You Will Die In Your Sin

"Again, JESUS said to them, 'I AM going away, and though you look for ME, you will die in your sin.  Where I AM going you cannot come.'  The Jews wondered, 'Why does HE say that we can't come where HE is going?  Will HE kill HIMSELF?'

But JESUS said, 'You are from below and I AM from above; you are of this world and I AM not of this world.  That is why I told you that you will die in your sins.  And you shall die in your sins, unless you believe that I AM HE.'" - John 8:21-24 

(You will die in your sin.  Sin is not just doing something bad.  Sin is, also, to enclose ourselves in our own petty problems and rely only on human wisdom, without opening ourselves to the horizons of GOD.  This eventually leads to death, for a life closed to GOD is no real life.  Scripture divides people into two groups: those from above, who seek GOD's ways, and those from below, who seek limited human goals.  Sin is to refuse to allow oneself to be born again from above, as JESUS told Nicodemus [3:3])

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The Adulteress

"As for JESUS, HE went to the Mount of Olives.

At daybreak JESUS appeared in the temple again.  All the people came to HIM, and HE sat down and began to teach them.

Then the teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery.  They made her stand in front of everyone.  'Master,' they said, 'this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.  Now the law of Moses orders that such women be stoned to death; but YOU, what do YOU say?'  They said this to test JESUS, in order to have some charge against HIM.

JESUS bent down and started writing on the ground with HIS finger.  And as they continued to ask HIM, HE straightened up and said to them, 'Let anyone among you who has no sin be the first to throw a stone at her.'  And HE bent down, again, writing on the ground.

As a result of these words, they went away, one by one, starting with the elders, and JESUS was left alone, with the woman standing before HIM.  Then JESUS stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?'  She replied, 'No one.'  And JESUS said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go away and don't sin again.'" - John 8:1-11 

(The selection 8:1-11 is not found in most ancient manuscripts of John's Gospel.  Many think that this selection is from other sources.  Perhaps it did belong to the gospel of Luke [compare 8:2 and Luke 21:38] and was later inserted in John's text.

If JESUS showed such respect to the sinner and refused to condemn her, as humans would, was it because HE did not consider her fault grave?  No, it was because GOD uses different ways than people do to bring sinners to repentance and to purify them through suffering.

There is a big difference between telling a person his ideas or deeds are wrong or sinful, and condemning him.  We usually condemn the person; we do not make room for change and mercy.  In this Gospel episode JESUS is both demanding and merciful towards the woman.)

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I Shall Bring You Out Of Your Tombs, MY People

"'... So prophesy!  Say to them: This is what YAHWEH says: I AM going to open your tombs; I shall bring you out of your tombs, MY people; and lead you back to the land of Israel.  You will know that I AM YAHWEH, O MY people! when I open your graves and bring you out of your graves; when I put MY spirit in you, and you live.  I shall settle you in your land; and you will know that I, YAHWEH, have done what I said I would do.'" - Ezekiel 37:12-14 

(When we speak about the resurrection, we always think about the resurrection of people.  John spoke about it in 5:25-28 showing how CHRIST calls dead people to rise from sin or from death.  History shows that GOD raises HIS people not once, but several times, and even daily as can be seen in the present history of our Church.)

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Appeal To GOD's Justice

"O YAHWEH, my GOD, in YOU I take shelter; deliver me, and save me from all my pursuers, lest lions tear me to pieces, with no one to rescue me.

O YAHWEH, my GOD, if my hands are stained with guilt--if with evil, I have repaid good, if I have plundered unjustly my opponent, let the enemy hound me; let him  crush me to the ground and lay down my liver in the dust.

Arise, O YAHWEH, in YOUR wrath; rise up against the fury of my foes.  Awake, O my GOD, and judge the nations, for the time of judgment has come.

Let the nations gather around YOU; and YOU take YOUR seat high above them.

Proclaim, O YAHWEH, my righteousness; YOU see, that I am blameless.

Bring to an end the power of the wicked, but affirm the just, O righteous GOD, searcher of mind and heart.

YOU cover me as a shield, Oh GOD, for YOU protect the upright.

A righteous judge is GOD, HIS anger ever awaiting those who refuse to repent."

- Psalm 7:2-12

(We have no difficulty with the opening of this psalm but the confident claim of innocence that follows it, is frightening.  We prefer to invoke GOD's mercy rather than invite HIS strict scrutiny.  But perhaps we have no cause for misgiving.  A Christian may confidently boast that he or she is 'just' because the righteousness that is the property of GOD alone is truly and internally communicated to the Christian,  In CHRIST HIMSELF, the righteousness of GOD appears and becomes available to those who have access by faith and baptism to the power of CHRIST's resurrection.  This is the 'justness' we can boast of when we sing this psalm: 'Let those who boast, boast in the LORD.'

When we dream about a more just society, while deathly violence surrounds us, we can pray with this psalm, aware that justice will prevail and in gratitude we sing praises to the LORD.) 

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GOD Is Near To Those Who Have No Other Support But HIM

"But HIS face is set against the wicked,

to destroy their memory from the earth.

YAHWEH hears the cry of the righteous

and rescues them from all their troubles.

YAHWEH is close to the brokenhearted

and saves the distraught.

Many are the troubles of the just,

but YAHWEH delivers them from all.

HE keeps all their bones intact,

and none of them will be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked;

the enemies of the just will be doomed.

But YAHWEH will redeem the life of HIS servants;

none of those who trust in HIM will be doomed."

- Psalm 34:17-23

(There will be no ultimate defeat, not a bone broken for those who are one with the Lamb of our Passover on the Cross.

Let our experience be that of the poor and the humble.  GOD is near to those who have no other support but HIM.  When there will be no assurance, GOD will be obliged, to take charge of those to whom HE owes fidelity.) 

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Ingratitude Of Man: The Story Of Israel

"They made a calf at Horeb and worshiped the molten image.

They exchanged the glory of GOD for the image of a bull that eats grass.

They forgot their Savior GOD, who had done great things in Egypt, wonderful works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Sea of Reeds.

So HE spoke of destroying them, but Moses, HIS chosen one, stood in the breach before HIM to shield them from destruction."

- Psalm 106:19-23

(It is not only praise that the remembrance of our past calls forth: the story of the Old Testament is a story of people's sin and GOD's mercy, and 'we have sinned like our ancestors'.

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

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"Here I AM. It Was Written Of ME In The Scroll. I Will Do YOUR Will, O GOD."

"... and never, will the blood of bulls and goats take away these sins.

This is why, on entering the world, CHRIST says: YOU did not desire sacrifice and offering; YOU were not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings.  Then I said: "Here I AM.  It was written of ME in the scroll.  I will do YOUR will, O GOD."

First HE says: Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings YOU did not desire nor were YOU pleased with them--although they were required by the law.  Then HE says: Here I AM to do YOUR will.

This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new.  Now, by this will of GOD, we are sanctified, once, and for all, by the sacrifice of the body of CHRIST JESUS." - Hebrews 10:4-10 

(The sacraments we receive--and the pardon we receive in the Church--are never more than the application of 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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Our Certainty Does Not Rest On The Temple Of GOD, But On The GOD Of The Temple

"GOD is our strength and protection,

an ever-present help in affliction.

We will not fear, therefore;

though the earth be shaken

and the mountains plunge into the seas;

though its waters foam and roar;

though the mountains quake and totter.

For YAHWEH of hosts is with us,

the GOD of Jacob, our stronghold.

There is a river whose streams bring joy to the City of GOD,

the holy place, where the Most High dwells.

GOD is within, the city cannot quake,

for GOD's help is upon it at the break of day.

Kingdoms tottered, nations were in turmoil;

at the sound of HIS voice the earth melts away.

For with us is YAHWEH of hosts,

the GOD of Jacob, our refuge.

Come, see the works of YAHWEH--

the marvelous things HE has done in the world."

- Psalm 46:2-9

(It always gives Israel a feeling of security, to remember that her GOD is LORD of all the armies of heaven and earth.  The same power controls the universe and subdues hostile nations.  That is why the psalmist speaks in terms of cosmic catastrophe and is still confident.  In a tottering world, there is one unshaken Rock, the GOD of Jacob.  And meanwhile a life-giving string keeps Jerusalem, the center of this disturbed world, safe and prosperous, because where GOD is, there is peace.  One may think of the baptismal water that washes round the city we call Church.

Our certainty does not rest on the Temple of GOD, but on the GOD of the Temple.  It is good to pray with this psalm, if we want to cultivate the certainty rather than a false security.)

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A New Heaven And A New Earth

"I now create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind again.

Be glad forever and rejoice in what I create; for I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight.  I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in MY people.

The sound of distress and the voice of weeping will not be heard in it any more.

You will no longer know of dead children or of adults who do not live out a lifetime.  One who reaches a hundred years will have died a mere youth, but one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant crops and eat their fruit." - Isaiah 65:17-21 

(No one could imagine the new heaven prepared for us by GOD [Mark 12:18].  Let us rejoice that the prophet has described it in such a concrete way.  For us the happiness of the "beyond" is part of our faith; but at this time it was not yet clear neither for the Jews nor the prophet.  GOD rewarded people while on earth and they preferred not to think about the lot of those already dead, or who would die before the time of happiness had come.  GOD did everything so that HIS people would not neglect their earthly duties on the pretext of waiting for a "beyond.")

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Reject All That Is Shameful And That Can Only Be Done In The Dark

"You were once darkness, but, now, you are light, in the LORD.  Behave as children of light; the fruits of light are kindness, justice and truth, in every form.

You, yourselves, search out what pleases the LORD, and take no part in works of darkness, that are of no benefit; expose them instead.  Indeed, it is a shame even to speak of what those people do in secret, but as soon as it is exposed to the light, everything becomes clear; and what is unmasked, becomes clear through light.  Therefore it is said:

'Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, that the light of CHRIST may shine in you.'" - Ephesians 5:8-14 

(Reject all that is shameful and that can only be done in the dark.  It is true that much that was shameful has become normal today for many people: will it be so for a person who often seeks light and looks for it in the face in CHRIST?  The witness of one Christian who lives in light [and still more of a community] is enough to condemn what has been taken as normal.)

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It Is Love That I Desire, Not Sacrifice

"Come, let us return to YAHWEH.

HE who shattered us to pieces, will heal us as well;

HE has struck us down, but HE will bind up our wounds.

Two days later HE will bring us back to life;

on the third day, HE will raise us up,

and we shall live in HIS presence.

Let us strive to know YAHWEH.

HIS coming is as certain as the dawn;

HIS judgment will burst forth like the light;

HE will come to us as showers come,

like spring rain that waters the earth.

O Ephraim, what shall I do with you? 

O Judah, how shall I deal with you?

This love of yours is like morning mist,

like morning dew that quickly disappears.

This is why I smote you through the prophets,

and have slain you by the words of MY mouth.

For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice;

it is knowledge of GOD, not burnt offerings."

- Hosea 6:1-6

(People regret their errors, but they are not so sincere as to abandon their sins.  They think they will please GOD by offering a few sacrifices but are far from real love which manifests itself in obedience; they prefer to offer the costly sacrifices which they choose rather than to do what GOD asks of them.

It is love that I desire, not sacrifice.  On several occasions JESUS refuted the Pharisees by quoting this saying [see Matthew 9:13].) 

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Straight Are The Ways Of YAHWEH: The Just Walk In Them, But The Sinners Stumble

"Return to your GOD, YAHWEH, O Israel!

Your sins have caused your downfall,

Return to YAHWEH with humble words.  Say to HIM,

'Oh, YOU who show compassion to the fatherless,

forgive our debt, be appeased.

Instead of bulls and sacrifices,

accept the praise from our lips.

Assyria will not save us:

no longer shall we look for horses,

nor even again shall we say 'Our gods'

to the work of our hands.'

I will heal their disloyalty

and love them with all MY heart,

for MY anger has turned from them,

I shall be like dew to Israel,

like the lily will he blossom.

Like a cedar, he will send down his roots;

his young shoots will grow and spread.

His splendor will be like an olive tree,

his fragrance, like a Lebanon cedar.

They will dwell in MY shade again,

they will flourish like the grain,

they will blossom like a vine,

and their fame will be like Lebanon wine.

What would Ephraim do with idols,

when it is I who hear and make him prosper?

I AM like an ever-green cypress tree;

all your fruitfulness comes from ME.

Who is wise enough to grasp all this?

Who is discerning and will understand?

Straight are the ways of YAHWEH:

the just walk in them, but the sinners stumble."

- Hosea 14:2-10

(The Book of Hosea ends with these encouraging words.  After the trials, Israel will seek YAHWEH who will allow HIMSELF to be found.  Humanity's reconciliation with GOD will be an authentic marriage and it will be accompanied by a reconciliation of humanity with nature.  This was already said in 2:17-22 and will be developed in the Song of Songs which will use some images taken from Hosea.)

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Abraham Did Not Doubt Although His Body Could No Longer Give Life

"If GOD promised Abraham, or rather his descendants, that the world would belong to him, this was not because of his obeying the law, but because he was just, and a friend of GOD, through faith.  If, now, the promise is kept for those who rely on the law, then faith has no power, and nothing is left of the promise.  For it is proper of the law, to bring punishment, and it is only when there is no law, that it is possible to live without breaking the law.

For that reason, faith is the way, and all is given, by grace; and the promises of Abraham are fulfilled for all his descendants, not only for his children according to the law, but, also, for all the others, who have believed.

Abraham is the father of all of us, as it is written: I will make you the father of many nations.  He is our father, in the eyes of HIM, who gives life to the dead, and calls into existence, what does not yet exist, for this is the GOD in whom he believed.

Abraham believed, and hoped against all expectation, thus, becoming the father of many nations, as he had been told: See how many will be your descendants.  He did not doubt, although his body could no longer give life--he was about a hundred years old--and, in spite of his wife, Sarah, being unable to have children.  He did not doubt, nor did he distrust the promise of GOD, and, by being strong in faith, he gave glory to GOD: he was convinced, that, HE who had given the promise, had power to fulfill it.

This was taken into account, for him to attain righteousness.  This was taken into account: these words of Scripture are not only for him, but for us, too, because we believe in HIM, who raised JESUS, our LORD, from among the dead,..." - Romans 4:13-24 

(Faith has no power.  Here Paul points out something that many times we fail to see.  To believe in GOD who rewards good and obedience to HIS laws is already faith [Hebrews 11:6].  This faith, however, consisting in respect and awareness of justice remains very far from Abraham's confidence in GOD's promise.  Faith is found in every religion, but for Christians faith is everything.

He did not doubt although his body could no longer give life.  Abraham had a faith similar to the Christian who believes in the resurrection of CHRIST.  We also are asked to believe in a GOD who gives life and for whom nothing is impossible.)

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Beginning Of The Presentation Of The New Law

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

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

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

Law: At times this word indicates the whole religion of Israel.  The law and the prophets: was a way of indicating the whole Scriptures.

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

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

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Daniel Refuses To Do What GOD Condemns

"Azariah stood up in the midst of the fire and prayed aloud:

Blessed and worthy of praise are YOU,

O LORD GOD of our fathers!

YOUR name is glorious forever!

Justice is in all that YOU do;

YOUR acts are faultless, YOUR ways are right,

YOUR judgments always true.

YOU have indeed given a just sentence in bringing evil upon us and upon Jerusalem, the Holy City of our fathers.  YOU have acted in accordance with truth and justice, as punishment for our sins.

For we have sinned and acted perversely by deserting YOU.  We have sinned gravely in everything and have not listened to YOUR commandments.  We have not observed them, and we have not fulfilled everything YOU commanded us for our good,

All the evils YOU have brought upon us, all that YOU have done to us, YOU have done according to YOUR just sentence.

YOU have given us into the hands of our enemies, lawless people, the worst of the impious, into the hands of an unjust king, the most perverse in all the world.

And today, we cannot even open our mouths; shame and humiliation have overcome those who serve and worship YOU.

Do not abandon us forever, do not reject YOUR Covenant for YOUR name's sake.

Do not withdraw YOUR mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, YOUR friend, of Isaac, YOUR servant, of Israel, YOUR holy one, to whom YOU promised to multiply their race as the stars of heaven and the sand on the shore of the sea.

LORD, see, we have become the least among the nations in all the world, and we are humiliated because of our sins.

At this time, we no longer have a king, or prophet, or leader.  We cannot offer YOU holocausts, sacrifices, offerings, or incense.  We have no place to present to YOU the first fruits of our crops, and so obtain YOUR favor.

But at least when we present ourselves with a contrite soul and humbled spirit may we then be acceptable to YOU, more than by offerings of rams and calves as holocausts, and of thousands of fat lambs.

May this sacrifice of ours today obtain for us YOUR favor, for we know that those who trust in YOU shall never be disappointed.

And now, we serve YOU with our whole heart, we fear YOU and we seek YOUR face.  Do not leave us in our humiliation, but treat us according to YOUR kindness and YOUR great mercy.  Free us, in keeping with YOUR wonders, and give us the glory of YOUR name, LORD." - Daniel 3:25-43 

(Daniel's prayer teaches the persecuted Jews what they must say to GOD: "LORD, remember YOUR promises and forget our sins.  Have compassion on YOUR humiliated people and come to save us,"

Even though GOD works a miracle in this story, history records that many martyrs did not escape death.  According to the Letter to the Hebrews 11:39, those martyrs were not granted the gift of seeing the fulfillment of GOD's promises: GOD brought them to a better destiny after their death.  So, Daniel is a model for believers when, in certain circumstances, they find themselves alone before a hostile crowd or tyrannical power.  Daniel refuses to do what GOD condemns.)

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Why The People Of Nazareth Rejected JESUS?

"JESUS added, 'No prophet is honored in his own country.  Truly, I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens withheld rain for three years and six months and a great famine came over the whole land.  Yet, Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow of Zarephath, in the country of Sidon.  There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha, the prophet; and no one was healed except Naaman, the Syrian.'

On hearing these words, the whole assembly became indignant.  They rose up and brought HIM out of the town, to the edge of the hill on which Nazareth is built, intending to throw HIM down the cliff.  But HE passed through their midst and went HIS way." - Luke 4:24-30 

(Then Luke explains why the people of Nazareth rejected JESUS:

- First, because of their pride: a stranger easily dazzles us, but we fiercely deny that one of us could stand out or be our teacher: who is this but Joseph's Son?

- Secondly, because of their selfishness: they do not agree that GOD's benefits should be shared with others.  So JESUS reminds them that the prophets of old did not limit their favors to their compatriots alone [see 1 Kings 17:7 and 2 Kings 5].)

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Water From The Rock

"But the people thirsted for water here and grumbled against Moses, 'Why did you make us leave Egypt to have us die of thirst with our children and our cattle?'

So Moses cried to YAHWEH, 'What shall I do with the people?  They are almost ready to stone me!'  YAHWEH said to Moses, 'Go ahead of the people and take with you the elders of Israel.  Take with you the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.  I will stand there before you on the rock at Horeb.  You will strike the rock and water will flow from it and the people will drink.'  Moses did this in the presence of the elders of Israel.

The place was called Massah and Meribah because of the complaints of the Israelites, who tested YAHWEH saying, 'Is YAHWEH with us or not?'" - Exodus 17:3-7 

(GOD puts Israel to the test in the desert.  For how long will these common people be willing to follow an uncommon destiny?  How far will their faith go?  Israel also tempts GOD, that is, they ask HIM for signs because they do not have total confidence in HIM.  They demand miracles: "If YOU are with us, show it, here and now."

Scripture recalls this confrontation in the event of the water coming out of the rock.  Moses, too, was put to the test in this place; see the same event related in Numbers 20.

In later times, the Jewish tradition saw in this rock a figure of GOD, the fountain of life, who was present among HIS people; the miraculous rock which accompanied them in their wanderings [see 1 Corinthians 10:4].  GOD is the impenetrable Rock that retains its secret until it allows itself to be wounded and from its own wound life pours forth.  Let us understand that humankind, being sinful, loses real knowledge of GOD and for this reason cannot find HIM.  But GOD becomes weak in the person of JESUS who, on dying, reveals the secret of GOD's love and compassion for us.  The Gospel emphasizes that from the heart of JESUS, wounded by the lance, flowed forth blood and water, an image of the Holy Spirit [John 7:37 and 19:34].)

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GOD Is A FATHER Full Of Mercy

"Praise YAHWEH, my soul; all my being, praise HIS holy name!

Praise YAHWEH, my soul, and do not forget all HIS kindness; HE forgives all your sins and heals all your sickness; HE redeems your life from destruction and crowns you with love and compassion; HE gives fulfillment to your years, and renews your youth like the eagle's.

YAHWEH restores justice and secures the rights of the oppressed.

HE has made known HIS ways to Moses; and HIS deeds, to the people of Israel.

YAHWEH is gracious and merciful, abounding in love and slow to anger; HE will not always scold nor will HE be angry forever.  HE does not treat us according to our sins, nor does HE punish us as we deserve.

As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is HIS love for those fearing HIM; as far as the east is from the west, so far does HE remove from us our sins.

- Psalm 103:1-12

(The Christian lives joyfully in the paradox that our GOD is higher than the heavens, and yet, is close to us in love and mercy.  Our gratitude for HIS mercy merges naturally into a hymn of praise, for HIS greatness.  When we think how great HE is, it is not to think how far away HE is, but how much HE loves us to come down to us.

GOD is a FATHER full of mercy.  Is it necessary to quote a text from the New Testament?  A good one is that of the prodigal son [Luke 15:11-32] or the prayer of JESUS on the cross [Luke 23:34 or Romans 8:31-34].  They show us the depth of GOD's love, mercy and forgiveness.  Let us praise the LORD, together with everything created:  in moments of joy, as well as in hours of sadness, both when we have strength or when we live in fragility.)

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The Stone Which The Builders Rejected Has Become The Cornerstone

"Listen to another example: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard.  He put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press, built a watchtower, leased the vineyard to tenants, and then, went to a distant country.  When harvest time came, the landowner sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the harvest.  But the tenants seized his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

Again, the owner sent more servants; but they were treated in the same way.

Finally, he sent his son, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'  But when the tenants saw the son, they thought, 'This is the one who is to inherit the vineyard.  Let us kill him, and his inheritance will be ours.'  So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

Now, what will the owner of the vineyard do with the tenants when he comes?'  They said to him, 'He will bring those evil men to an evil end, and lease the vineyard to others, who will pay him  in due time.'

And JESUS replied, 'Have you never read what the Scriptures say?  The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.  This was the LORD's doing, and we marvel at it.  Therefore I say to you: the kingdom of heaven will be taken from you, and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

(Whoever falls on this stone, he will be broken to pieces; on whomsoever this stone falls, he will be grounded to dust.)'

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard these parables, they realized that JESUS was referring to them.  They would have arrested HIM, but they were afraid of the crowd, who regarded HIM as a prophet." - Matthew 21:33-46 

(In this comparison, the vine represents the kingdom of GOD.  The Jews were GOD's people and they came to consider that their own interests were those of GOD.  HE had to help them against others.  They had confidence that they would be saved and were not concerned about the fate of others who did not recognize GOD.

GOD entrusted HIS kingdom to them; in other words, HE guided them throughout the long span of their history, so that they would be an example to others.  They were to communicate their experience to others so that all would develop justice, a spirit of responsibility, a sense of community; these were the fruit GOD wanted to harvest.

GOD sent prophets to remind them of their debt: they were scarcely heard.  Finally, the only Son of GOD become human appears and the same thing will happen.  HE will be thrown out of the vineyard, in other words, rejected by HIS own people.  Which is why the kingdom of GOD will be given to others, to those believers converted from other nations and gathered in the Church of CHRIST.

Here ends the parable.  It could equally be applied to the Church today if it becomes a religion of one social class, or similar to the other religions, or if we do not find in the Church more obedience to GOD, more commitment to values that will save the world.  What would happen to Christian groups and their leaders if they began to feel they were the owners of the kingdom and its promises?)

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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 extreme 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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If They Change Their Ways, I Will Then Relent And Refrain From Doing The Harm I Had Intended To Do

"This is the word of YAHWEH that came to Jeremiah: 'Go down to the potter's house and there you will hear what I have to say.' 

So I went to the potter's house and found him working at the wheel.  But the pot he was working on was spoiled in his hands, so he reworked it all over again into another pot that suits his desire.

Meanwhile YAHWEH sent me HIS word, 'People of Israel, can I not do with you what this potter does?  As clay in the potter's hand so are you in MY hands.

At times I warn a nation or a kingdom that I will uproot or destroy it.  But if they change their ways, I will then relent and refrain from doing the harm I had intended to do.

At other times I declare that a nation or kingdom will be built up and planted but then they do what displeases ME and do not listen to ME, so I decide to reverse the good deeds that I intend to do.'

And YAHWEH added, 'Now tell the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem: YAHWEH says to you, 'Listen, I AM planning to destroy you; I AM hatching a devastating plot against you!  Turn from your evil ways; rectify your conduct and your deeds.'  But you reply: 'It's no use!  We shall follow our own plans; and each one goes on obeying his stubborn heart.'" - Jeremiah 18:1-12 

(In several parts of the Scriptures, the comparison with the potter serves to show that GOD is absolute master and directs the lives of all according to HIS will: individuals as well as nations [see Isaiah 29:16 and Romans 9:20].  Here the same comparison is used to provide another teaching which complements the first: namely that we are free.

If they change their ways, I will then relent and refrain from doing the harm I had intended to do.  At any time, one can be converted and GOD will act accordingly.  There is no plan of GOD written beforehand that we have to follow, pushed to do good or evil by some fatal destiny.  GOD is continually creating us and HE achieves HIS plan for the world while renewing each day the free relation it maintains with us.  Scripture supports these two statements, that nothing escapes GOD and that we are free.)

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What Do I Care For Your Endless Sacrifices?

"Hear the warning of YAHWEH rulers of Sodom.

Listen to the word of GOD, people of Gomorrah.

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

I am fed up with your burnt offerings, and the fat of your bulls.

The blood of fatlings, and lambs and he-goats

I abhor, when you come before ME and trample on MY courts.

Who ask you to visit ME?

I AM fed up with your oblations.

I grow sick with your incense.

Your New Moons, Sabbaths and meetings, evil with holy assemblies,

I can no longer bear.

I hate your New Moons and appointed feasts.

They burden ME.

When you stretch out your hands I will close MY eyes; 

the more you pray, the more I refuse to listen, for your hands are bloody.

Wash and make yourselves clean.

Remove from your sight the evil of your deeds.

Put an end to your wickedness and learn to do good.

Seek justice and keep in line the abusers;

give the fatherless their rights and defend the widow.'

'Come,' says YAHWEH, 'let us reason together.

Though your sins be like scarlet, they will be white as snow;

though they be as crimson red, they will be white as wool.

If you will obey ME, you will eat the goods of the earth;

but if you resist and rebel, the sword will eat you instead.'

Truly YAHWEH has spoken." 

- Isaiah 1:10-20

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

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

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

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

"Be merciful, just as your FATHER is merciful.

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

(Perfection for us consists in imitating the FATHER.  HE is GOD by being compassionate; HIS compassion is HIS ability to be touched by the poverty and the anguish of HIS creatures, and to lavish upon them what HE can give.  The attitude of the person who judges his brothers and sisters is the very opposite of mercy.

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

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The Transfiguration Of JESUS

"Six days later, JESUS took with HIM Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain, where they were alone.  JESUS' appearance was changed before them: HIS face shone like the sun, and HIS clothes became white as snow.  Then suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with JESUS.

Peter spoke up and said to JESUS, 'Master, it is good for us to be here.  If YOU wish, I will make three tents: one for YOU, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'

Peter was still speaking, when a bright cloud covered them with its shadow; and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is MY Son, the Beloved, MY Chosen One.  Listen to HIM.'

On hearing the voice, the disciples fell to the ground, full of fear.  But JESUS came, touched them, and said, 'Stand up, do not be afraid!'  When they raised their eyes, they no longer saw anyone except JESUS.  And as they came down the mountain, JESUS commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man be raised from the dead." - Matthew 17:1-9 

(This manifestation of the transfiguration of JESUS is in fact one of the most important in the New Testament.  In the liturgy of oriental Churches, the feast of the Transfiguration holds a place of supreme importance.

Though not the summit, it is in fact the summary of all revelation.  Moses and Elijah, the spokesmen of the Law and the Prophets [in a word, of all the Old Testament] present the CHRIST of the Gospel to the apostles Peter, James and John, those who will be responsible for the preaching of the Gospel.

As Moses and Elijah were led by GOD to the Holy Mountain, to witness HIS glory [Exodus 33:18; 1 Kings 19:9], so the apostles are led apart by JESUS; they too climb the mountain and there JESUS manifests HIS glory to them.

JESUS had just announced HIS passion and HIS death: the day had come when the FATHER confirmed HIS end that was very near [Luke 9:31] and gave HIM a foretaste of HIS resurrection.  Moses and Elijah were the witnesses, they who, in a certain way, escaped the corruption of death [Deuteronomy 34:6; 2 Kings 2:11].

A cloud formed covering them in a shadow.  The cloud mentioned here is that which, in several episodes of the Scriptures, both indicates and hides the mysterious presence of GOD [Exodus 19 and 1 Kings 8:10].

Listen to HIM.  The apostles have been accompanying JESUS for more than a year, with misunderstanding increasing between HIM and the religious authorities of the people of GOD.  For them a question could arise: Is not JESUS mistaken?  Are not the certitudes of GOD's people on the side of the priests and scribes?

The FATHER HIMSELF intervenes, just as HE had done in the past for John the Baptist: Listen to HIM!  "Listen to HIM for HE is the Word made flesh" [John 1:14; Hebrews 1:1].  HE is the Prophet, and all the others speak only for HIM [Deuteronomy 18:17].

When JESUS worked miracles for the sick, and over the forces of nature, HE showed that the present order of the world is not permanent.  Now the curtains are partially opened: would that the apostles understood that the Son of Man, as JESUS calls HIMSELF, is close to HIS resurrection.  In a little while HIS fellow citizens will hang HIM on a cross.  In a little while, too, the FATHER will give HIM the glory that awaits HIM.  The shining cloud, the dazzling white clothes are external signs that indicate something of the mystery of JESUS: the day HE rises from among the dead, HIS human nature will be transformed and extended by divine Energies, so that HE may fill everything in everyone.)

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Love Of Enemies

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

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

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

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

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

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If The Sinner Turns From His Sin, He Will Live

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

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

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

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

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

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Whatever You Ask In Prayer

"Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.  For everyone who asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Would any of you give a stone to your son, when he asks for bread?  Or give him a snake, when he asks for a fish?  However bad you may be, you know how to give good things to your children.  How much more, then, will your FATHER in heaven give good things to those who ask HIM!

So, do to others whatever you would that others do to you: there, you have the law and the prophets." - Matthew 7:7-12 

(JESUS invites us to ask with faith and perseverance, until GOD assures us that our prayer has been heard or else helps us understand that what we asked for was not good for us, nor was it the will of GOD.)

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People Of The Present Time Are Troubled People

"As the crowd increased, JESUS spoke the following words: 'People of the present time are troubled people.  They ask for a sign, but no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.  As Jonah became a sign for the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be a sign for this generation.  The Queen of the South will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and here, there is greater than Solomon.  The people of Nineveh will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times, for Jonah's preaching made them turn from their sins, and here, there is greater than Jonah.'" - Luke 11:29-32 

(The Ninevites, being sinners, received no other divine sign than the coming of Jonah, who invited them to repent.  JESUS' contemporaries believe they are "good" because they belong to the people of GOD, and they do not realize that the hour has come for them to repent as well.

The people of Nineveh will rise up with these people and accuse them.  JESUS again uses the traditional image of collective judgment where each one excuses himself by pointing out that others have done worse.  This image retains a deep truth: all that GOD has given to each one of us should produce fruits for all humanity.)

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MY Word That Goes Forth Out Of MY Mouth

"As the rain and the snow come down

from the heavens and do not return

till they have watered the earth,

making it yield seed for the sower

and food for others to eat,

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

it will not return to ME idle,

but it shall accomplish MY will,

the purpose for which it has been sent."

- Isaiah 55:10-11

(Here the word of GOD appears personified.  It is already much more than the words spoken by the prophets.  This word which comes from the FATHER and returns to HIM will be presented by the apostle John in the first page of his Gospel: it is CHRIST.  See also in 45:8.)

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The Law Caused Sin To Increase

"The law itself, introduced later on, caused sin to increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, and, as sin caused death to reign, so grace will reign, in its own time, and, after making us just, and friends of GOD, will bring us to eternal life, through JESUS CHRIST, our LORD." - Romans 5:20-21 

(It was an error to see the law as the great gift of GOD [yet the Old Testament said it!].  Let us say rather that because of the law the Jews discovered much sooner than other nations how great was their need to be saved.  Its first result was to increase sin, because from then on they knew what their duty was and did not do it.)

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How Much More Will There Be A Reign Of Life For Those Who Receive Grace

"If death reigned through the disobedience of one and only one person, how much more, will there be a reign of life, for those who receive the grace, and the gift of true righteousness, through the one person, JESUS CHRIST.

Just as one transgression brought sentence of death to all, so, too, one man's good act has brought justification and light to all; and, as the disobedience of only one, made all sinners, so the obedience of one person, allowed all to be made just and holy." - Romans 5:17-19 

(CHRIST embraces all of us, gathers us in HIS sacrifice, and becomes the new head of humankind.  Perhaps Paul is thinking at times of the salvation of only those who have listened to the Gospel, believed in CHRIST and entered the Church.  Note however that he stresses the fact that CHRIST saves a world of sinners.  CHRIST is the new Adam and the head not only of believers, but of humankind as well.  Humans continue today to be drawn by the flood of evil originated by Adam.  Humankind is also saved as a whole, as long as people try to lift up their brothers and sisters.  He who does not share in this task loses salvation, because what GOD wants is not "my" salvation but the salvation of Adam.)

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