring; at the same time, a poor person enters dressed in rags.  If you focus your attention on the well-dressed and say, 'Come and sit in the best seat,' while, to the poor one you say, 'Stay standing, or else sit down at my feet,' have you not, in fact, made a distinction between the two?  Have you not judged, using a double standard?

Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters, did GOD not choose the poor of this world to receive the riches of faith, and to inherit the kingdom, which HE has promised to those who love HIM?  Yet, you despise them!  Is it not the rich who are against you, and drag you to court?  Do they not insult the holy name of CHRIST by which you are called?

If you keep the law of the kingdom, according to Scripture: Love your neighbor as yourself, you do well; but if you make distinctions between persons, you break the law, and are condemned by the same law." - James 2:1-9 

(Whoever makes a distinction between persons is not Christian.

Distinction of class, of color: there is never a reason for showing favoritism and not respecting the rights of each person, for making her wait or treating her less well.  There is at stake an instinct for justice that is linked with faith.

James speaks of distinctions within the Church and alas!  Often it is there that they tenaciously cling.  If in many countries the Church is much frequented by those who are socially well off, better educated, it is surely  because of its choices: our practices have cast aside others until they are no longer seen.

Did GOD not choose the poor of this world to receive the riches of faith?  The apostles who are our undisputed masters in faith were poor with regard to money and influence, but they were sufficiently rich in faith to sign it with their blood.

James says that the rich profane the name of CHRIST.  He speaks perhaps of the rich unbelievers who ridicule the simple faithful, or perhaps of the wealthy Christians whose way of life draws criticism of the name of CHRIST.  They profane the name of CHRIST and bring contempt on the Church.

James invites the Church to examine itself on the way we treat each other in our institutions: with whom are the pastors of the Church usually found, who are those with whom they feel at ease and in whom they confide.  What terrible truth would be revealed by an investigation of these points!)

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

"Do not be deceived, my beloved.  Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the FATHER of Light, in whom there is no change, or shadow of a change.  By HIS own will, HE gave us life, through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of offering to HIM, among HIS creatures." - James 1:16-18 

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

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No One, When Tempted, Should Say, "This Temptation Comes From GOD."

"Happy are those who patiently endure trials, because, afterward, they will receive the crown of life, which the LORD promised to those who love HIM.  No one, when tempted, should say, 'This temptation comes from GOD.'  GOD is never tempted, and HE can never tempt anyone.  Instead, each of us is lured, and enticed, by our own evil desire.  Once this desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when fully grown, gives birth to death." - James 1:12-15 

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

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Endure Trials Patiently

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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GOD Made Us Free And Responsible

"If you wish, you can keep the commandments and it is in your power to remain faithful.

HE has set fire and water before you; you stretch out your hand to whichever you prefer.

Life and death are set before man: whichever a man prefers will be given him.

How magnificent is the wisdom of the LORD!  HE is powerful and all-seeing.

HIS eyes are on those who fear HIM.  HE knows all the works of man.

HE has commanded no one to be godless and has given no one permission to sin." - Sirach 15:15-20 

(This poem clearly declares that human beings are free and responsible.  In his letter [1:13], James will recall the first sentence of this paragraph.  In Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Moses already told his people: "Life and death are before you; choose."

At times the Scriptures seems to say that GOD pushes a person to sin in order to punish him later [see Exodus 10:27; 2 Samuel 24:1]; yet there is no doubt that humans are free.  The Israelites were so convinced that nothing is done without GOD, that they had trouble explaining how someone can sin without this being GOD's will.  Even though they lacked the words to express it, they always saw human beings as persons responsible for their actions.)

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The Religious Division

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

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

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

And this became the sin of the family of Jeroboam for which it was to be cut off and destroyed from the face of the earth. - 1 Kings 12:26-13:34 

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

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

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

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This Is MY Son, The Beloved, MY Chosen One. Listen To HIM

"There shall be no strange god among you,

you shall not worship any alien god,

for I, YAHWEH, AM your GOD, 

who led you forth from the land of Egypt.

But MY people did not listen;

Israel did not obey.

So I gave them over to their stubbornness

and they followed their own counsels.

If only MY people would listen, 

if only Israel would walk in MY ways,

I would quickly subdue their adversaries

and turn MY hand against their enemies."

- Psalm 81:10-15

(This psalm urges us to listen to the voice of the LORD, because idols are with us, even today.  'We lack dynamism to evangelize and change the world: this is because, we still have idols even in our apostolic planning.  GOD HIMSELF in the Transfiguration tells in Matthew 17:5, 'This is MY Son, the Beloved, MY Chosen One, Listen to HIM.'

GOD keeps HIS promise.  If only we would listen, we would have food for body and soul.)

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Solomon Turns Away From YAHWEH

"In Solomon's old age, his wives led him astray to serve other gods and, unlike his father David, his heart was no longer wholly given to YAHWEH his GOD.  For he served Astarte the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom, the idol of the Ammonites.  He did what displeased YAHWEH and, unlike his father David, was unfaithful to HIM.  Solomon even built a high place for Chemosh, the idol of Moab, on the mountain east of Jerusalem and also for Molech, the idol of the Ammonites.  He did the same for all his foreign wives who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.

YAHWEH became angry with Solomon  because his heart had turned away from YAHWEH, the God of Israel.  YAHWEH appeared to him twice and commanded him not to follow other gods.  But he did not obey YAHWEH's command.  Therefore, YAHWEH said to Solomon, 'Since this has been your choice and you have kept neither MY Covenant nor the statutes I commanded you, I will take the kingdom from you and give it to your servant.  Nevertheless, I will not do this during your lifetime for the sake of your father David; I will take it from your son.  But I will not take it all; I will reserve one tribe for your son for the sake of David MY servant, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen,'" - 1 Kings 11:4-13 

(Scripture is not scandalized at Solomon's having several wives.  At that time, to have many wives was an indication of a man's wealth.  Scripture rebukes him for taking pagan wives.  In this way, Solomon entered into an alliance with these people who did not know GOD, imitating them in their materialism.

Luxury corrupts wisdom.  Solomon makes a show of his manliness, unaware of the fact that his wives are ordering him around.  These foreign women arrive with their priests and their pagan cults that will draw Israel into idolatry and materialism.

The people thought that the king blessed by YAHWEH had to be surrounded with luxury and honors.  Later the prophets would recall that power, wealth and luxury numb the heart of a ruler [Deuteronomy 17:14].  All people in the course of history have had the same experience.  Even in the Church, for centuries thought it fitting that their bishops and popes assume the appearance of nobles, and we are still paying the consequences of that error.

You have kept neither MY Covenant nor the statutes.  Solomon's real sin consists in directing his life and his nation without seeking GOD's will.  He lives like any other king and works out his own ambitions, thinking it is enough to ask YAHWEH's blessings.)   

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Clean And Unclean

"JESUS then called the people to HIM again and said to them, 'Listen to ME, all of you, and try to understand.  Nothing that enters a person from the outside can make that person unclean.  It is what comes from within that makes a person unclean.  Let everyone who has ears listen.'

When JESUS got home and was away from the crowd, HIS disciples asked HIM about this saying, and HE replied, 'So even you are dull?  Do you not see that whatever comes from outside cannot make a person unclean, since it enters not the heart but the stomach, and is finally passed out?'

Thus JESUS declared that all foods are clean.

And HE went on, 'What comes out of a person is what defiles him, for evil designs come out of the heart: theft, murder, adultery, jealousy, greed, maliciousness, deceit, indecency, slander, pride and folly.  All these evil things come from within and make a person unclean.'" - Mark 7:14-23 

(An important practice of Judaism was to keep oneself clean: one could not participate in worship without being in a state of ritual purity.  This word "purity" did not have the same meaning we give it today.  The clean person was one who was not contaminated even inadvertently by things prohibited by law.  For example, pork and rabbit were considered unclean; they could not be eaten.  A menstruating woman or a person with hemorrhoids were considered unclean for a certain number of days: no one could even touch them.  A leper was considered unclean until cured.  If a bug fell in oil, the oil was considered unclean, and would have to be thrown away.

If contaminated even by no fault of his own, the person had to purify himself, usually with water, sometimes paying for sacrifices.

At one time, these laws were useful in encouraging a hygienic life-style.  They also protected the faith of the Jews who lived among people who did not know GOD.  How could they guard their faith in the one GOD if they were to live with other nations, befriend them, and even imitate their ways?  With so many religious practices to observe, the Jews had to live apart from those who did not share their faith and life-style.

It is true that Scriptures, teaches these concepts of purity and impurity, but these laws were written many centuries ago and not everything Scripture says is valid for all times.  Through the teachings of the Scriptures GOD educated HIS nation, but the laws HE gave them from the beginning, when they were barbaric and uneducated, are no longer necessary for a community which has a solid religious foundation.

It is quite legitimate for Christians to adopt a vegetarian way of life, that Christian communities consider abstinence from alcohol and tobacco as a witness to help addicts.  But let us not say that this is part of our faith nor let us judge those who do not agree with us.  That would otherwise undermine the transcendence of Christian salvation that goes beyond any question of "eating and drinking" [Romans 14:17].)

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"At The End Of Time, There Will Be Scoffers, Led By Their Desires, Which Are Those Of Godless People."

"The scum of their vices is splashed, like foam on the rough waves of the sea, they are like shooting stars, which the thick darkness engulfs for ever.  The patriarch Enoch, the seventh after Adam, said these words about them: The LORD comes with thousands of angels, to judge everyone, and call the wicked to account, for all the evil deeds they committed; HE will punish all the injurious words, the impious sinners uttered against HIM.  All these are discontented, who curse their lot and follow their passions.  Their mouth is full of arrogant words, and they flatter people for their own interest.

But, most beloved, remember what the apostles of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, announced to you.   They said to you, 'At the end of time, there will be scoffers, led by their desires, which are those of godless people.'  Actually, these people are those who cause divisions, they are worldly people, and do not have the Holy Spirit." - Jude 13-19

St. Jude Thaddeus Symbol

(This letter which is attributed to the apostle Jude Thaddeus was written, in fact, about the end of the first century.  It denounces the false teachers like those mentioned in the letters to Timothy and Titus.)

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Our LORD, Our King, Came To Bring GOD To Earth

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

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

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

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

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

- Psalm 132:6-10

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

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Your LIght Will Break Forth As The Dawn

"Fast by sharing your food with the hungry,

bring to your house the homeless,

clothe the one you see naked

and do not turn away from your own kin.

Then will your light break forth as the dawn

and your healing come in a flash.

Your righteousness will be your vanguard,

the glory of YAHWEH your rearguard.

Then you will call and YAHWEH will answer,

you will cry and he will say, I am here.

If you remove from your midst the yoke,

the clenched fist and the wicked word,

If you share your food with the hungry

and give relief to the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the dark,

your night will be like noon."

- Isaiah 58:7-10

 (Sharing your food with the hungry: and that on a world scale for humankind is one, the only Adam of whom CHRIST is the head.

Your light will break forth as the dawn.  We see the leaders of the nations come together, discuss and study in order to solve the urgent problems of humanity.  No light breaks forth.  It is a known fact that the research of a scientist does not bring him directly to great discoveries.  Rather, he often finds the solution suddenly where he did not expect it.  In the same way, human problems resist theoretical solutions, but unexpected ways will be found when every nation and every segment of society willingly shares and no longer oppresses others.)

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JESUS Had Compassion On Them

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

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

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

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

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

This compassion of JESUS helps us understand that Christian commitment to the poor is not complete as long as the Church is not itself deeply rooted in the lower class of society.) 

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King Herod Respected John The Baptist

"King Herod also heard about JESUS, because HIS name had become well-known.  Some people said, 'John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in HIM.'  Others thought, 'HE is Elijah,' and others, 'HE is a prophet like the prophets of times past.'  When Herod was told of this, he thought, 'I had John beheaded; yet, he has risen from the dead!'

For this is what had happened: Herod had ordered John to be arrested; and had had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.  Herod had married her; and John had told him, 'It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife.'  So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him; but she could not, because Herod respected John.  He knew John to be an upright and holy man, and kept him safe.  And he liked listening to him; although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him.

Herodias had her chance on Herod's birthday, when he gave a dinner for all the senior government officials, military chiefs, and the leaders of Galilee.  On that occasion, the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and his guests.  The king said to the girl, 'Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you.'  And he went so far as to say with many oaths, 'I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.'  She went out and said to her mother, 'What shall I ask for?'  The mother replied, 'The head of John the Baptist.'  The girl hurried to the king and made her request, 'I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish.'

The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths.  So he sent one of the bodyguards, with orders to bring John's head.  He went and beheaded John in prison; then he brought it to the girl.  And the girl gave it to her mother.  When John's disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it." - Mark 6:14-29 

(King Herod.  This refers to Herod Antipas, son of the other Herod who reigned when JESUS was born.

King Herod respected John, but he was prisoner of his milieu and of his vices.  As king of Galilee, his misconduct constituted a public counter-witness.

All through the Scriptures we see prophets stressing the particular responsibility of those who wield power.  If they have to lead the poeople, they must be, by the rectitude of their life, an example; John the Baptist could not speak of justice without reproaching Herod for his infidelity.)

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David's Testament

"When David is about to die, he gave his son Solomon this instruction, 'I am about to go the way of all creatures.  Be strong and show yourself a man.  Keep the commandments of YAHWEH your GOD and walk in HIS ways.  Keep HIS statutes, HIS commands, HIS ordinances and declarations written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do and wherever you go.  If you do so, YAHWEH will fulfill the promise HE made to me: 'If your sons take care to walk before me faithfully with their whole heart and their whole soul, you shall always have one of your descendants on the throne of Israel.'

Now you know what Joab, the son of Zeruiah did to me--how he dealt with the two commanders of Israel's armies, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether.  These two he murdered, avenging, in time of peace, blood which had been shed in time of war.  He has thus stained with innocent blood the belt I wear and the sandals on my feet.  Act wisely, his blood must be shed before he dies of old age.  As to the sons of Barzillai, the Gileadite, deal kindly with them and let them be among those who eat at your table, for they themselves treated me with similar kindness when I fled from your brother Absalom.

With you also is Shimei, son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim who cursed me terribly the day I fled to Mahanaim.  When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by YAHWEH, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.'  Now therefore, you, being a wise man, shall not hold him guiltless.  You will know what to do with him: his blood must be shed before he dies of old age.'

Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David.  David reigned over Israel for forty years: seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.  So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father and his reign was firmly established." - 1 Kings 2:1-12 

King David And Son Solomon

(At the end of his life, David, who had already lost two sons in the pursuit of power [see 2 Samuel 3:2], chooses the wife whose son would be heir to the throne.  Bathsheba is therefore designated [1 Kings 1:17] as queen-mother and her son Solomon is to reign in place of his father David.  From this day onward, aware of the importance of the Davidic dynasty in the history of salvation, the Books of Kings mention for each reign the wife who will be appointed queen-mother and whose son will be enthroned in Jerusalem [this was not done for the king of Israel in the dissident kingdom].  When JESUS, the true descendant of David comes, the Gospel reveals the woman chosen among all, the mother whom GOD, in HIS sovereign authority, has destined to give birth to the Son and Heir [Luke 1:31, 42; Hebrews 1:2].

Keep the commandments of YAHWEH your GOD.  This is the wisdom of the prophets: if the king and his people fulfill these laws, they will be prosperous.

Joab... Shimei...  David had pardoned them; why did he now ask Solomon to kill them?  This has nothing to do with David's holding grudges against them but rather with his being as superstitious as the people of his time.  For them, the curse uttered by Shimei [2 Samuel 16:6] [or by anyone else] remains active and can suddenly fall on David's descendants.  The most effective way to prevent the curse from harming them is to have it fall on Shimei himself and thus spare David's descendants.  In the same way, the blood shed by Joab [2 Samuel 3:28] cries to heaven, and it is better to eliminate him so that GOD's justice  may fall on him and not on David's children.) 

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The Joy Of Being Forgiven

"Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven,

whose iniquity is wiped away.

Blessed are those in whom YAHWEH sees no guilt

and in whose spirit is found no deceit.

When I kept my sin secret,

my body wasted away;

I was moaning all day long.

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

draining my strength, parching my heart,

as in the heat of a summer drought.

Then I made known to YOU my sin

and uncovered before YOU my fault,

saying to myself

'To YAHWEH I will now confess my wrong.'

And YOU, YOU forgave my sin;

YOU removed my guilt.

So let the faithful ones pray

to YOU in time of distress;

the overflowing waters will not reach them.

YOU are my refuge;

YOU protect me from distress

and surround me with songs of deliverance."

- Psalm 32:1-7

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

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

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

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Loyalty In GOD's Service

"Listen, O YAHWEH, and answer me, for I am afflicted and needy.

Preserve my life, for I am GOD-fearing; save YOUR servant who trusts in YOU.

Have mercy on me, O YAHWEH, for I cry to YOU all day.

Bring joy to the soul of YOUR servant; for YOU, O YAHWEH, I lift up my soul.

You are good and forgiving, O YAHWEH, caring for those who call on YOU.

Listen, O YAHWEH, to my prayer, hear the voice of my pleading."

- Psalm 86:1-6

(This is a gentle psalm, a little muted in tone, without cries for help or loud shouts of anguish.  The psalmist, here, is making a sincere and true appeal to GOD to answer his prayer.

Whenever we live moments of anguish, whatever their cause, it will be good for us to confide our burden on another, on GOD, whose presence in this psalm, is comforting.  JESUS tells us in Matthew 11:24: 'Whatever you ask for in prayer full of faith, you will receive.'  We have this assurance from JESUS HIMSELF.  So, full of faith, let us also pray to GOD, for whatever we need, assured that it will be answered.)

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Confidence Under Persecution

"O YAHWEH, how great in number are my foes!

How numerous are they who rise against me!

How many are they who say of my soul:

'There is no help for him in GOD!'

But YOU are my shield, O YAHWEH,

my glory; YOU lift up my head.

Aloud I cry to YAHWEH,

and from HIS holy Hill HE answers me.

If I lie down to sleep,

again I awake, for YAHWEH supports me;

no fear of the thousands standing against me."

- Psalm 3:2-7

(The 'enemies' are always trying to undermine the psalmist's trust in GOD.  The psalmist sees their political or personal hostility as a test of his confidence in the shield that protects him.  It follows that though we and the psalmist have different enemies we are fighting in a common cause: to keep the supply-lines open between GOD and ourselves.  Difficulties from outside us and struggles within are not in themselves good things: they are only good challenges, opportunities, or urgent invitations to turn to the only place where help is to be found.

The psalm has a Christian projection in the exhortation of JESUS: "Do not be afraid.  I have conquered the world" [John 16:33].  No matter what the odds against him, with his undeniable faith in GOD, the Christian will be a winner.  The believer will thus be able to face the present-day adversities.)

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CHRIST Saves Us Through Sharing Flesh And Blood, And Human Destiny

"And because all those children share one same nature of flesh and blood, JESUS, likewise, had to share this nature.  This is why HIS death destroyed the one holding the power of death, that is the devil, and freed those who remained in bondage all their lifetime, because of the fear of death.

JESUS came, to take by the hand, not the angels but the human race.  So, HE had to be like HIS brothers and sisters, in every respect, in order to be the high priest, faithful to GOD and merciful to them, a priest, able to ask pardon, and atone for their sins.  Having been tested through suffering, HE is able to help those who are tested." - Hebrews 2:14-18 

(JESUS had to share this nature.  GOD uses human solidarity to save us.  CHRIST saves us through sharing flesh and blood, and human destiny.  In the same way, we are saved if we help in the liberation of the world, if we courageously accept our dependence on and solidarity with others.  To work side by side with others, to suffer and rejoice with them is a way of saving them.  We would like, at times, to escape our human condition and to be more independent: it seems to us that we would be better able to serve GOD, yet this dependence in the details of daily life is the means by which GOD wants us to take the human race by the hand.)

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A Deep Sense Of Sin Is Already A Step Toward The Sanctity Of GOD

"Create in me, O GOD, a pure heart;

give me a new and steadfast spirit.

Do not cast me out of YOUR presence

nor take YOUR holy spirit from me.

Give me again, the joy of YOUR salvation;

and sustain me, with a willing spirit.

Then I will show wrongdoers YOUR ways

and sinners will return to YOU.

Deliver me, O GOD, from the guilt of blood;

and of YOUR justice, I shall sing aloud.

O YAHWEH, open my lips.

and I will declare YOUR praise."

- Psalm 51:12-17

(It is good to pray with this psalm, when we feel overwhelmed by our guilt, be it against GOD or against our brothers and sisters, and we seek the goodness of GOD, who justifies us.

When we receive the sacrament of reconciliation, we meet JESUS HIMSELF, the Savior who intercedes, and the FATHER who pardons.  Each of our confessions is a joyful celebration of GOD's mercy and a source of renewal.)

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The Seed Growing By Itself

"JESUS also said, 'In the kingdom of GOD it is like this: a man scatters seed upon the soil.  Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night, the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.  The soil produces of itself; first, the blade; then, the ear; then the full grain in the ear.  And when it is ripe for harvesting, they take the sickle for the cutting: the time for the harvest has come.'" - Mark 4:26-29 

(In every period of time, people become impatient.  When will the kingdom of justice be realized?  Will violence and corruption soon come to an end?  JESUS answers: invisible forces are already at work; the world matures and the kingdom grows on.

How many seeds are cast to the wind?  A new style, a new song, a new device, a radio program.  Some seeds have grown and taken root, producing fruits that mobilize people.  Let us recognize the humble beginnings of the work of GOD: good willed people meeting together to solve a community problem; a gesture of kindness in a closed, unfriendly environment; a first attempt to smile at life after a great disappointment.  The seed grows, and the person who has welcomed the word walks more confidently on the path where GOD leads.)

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"You Waste Your Time If You Only Listen To ME Yet Do Not Allow What You Hear To Bear Fruit."

"JESUS also said to them, 'When the light comes, is it put under a basket or a bed?  Surely it is put on a lamp stand.  Whatever is hidden will be disclosed, and whatever is kept secret will be brought to light.  Listen then, if you have ears!'

And HE also said to them, 'Pay attention to what you hear.  In the measure you give, so shall you receive, and still more will be given to you.  For to the one who produces something, more will be given; and from him who does not produce anything, even what he has will be taken away from him.'" - Mark 4:21-25 

(Listen then, if you have ears.  JESUS warns us, "You waste your time if you only listen to ME yet do not allow what you hear to bear fruit.  The measure that you measure out will be the measure you receive.  That is to say, if you begin to act according to what you have learned, you will receive from GOD new strength and new knowledge.  If you do nothing, even your religious beliefs will be of no value to you, not even when you present yourself before GOD.  You read MY Gospel, but now challenge yourselves before you follow any further."

Whatever is hidden.  The word works secretly within the heart but when we discover the transformation that is at work in our life, we readily proclaim CHRIST and make known to others the secret that has made us happy [Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:3; Philippians 2:10].)

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The Mystery Of The Kingdom Of GOD Has Been Given To You

"When the crowd went away, some who were around HIM with the Twelve asked about the parables.

HE answered them, 'The mystery of the kingdom of GOD has been given to you.  But for those outside, everything comes in parables, so, that, the more they see, they don't perceive; the more they hear, they don't understand; otherwise they would be converted and pardoned.'" - Mark 4:10-12 

(The mystery of the kingdom of GOD has been given to you.  JESUS reminds the disciples who are there with HIM, receiving from HIM the word of GOD, that they owe it to GOD's grace.  GOD HIMSELF has chosen them to receive and transmit the proclamation of the kingdom.  Instead of pausing to ponder over such generosity, we might take the phrase in its opposite sense and ask: Has GOD then wished that others neither see nor understand?

The more they see, they don't perceive;...  This verse quotes an important text of Isaiah 6:9 which will be recalled in John 12:40 and Acts 28:26.  To understand, we must remember that the prophet used a grammatical form proper to Hebrew and difficult to translate into English.  More or less this is what GOD says to the prophet: "Harden their heart, speak so that listening they do not hear."  It should be understood in this way: "You will only succeed in hardening their heart, you will speak, but in fact they will listen without wanting to understand."  In no case does GOD wish anyone to be mistaken or remain in ignorance.

Everything comes in parables.  Those who have not been called to meet CHRIST, or who once called have refused, live in a world "outside," where they are not without the light of GOD, but such comes to them in "parables," which means through many intermediaries and human limitations.  The Gospel, then, brings light even to one who has not taken the step, but is adapted to its capacity, since such a person lives in a world of half-truths.)

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