The Power Of Spirit, The Power Of Prayer, The Power Of Suffering

 "When I came to reveal to you the mystery of GOD's plan. I did not count on eloquence or on a show of learning.  I was determined, not to know anything among you, but JESUS, the Messiah, and a crucified Messiah.  I, myself, came; weak, fearful and trembling; my words, and preaching, were not brilliant, or clever to win listeners.  It was, rather, a demonstration of spirit and power, so, that, your faith might be a matter, not of human wisdom, but of GOD's power." - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 

(I myself came weak, fearful and trembling.  Paul indeed must have felt weak when for the first time he was bringing the Gospel to a brilliant Greek city well used to slavery and immorality.  We experience the same feelings towards the evangelization of the modern world; preparation is important but what is it to prepare ourselves?  Paul invites us to accept the mystery of the cross and to find there the strength of the Spirit.

It was a demonstration of spirit and power.  The power of spirit, the power of prayer, the power of suffering.  The Spirit is poured out after JESUS has suffered and died.  With HIM, we can expect everything.  Healings and miracles are worthless [and the devil takes advantage of them] unless they affirm faith in JESUS crucified, acting through the humble, and present in the poor.)

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The Bearer Of The Truth

 "YAHWEH, YOU have seduced me 

and I let myself be seduced.

YOU have taken me by force and prevailed.

I have become a laughingstock all day long;

they all make fun of me,

for every time I speak

I have to shout, 'Violence!  Devastation!'

YAHWEH's word has brought me

insult and derision all day long.

So I decided to forget about HIM

and speak no more in HIS name.

But HIS word in my heart becomes like a fire

burning deep within my bones.

I try so hard to hold it in,

but I cannot do it."

- Jeremiah 20:7-9

(This "confession" recalls the one in Chapter 15.  The Bearer of the Truth is rejected and mocked simply because he speaks by virtue of a personal mission which the people do not accept.  Let us not forget that Jeremiah lived six centuries before JESUS, long before there was any thought of the beyond, so we will have a better understanding of why he cries for divine justice.

YOU have taken me by force: is there anything more understandable if GOD is Love?

But HIS word is like a fire in my bones.  What is really amazing is the irresistible power of GOD's word.  It is more difficult to resist it than to face human opposition.  Paul will declare, in a fairly similar way, that he cannot evade the responsibility of preaching the Gospel [1 Corinthians 9:16].  This text forces us to revise and deepen the very simplistic ideas we have concerning our freedom: being faithful to the most demanding mission is also to be free.)

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Be Not Scared Of Them Or I Will Scare You In Their Presence

 "But you, get ready for action; stand up and say to them all that I command you.  But not scared of them or I will scare you in their presence!

See, I will make you a fortified city, a pillar of iron with walls of bronze, against all the nations, against the kings and princes of Judah, against the priests and the people of the land.  They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I AM with you to rescue you--it is YAHWEH who speaks." - Jeremiah 1:17-19 

(Be not scared of them or I will scare you in their presence.  This is an amazing revelation of the demanding love of YAHWEH.  HE has decided to make this lad HIS chosen one and forces him to overcome and forget his human weakness.

I AM with you to rescue you.  YAHWEH repeats what HE said to Moses when HE called him [Exodus 3:12] and what HE will also say to Paul [Acts 26:17].  Moreover, Jeremiah is assured that the LORD destined him for this mission, of which he had never thought, and which frightens him: Even before I formed you in the womb I have known you; even before you were born I had set you apart [verse 5].  Later, the same will be said of John the Baptist [Luke 1:15], of CHRIST [see Isaiah 49] and of Paul [Galatians 1:15].

These words spoken to Jeremiah are, somehow, also meant for us: we are not the product of chance.  In Ephesians 1, Paul praises this foreknowledge of GOD who called us from eternity to know CHRIST and to have a share in the divine riches.  But  what is said to Jeremiah urges us to reflect that GOD, in HIS eternal designs, clearly sees--next to CHRIST-- those who are given a more transcendental mission.  It would be difficult for them to escape GOD's irresistible call.

GOD seems to force Jeremiah's freedom, but that is but an impression of ours because we have not experienced the real freedom, and words rarely fully express reality.)

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The "Foolishness" of GOD Is Wiser Than Humans, And The "Weakness" Of GOD Is Stronger Than Humans

 "For CHRIST did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim HIS gospel.  And not with beautiful words!  That would be like getting rid of the cross of CHRIST.  The language of the cross remains nonsense for those who are lost.  Yet for us who are saved, it is the power of GOD, as Scripture says: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and make fail the foresight of the foresighted.  Masters of human wisdom, educated people, philosophers, you have no reply!  And the wisdom of this world?  GOD let it fail.

At first, GOD spoke the language of wisdom, and the world did not know GOD through wisdom.  Then GOD thought of saving the believers, through the foolishness that we preach.

The Jews ask for miracles and the Greeks for a higher knowledge, while we proclaim a crucified Messiah.  For the Jews, what a great scandal!  And for the Greeks, what nonsense!  But HE is CHRIST, the power of GOD, and the wisdom of GOD, for those called by GOD among both Jews and Greeks.

In reality, the "foolishness" of GOD is wiser than humans, and the "weakness" of GOD is stronger than humans." - 1 Corinthians 1:17-25 

(CHRIST did not send me to baptize.  When the Church is fully absorbed in its own problems, Paul reminds them of their mission: Is our first concern to preach the Gospel, or to dispute for the posts of guides and ministers of the community?

Even if these Christians in Corinth are not great "intellectuals," as good Greeks that they are, they enjoy fine discourses and want to be seen as cultured persons.  At this time throughout the Roman Empire people are in search of esoteric doctrines and some people in the Church see in faith the means of acceding to a higher knowledge.  So Paul will tell them that all Christian wisdom is contained in the cross.

That would be like getting rid of the cross of CHRIST.  The cross should be present in the message we preach and in the way we preach it.

Moreover in evangelization it will always cost us to work with poor resources in a world subject to media.  We need to count on the grace of GOD because we are weak and without titles of prestige.  It will cost us to remind our communities of the poverty of JESUS and to be criticized by those who are well off in the world.)

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The Coming Of The Son Of Man

 "But, as for the Day and that Hour, no one knows when it will come, not even the angels of GOD, nor the Son, but only the FATHER.

At the coming of the Son of Man, it will be just as it was in the time of Noah.  In those days before the Flood, people were eating and drinking, and marrying, until that day when Noah went into the ark.  Yet, they did not know what would happen, until the flood came and swept them away.  So will it be, at the coming of the Son of Man: of two men in the field, one will be taken and the other left; of two women grinding wheat together at the mill, one will be taken and the other left." - Matthew 24:36-41 

(The comparison of the two men [or women] working together means that, upon the coming of JESUS, the Judgment will take place, and there might be a separation within the same social or family group: some headed towards the LORD, others to be condemned.

Why is it that the Gospel draws a parallel with the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of time?  Simple, because Matthew addresses Christians who have just experienced the first event and are awaiting the second.  It is the moment when there emerges the Christian vision of the history of these two great stages.

First, we have the time of the Old Testament.  GOD taught the people of Israel and nurtured their development in order that their history and experiences be enlightening for other people.  At the end of this period, JESUS came during a national crisis to give them the full knowledge of their mission as a people of GOD.  A minority believed, but the nation did not convert and crashed.

The message is then presented to other nations, and thus began the time of the New Testament.  The Church teaches all people who must mature as nations and Christians.  Scripture implies that New Testament times are leading up to a universal crisis where the Gospel will more than ever be a reality: "Believe or you will die."  It is then that both the New Testament and history will end.)

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How Could JESUS Call Such Teachers Of The Law And Pharisees Hypocrites When They Were So Versed In The Knowledge Of The Scriptures?

 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You are like whitewashed tombs, beautiful in appearance; but, inside, there are only dead bones and uncleanliness.  In the same way, you appear religious to others, but you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness within.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You build tombs for the prophets, and decorate the monuments of the righteous.  You say: Had we lived in the time of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the blood of the prophets.  So, you, yourselves, confess to be the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.

And now, finish off what your ancestors began!" - Matthew 23:27-32 

(How could JESUS call such men hypocrites when they were so versed in the knowledge of the Scriptures?

In the language of JESUS, the word "hypocrite" equally denotes what is superficial as well as the one who makes light of what is of GOD.  Obviously not all the Pharisees were hypocrites; but JESUS denounces a frequent deformation in the religious elite.  HE  calls us to be wary of those institutions born of possessors of wealth and culture who aspire to direct others--and the Church--without having learned from the poor or practiced true humility.

The mystery of GOD is so deep that no one can present himself as HIS lieutenant.  The Pharisees trained, taught and gained many followers in the faith but their fasts and alms were already rewarded.  Pride and love of money were given their place.)

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Persevere In Faith

 "But we have to give thanks for you, at all times, dear brothers and sisters in the LORD.  For GOD chose you, from the beginning, to be saved, through true faith, and to be made holy by the Spirit.  To this end HE called you, through the gospel we preach, for HE willed you, to share the glory of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD.

Because of that, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions that we taught you, by word or by letter.  May CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, who has loved us, may GOD our FATHER, who, in HIS mercy, gives us everlasting comfort and true hope, strengthen you.  May HE encourage your hearts and make you steadfast in every good work and word." - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 

(Note the word traditions used by Paul.  The traditions are the customs, rites and teachings that people pass down from one generation to another.  They are also the usages and lifestyles which are adopted upon joining a community.  JESUS condemned the exaggerated importance of the Pharisees gave to their own traditions, to the point that they prevailed over GOD's commandments [see Mark 7:5].  Yet JESUS HIMSELF, while HE was with HIS apostles, taught them a certain way of praying, of doing, and of living in fellowship.  It is in this sense that Paul here speaks of traditions.)

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The New Jerusalem

 "Then, one of the seven angels came to me, one of those with the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues.  And he said, 'Come, I am going to show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.'  He took me up, in a spiritual vision, to a very high mountain, and he showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven, from GOD.  It shines with the glory of GOD, like a precious jewel, with the color of crystal-clear jasper.

Its wall, large and high, has twelve gates; stationed at them are twelve angels.  Over the gates are written the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.  Three gates face the east; three gates face the north; three gates face the south and three face the west.  The city wall stands on twelve foundation stones, on which are written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." - Revelation 21:9-14 

(Second vision of the heavenly Jerusalem: GOD's temple.  There are two images at the heart of the Scriptures: the wedding banquet and the temple.  After Jerusalem, the new bride, it is now the holy city, GOD's temple.  People no longer need a temple when GOD is permanently present among them: reality replaces shadows.)

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Thanksgiving To A Faithful GOD

 "I thank YOU, O YAHWEH, with all my heart,

for YOU have heard the word of my lips.

I sing YOUR praise in the presence of the gods.

I bow down YOUR holy temple 

and give thanks to YOUR name,

for YOUR love and faithfulness,

for YOUR word, which exceeds everything.

YOU answered me when I called;

YOU restored my soul and made me strong.

O YAHWEH, all kings on earth will give you praise,

when they have heard YOUR words.

They will celebrate the ways of YAHWEH,

'great is the glory of YAHWEH!'

From above, YAHWEH watches over the lowly;

from afar, HE marks down the haughty.

If I walk in the midst of trouble,

YOU give me life.

With outstretched arm,

YOU save me from the wrath of my foes,

with YOUR right hand, YOU deliver me.

How YAHWEH cares for me!

YOUR kindness, O YAHWEH, endures forever.

Forsake not the work of YOUR hands."

- Psalm 138:1-8

(The great GOD, LORD of the world and of angels, cares for us, constantly surpassing what we could expect from HIM.

The one who prays does not know how his own future will be.  He is certain, however, that if the dangers are great, the hand of GOD is saving and HIS love is eternal.  GOD cannot forsake the work of HIS hands.  Thanksgiving has a future.

The psalmist thanks GOD repeatedly for answering his prayers.  Indeed, our prayers will be answered because JESUS told us so.  JESUS even taught us how to pray [Matthew 6:9], and told us to ask and we will receive [Matthew 7:7] and whatever we ask in prayer full of faith, you will receive [Matthew 21:22].)

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To Us A Child Is Born

 "For a child is born to us,

a son is given us;

the royal ornament is laid upon HIS shoulder,

and HIS name is proclaimed:

'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty GOD,

Everlasting FATHER, Prince of Peace.'

To the increase of HIS powerful rule

in peace, there will be no end.

Vast will be HIS dominion,

HE will reign on David's throne

and over all HIS kingdom,

to establish and uphold it

with justice and righteousness

from this time onward and forever."

- Isaiah 9:5-6

(A child is born: in growing up HE will lose nothing of HIS child-like qualities, but will do away with the pride of nations.

Without doubt this child is the one named Emmanuel in 7:15.  Here again, HIS name signifies what GOD will be revealed as "Wonderful Counselor" which means HE whose "counsel," whose plans are marvelously wise.  GOD "FATHER" as HE was for David, "Mighty GOD" as HE was for Jacob.  The "Prince of Peace," HE is still GOD but HE will be so in giving the victory to HIS king, HIS "Messiah," as HE did for David.

As was already the case for Emmanuel, GOD-with-us, these appellations which seem at first said for GOD could be equally applied to the future king who will be "HIS" king, which is usually expressed with the word Messiah,  In any case it prophetically announces what in fact would happen: GOD HIMSELF will come in the person of JESUS.)

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Redemption

 "Let the redeemed of YAHWEH say this, those HE redeemed from the hand of the foe, those HE gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.

Some strayed in the wilderness and were lost, far away from the city.

They wandered about hungry and thirsty, their lives ebbing away.

Then they cried to YAHWEH in anguish, and HE rescued them from their distress.

HE led them by a straight way, to a city where they could dwell.

Let them thank YAHWEH for HIS love and wondrous deeds for humans.

HE quenches the thirst of the soul and satisfies the hunger of the heart."

- Psalm 107:2-9

(What we call 'redemption' comes to us in two stages--one already achieved but the other not yet, not till the end of our lives.  We are a pilgrim Church, and we still have to pass through the desert.  But the first stage of salvation is the guarantee of the second, and we pass through all this confident of GOD's protection.

The Gospels present situations similar to those described by the psalm: the hungry people fed by JESUS [cf. Mark 6:30-46]; the chained and manacled person possessed by the devil in the sepulcher is liberated by JESUS [cf. Mark 5:1-20]; various sorts of sicknesses are cured [cf. Mark 6:53-56 and 7:24-37; the storm is calmed [cf. Mark 4:35-41]... Whoever prays with this psalm will acquire wisdom, nourished by memory and unceasing meditation on the love that GOD shows us throughout history and life.)

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I Shall Remove Your Heart Of Stone And Give You A Heart Of Flesh

 "I will make known the holiness of MY great name, profaned among the nations because of you; and they will know that I AM YAHWEH, when I show them MY holiness among you.

For I will gather you from all the nations and bring you back to your own land.  Then I shall pour pure water over you and you shall be made clean--cleansed from the defilement of all your idols.  I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.  I shall remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  I shall put my spirit within you and move you to follow MY decrees and keep MY laws.  You will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you shall be MY people and I will be your GOD." - Ezekiel 36:23-28 

(I shall give you a new heart.  Many think it impossible to change the human heart.  Because some have no hope of changing human beings, they accept people as they are, preferring to overlook mediocrity and sinfulness.  Others become bitter about everything and everyone.

The new heart is precisely what GOD offers in this text, quite similar to Jeremiah 31:31 and Ezekiel 11:19.  The experience of the Jewish people showed that human beings are weak and unable to follow the commandments.  Yet if an individual knows GOD personally, to the point of sharing intimately in GOD's life, is there no possibility of change and renewal?

This is the meaning of the word conversion.  To be converted means to come back to GOD after having been away from HIM.  First, there is a change that takes place in the heart, that is to say, in the innermost part of the human being.  Then, there is a change of mentality and attitude.  In fact, it is GOD who converts people, by loving them, attracting them and giving them HIS Spirit, which transforms them into new beings.  I will take away your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  This will be the new Covenant.)

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The Shepherds Of Israel

 "The word of YAHWEH came to me in these terms, 'Son of man, speak on MY behalf against the shepherds of Israel!  Say to the shepherds on MY behalf: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who feed themselves!  Should not the shepherds feed the flock?  But you feed on milk and are clothed in wool, and you slaughter the fattest sheep.  You have not taken care of the flock; you have not strengthened the weak, cared for the sick or bandaged the injured.  You have not gone after the sheep that strayed or searched for the one that was lost.  Instead, you ruled them harshly and were their oppressors.  They have scattered, for want of a shepherd, and became prey of wild animals.  MY sheep wander over the mountains and high hills; and when they are scattered throughout the land, no one bothers about them or looks for them.

Hear, then, shepherds, what YAHWEH says: As I live--word of YAHWEH,--because MY sheep have been the prey of wild animals and become their food for want of shepherds, because the shepherds have not cared for MY sheep, because, you, shepherds have not bothered about them, but fed yourselves, and not the flocks, because of that, hear the word of YAHWEH.  This is what YAHWEH says: I will ask an account of the shepherds and reclaim MY sheep from them.  No longer shall they tend MY flock; nor shall there be shepherds who feed themselves.  I shall save the flock from their mouths; and no longer shall it be food for them.

Indeed YAHWEH says this: I, MYSELF, will care for MY sheep and watch over them.) - Ezekiel 34:1-11 

(The LORD YAHWEH gathers HIS scattered flock.

There are two parts to this long comparison in which YAHWEH promises to become the shepherd for HIS flock.

- a revolution,

- a judgment.

Speak on MY behalf against the shepherds of Israel.  Here YAHWEH announces a radical change in the social life of Israel: HE will replace all the shepherds.  The expression "shepherd" applies to all civil authorities, and thus includes the king, the magistrates and the judges.  It does not include the priests and the prophets.  This is contrary to modern usage, since for us the word "pastor" [shepherd] refers only to the spiritual leaders of a community.

Should not the shepherds feed the flock.  The flock does not belong to the shepherds.  YAHWEH condemns the leaders of HIS people who find it normal to enjoy power and wealth without first seeing themselves as the servants of the people.  We can easily imagine the misery of the Jewish people in the days about which Ezekiel writes, immediately after the catastrophe in Jerusalem:

- weak, hungry, sick sheep;

- stray sheep: wandering without home or work, isolated, alienated by the lies of their rulers;

- they become the prey of all the nations, they were taken into exile, or left their homeland looking for work.)

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The Model Of The Religious, Apostolic Vocation

 "JESUS said to HIS disciples, 'Truly I say to you: it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Yes, believe ME: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for the one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.'

On hearing this, the disciples were astonished and said, 'Who, then, can be saved?'  JESUS looked at them and answered, 'For human beings it is impossible, but for GOD all things are possible.'

Then Peter spoke up and said, 'You see, we have given up everything to follow YOU.  What, then, will there be for us?'

JESUS answered, 'You who have followed ME, listen to MY words: on the Day of Renewal, when the Son of Man sits on HIS throne in glory, you, also, will sit, on twelve thrones, to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.  As for those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or property for MY Name's sake, they will receive a hundredfold, and be given eternal life.  Many who are now first, will be last, and many who are now last, will be first.'" - Matthew 19:23-30 

(Finally there is the question that bothers us most for all that touches money affects us deeply, and it is there that the Gospel shocks us: it is easier for a camel...

The call of the rich young man has always been considered the model of the religious, apostolic vocation.  Without effective, voluntary poverty a person will never attain union with GOD that is the goal of the true religious.  Besides, as long as the apostles share the life of comfortable people, they will be able to be their friends but they will never have deep conversions nor will they during this time reach the immense world of the poor.

The problem of poverty is also at the heart of the family in today's world: for the greater number, believers or non-believers, the joys and blessings that GOD showers on a large family will only be given to those who have ceased to evaluate everything according to the criteria of money and security.)

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GOD's Passionate And Faithful Love For HIS People Is The Model For Married Love

 "The word of YAHWEH came to me in these terms, 'Son of man, I AM about to suddenly take from you the delight of your eyes, but you are not to lament or weep or let your tears flow.  Groan in silence and do not mourn for the dead; wear your turban, put on your sandals, do not cover your beard or eat the customary food of mourners.'

I spoke to the people in the morning and my wife died that evening.  The next morning I did as I had been commanded.  Then the people said to me: 'Explain to us the meaning of your actions.'  I said to them, 'The word of YAHWEH came to me in these terms: 'Say to Israel: I AM about to profane MY Sanctuary, your pride, the delight of your eyes for which you long.  The sons and daughters you left behind will also fall by the sword, but you will do as I have done: you will not cover your beard or eat the customary food of mourners; you will keep your turbans on your heads and sandals on your feet.  You will not lament or weep.  Instead, because of your sin, you will waste away and groan among yourselves.  Ezekiel will be a sign for you.  Do as he did; and when this happens, you will know that I AM YAHWEH.'" - Ezekiel 24:15-24 

(Once again, the prophet uses his own situation to announce the fall of Jerusalem which will lose its wealth and its inhabitants.

The prophet's personal trial in his marriage can be compared to similar occurrences of other prophets.

The prophets discover that GOD is the true Spouse.  GOD'S passionate and faithful love for HIS people is the model for married love.  Since prophets become the mouthpiece and the representative of GOD, all that they do becomes a sign.  Thus, they cannot seek a happy marriage as long as Israel, YAHWEH's bride, turns her back on her GOD.

And so, before Jeremiah, another prophet, Hosea, only knew the suffering of the betrayed husband in his home and he had to constantly forgive his adulterous wife [Hosea 3:1].  Ezekiel sees his wife die suddenly.  Jeremiah will have neither wife nor children; it is not fitting for him to marry at the very time the first covenant is being destroyed.  Later, neither John the Baptist, nor the apostle John, nor Paul will marry: this will become a sign.  Thus, they will help us understand that they only live for the coming marriage of CHRIST and HIS glorified Church, of which marriage is only an image.)

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GOD Calls Everyone

 "This is what YAHWEH says: Maintain what is right and do what is just, for MY salvation is close at hand, MY justice is soon to come.

Blessed is the mortal who does these things, and perseveres in them, who does not defile the Sabbath and who refrains from evil.

Let no foreigner say, 'Surely YAHWEH will exclude me from HIS people.'  Neither let the castrated man say, 'I have become a mere dry tree.'

For this is what YAHWEH says: To the castrated men who keep MY Sabbaths, who choose to do what pleases ME and remain faithful to MY Covenant:

I will give them in MY house and within its walls, a memorial and a name that are worth more than sons and daughters; I will give them a name that will never die away or be forgotten.

YAHWEH says to the foreigners who join HIM, serving HIM and loving HIS name, keeping HIS Sabbath unprofaned and remaining faithful to HIS Covenant:

I will bring them to MY holy mountain and give them joy in MY house of prayer.  I will accept on MY altar their burnt offerings and sacrifices, for MY house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations." - Isaiah 56:1-7 

(The Jewish law---reflecting the thinking of the times--excluded foreigners in certain circumstances, as well as eunuchs, [castrated men] from their religious assemblies.

The prophet reveals that such exclusion is not endorsed by GOD.)

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CHRIST Gave Us The Way

 "But no, CHRIST has been raised from the dead, and HE comes before all those who have fallen asleep.  A human being brought death; a human being also brings resurrection of the dead.  For, as in Adam all die, so, in CHRIST, all will be made alive.  However, each one in his own time: first CHRIST, then CHRIST's people, when HE comes.

Then, the end will come, when CHRIST delivers the kingdom to GOD the FATHER, after having destroyed every rule, authority and power.  For HE must reign and put all enemies under HIS feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed will be death." - 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 

(Whoever shares the faith of the apostles has accepted Resurrection as a fact.  Paul immediately goes to the consequences for us: shall we also enter another life?

For as in Adam all die.  The myths of various religions in the past projected onto some mysterious personage our own condition, but were unable to do more than give a meaning to life.  They could not change it.  Faith instead tells us that the Son-of-GOD-made human has lived among us and lived for all of us.  Let us leave aside our individualistic vision in which each one sees no more than his own destiny: for GOD the entire venture of creation and salvation is that of Adam, one and multiple at the same time.  JESUS who is HIMSELF Man has lived it fully for us all.

Then the end will come, when CHRIST delivers the kingdom to GOD the FATHER.  Here again, let us leave aside simplistic images.  Let us remember that there is only one GOD.  Here, the Son is the word of GOD made flesh who has taken on his shoulders the whole history of humankind.  HE who is eternally returning to the FATHER from whom HE is born brings to the eternity of GOD all creation.  There will not be a re-beginning of history.  GOD will be all in all, we will receive GOD from GOD and we will have all, finally becoming ourselves.  That, surely, surpasses all we could have imagined, but Paul adds: The last enemy to be destroyed will be death.  John will say the same in Revelation [21:4].)

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JESUS Speaks About Divorce

 "Some Pharisees approached HIM.  They wanted to test HIM and asked, 'Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason he wants?'

JESUS replied, 'Have you not read, that, in the beginning, the Creator made them male and female?  And the Creator said: Therefore, a man shall leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body.  So, they are no longer two, but one body.  Let no one separate what GOD has joined.'

They asked HIM, 'Then why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?'  JESUS replied, 'Moses knew the hardness of your hearts, so he allowed you to divorce your wives; but it was not so in the beginning.  Therefore, I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, unless it be for immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.'

The disciples said, 'If that is the condition of a married man, it is better not to marry.'  JESUS said to them, 'Not everybody can accept what you have just said, but only those who have received this gift.  There are eunuchs born so, from their mother's womb.  Some have been made that way by others.  But there are some who have given up the possibility of marriage, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.  Let the one who can accept it, accept it.'" - Matthew 19:3-12 

(Every human society has had its laws on marriage, and it was the same for Israel.  There was then a law on divorce, in harmony with the difference of status accorded by society to man and woman; it was in Scripture [Deuteronomy 24:1].  JESUS does not want to be involved in the discussions of teachers and interpreters of the law: HE opposes this law with another word of Scripture which presents GOD's point of view regarding human attitudes which HE tolerates.

In doing this JESUS shows how HE brings the Law to "perfection" [5:17], but clearly this "Law of GOD" can only be heard by those who have received the Spirit from JESUS, a fact that is emphasized in the reaction of the disciples.  

Better not to marry.  JESUS does not apologize for these demanding words.  HE only proposes something more difficult to understand.  HE praises those to whom have been given to choose celibacy as a way of life for love of the kingdom.)

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The Parable Of The Exile

 "This word of YAHWEH came to me, 'Son of man, you live in the midst of a house of rebels: they have eyes for seeing but do not see; they have ears for hearing but do not hear; for they are a house of rebels.'" - Ezekiel 12:1-2 

(At nightfall in Babylon, people gather at the doors of their houses.  Ezekiel appears.  Without saying a word he behaves as a solitary actor in a performance which captures the people's attention.  When his act is over, he leaves without giving any explanation.  The next day he reveals the meaning of this parable in action.

By this symbolic act, the prophet announces the deportation of the residents of Jerusalem and of their king.)

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Living Together In The Church

 "If your brother has sinned against you, go and point out the fault to him, when the two of you are alone; and if he listens to you, you have won back your brother.  If he doesn't listen to you, take with you one or two others, so that the case may be decided by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembled Church.  But if he does not listen to the Church, then regard him as a pagan, or a tax collector.

I say to you: whatever you bind on earth, heaven will keep bound; and whatever you unbind on earth, heaven will keep unbound.

In like manner, I say to you, if, on earth, two of you agree in asking for anything, it will be granted to you by MY heavenly FATHER; for where two or three are gathered in MY name, I AM there, among them." - Matthew 18:15-20 

(If your brother has sinned...JESUS had told Peter before: Whatever you tie on earth will be tied in Heaven.  HE declares it now for the whole Church.  The believers must attempt to settle their suits among themselves, knowing that CHRIST is among them, as signified in HIS name Emmanuel: GOD-with-us.

The text of 18:15 is doubtful.  Perhaps it was written if your brother or sister has sinned, go... in which case it would refer to the effort of the Christian community to correct one who has gone astray.)

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Ezekiel Receives His Mission

 "Listen then, son of man, to what I say, and don't be a rebel among rebels.  Open your mouth and take in what I'M about to say.

I looked and saw a hand stretched out in front of me holding a scroll.  HE unrolled it before me; on both sides were written lamentations, groaning and woes.

HE said to me. 'Son of man, eat what is given to you.  Eat this scroll and then go; speak to the people of Israel.'  I opened my mouth and HE made me eat the scroll; and then HE said to me, 'Eat and fill yourself with this scroll that I'M giving you.'  I ate it; and it tasted as sweet as honey.

He said, 'Son of man, go to the Israelites; speak to them with MY words." - Ezekiel 2:8-3:4

(This is similar to what has been expressed by earlier prophets.  When the LORD sent Isaiah, HE told him only about the counter-productive effect of his mission: the people will become hardened.  In Ezekiel's case, there is more optimism: sent to rebels, he must be firmer and more persistent that they are to break through the shell of their hardened hearts.  In fact, Ezekiel will be constantly arguing and fighting.  Paul will say later that those who evangelize must teach whether the time is right or not [2 Timothy 4:2] without ever losing heart.

Eat this scroll.  The vision of the scroll symbolically describes the call from YAHWEH, giving Ezekiel his mission.

Fill yourself with this scroll that I'M giving you.  The prophet is not a parrot that repeats words dropped from heaven: he has been given a global view of events, an understanding of the meaning of history.  He is possessed with fury, which is the fury of GOD against sin.  All this is signified by the scroll [such were the ancient books] which he had to eat.

For several years Ezekiel gives only predictions of death.  This explains why the book centers on woes and lamentations.

It tasted as sweet as honey.  Ezekiel eats these predictions of misfortune which seem sweet to him: the prophet has taken YAHWEH's side and he totally accepts HIS plans, however terrible they may seem to the people.  In sharing YAHWEH 's anger, Jeremiah kept his human heart and he suffered because of the suffering of HIS people.  Ezekiel, on the contrary, does not feel torn.

Thus, with the examples of several prophets, Scripture shows us how GOD's Word separates believers from their own people [Matthew 10:34].  All who are called to speak to others or lead them, begin to experience this conflict.  They do not say what people want to hear, nor are they disturbed by the complaints of cowards, and of the comfortable who ask to be left alone to live the way they want.  It will always be hard to lose the security we have from agreeing with everyone else.  True believers willingly take GOD's side, which means, at times, going against the grain.)

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JESUS Announced HIS Death

 "While JESUS was in Galilee with the Twelve, HE said to them, 'The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill HIM.  But HE will rise on the third day.'  The Twelve were deeply grieved." - Matthew 17:22-23

(Several times  JESUS announced HIS death: see 16:21; 20:17.  Never did HE present it as a misfortune that might counteract HIS mission.  John will say that JESUS looked for it as the means for giving glory to HIS FATHER and reconciling humankind [John 17].  JESUS speaks of HIMSELF in the third person: the Son of Man, because HE looks at HIS destiny as an outsider.  This is the will of HIS FATHER, and HE is not concerned about HIMSELF.)

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Why Have The Jews Not Believed?

 "I tell you, sincerely, in CHRIST, and my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit, that I am not lying: I have great sadness and constant anguish for the Jews.  I would even desire, that, I myself, suffer the curse of being cut off from CHRIST, instead of my brethren: I mean, my own people, my kin.  They are Israelites, whom GOD adopted, and on them, rests HIS glory.  Theirs, are the Covenants, the law, the worship and the promises of GOD.  They are descendants of the patriarchs, and from their race, CHRIST was born, HE, who, as GOD, is above all distinctions.  Blessed be HE forever and ever: Amen!" - Romans 9:1-5

(Paul, being a Jew, shares the worries of the few Jews who have believed in CHRIST.  Why did the chosen people not recognize their Savior?  If they were a chosen nation, why were so few selected?

It is the same worry of Catholic families when their children do not go to church or when teenagers declare they have lost their faith.  It is the same uneasiness we feel in the course of a mission: those who habitually go to church are perhaps the hardest to lead to conversion and are the ones that most obstruct the evangelization of outsiders.

Faith is not transmitted in heritage from father to son, mother to daughter.  There have certainly been times and cultural systems where a whole nation followed the same religion and apparently shared the same faith.  The Book of Acts shows how on several occasions the conversion of the head of the family brought about the baptism of the whole household [Acts 11:14; 16:33].  Faith however will always be a grace of GOD.  In our days people have acquired complete autonomy and live in a world where all beliefs meet: faith can no longer be a family possession.)

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All Things Are Possible For One Who Believes

When they came to the crowd, a man approached JESUS, knelt before HIM and said, 'Sir, have pity on my son, who is an epileptic and suffers terribly.  He has often fallen into the fire, and at other times into the water.  I brought him to your disciples but they could not heal him.'

JESUS replied, 'O you people, faithless and misled!  How long must I put up with you?  Bring him here to ME.'  And JESUS commanded the evil spirit to leave the boy, and the boy was immediately healed.

Later, the disciples approached JESUS and asked HIM privately, 'Why couldn't we drive out the spirit?'  JESUS said to them, 'Because you have little faith.  I say to you: if only you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could tell that mountain to move from here to there, and the mountain would obey.  Nothing would be impossible for you.'" - Matthew 17:14-20 

(All things are possible for one who believes.  JESUS has gone back to the crowd and again HE meets with human unbelief.  The prayer of the child's father would be a model for all Christian prayer.  If we turn to GOD in prayer, it is because we have faith; and yet in doing this we discover the poverty and the fragility of our faith.)

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Whoever Chooses To Save His Life Will Lose It

"Then JESUS said to HIS disciples, 'If you want to follow ME, deny yourself.  Take up your cross and follow ME.  For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life, for MY sake, will find it.  What will one gain by winning the whole world, if he destroys his soul?  Or what can a person give, in exchange for his life?

Know, that the Son of Man will come, in the glory of HIS FATHER with the holy angels, and HE will reward each one according to his deeds.  Truly, I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death, before they see the Son of Man coming in HIS kingdom.'" - Matthew 16:24-28 

The Way Of The Cross

(Whoever chooses to save his life will lose it.  JESUS draws attention to the great option of every human life: we cannot discover GOD; we cannot make a success of life without sacrificing it.  All the rest is idle talk.  The option terrifies us in the same measure that life for us seems promising.  It is also the reason why marriage and family frighten many.

Christian freedom and happiness are found only in the joyous acceptance of the will of GOD which invites us to listen to HIS Son and follow HIM down the road and paths that HE traveled.

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"This Is MY Beloved Son, This Is MY Chosen One."

"Indeed, what we taught you about the power, and the return of CHRIST JESUS our LORD, was not drawn from myths or formulated theories.  We, ourselves, were eyewitnesses of HIS majesty, when HE received glory and honor from GOD, the FATHER, when, from the magnificent glory, this most extraordinary word came upon HIM: 'This is MY beloved Son, this is MY Chosen One.'  We, ourselves, heard this voice from heaven, when we were with HIM on the holy mountain.

Therefore, we believe most firmly in the message of the prophets, which you should consider rightly, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the break of day, when the Morning Star shines in your hearts." - 2 Peter 1:16-19 

(What we taught you... was not drawn from myths or formulated theories.  Faith is not based on reasons and theories.  We believe in what the apostles saw and in the prophets' words.  It is true that through the centuries the understanding of the consequences of faith has developed, situating it within the realities of life; there has also been a constant effort to express what faith is in the language of our day.  Nevertheless we continue holding and believing the mystery of CHRIST in the way the apostles believed and understood it.

The Morning Star.  This refers to CHRIST [see Revelation 22:16].)

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The Faith Of The Canaanite Woman

"Leaving that place, JESUS withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  A Canaanite woman from the area, came and cried out, 'LORD, Son of David, have pity on me!  My daughter is tormented by a demon.'  But JESUS did not answer her, not even a word.  So HIS disciples approached HIM and said, 'Send her away!  See how she is shouting after us.'

Then JESUS said to her, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.'

But the woman was already kneeling before JESUS, and said, 'Sir, help me!'  JESUS answered, 'It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to puppies.'  The woman replied, 'That is true, sir, but even puppies eat the crumbs which fall from their master's table.'  Then JESUS said, 'Woman, how great is your faith!  Let it be as you wish.'  And her daughter was healed at that moment." - Matthew 15:21-28 

(The Jews usually looked down on pagans with marked contempt: they were the sons, the pagans were the dogs.  JESUS answered the afflicted woman repeating this well-known scornful saying.  HE said this to test the woman's faith: would she insist when it appeared that even GOD would reject her?

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Prayer For Renewal

"O YAHWEH, the nations will revere YOUR name, and the kings of the earth YOUR glory,

when YAHWEH will rebuild Zion and appear in all HIS splendor.

For HE will answer the prayer of the needy and will not despise their plea.

Let this be written for future ages, 'YAHWEH will be praised by a people HE will form.'

From HIS holy height in heaven, YAHWEH has looked on the earth to hear the groaning of the prisoners, and free those condemned to death.

Then the name of YAHWEH will be declared in Zion, and HIS praise in Jerusalem,

when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship HIM."

- Psalm 102:16-23

(The psalmist experiences psychological and bodily disintegration.  This pathetic expression of grief  suddenly changes into a confident prayer for GOD's protection on Zion, HIS holy city.  So, we suffer with all who suffer in the Church--while being certain, that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

The LORD indeed freed those condemned to death when JESUS cried out again in a loud voice and gave up HIS spirit [Matthew 27:50].  At that time, 'tombs were opened and several holy people who had died were raised to life' [Matthew 27:52].  Therefore, unlike the Psalmist who seems very hurt and afflicted, let us rejoice and give thanks and book our place in heaven.)

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First Miracle Of The Loaves

"When JESUS hear of it, HE set out by boat for a secluded place, to be alone.  But the people heard of it, and they followed HIM on foot from their towns.  When JESUS went ashore, HE saw the crowd gathered there, and HE had compassion on them.  And HE healed their sick.

Late in the afternoon, HIS disciples came to HIM and said, 'We are in a lonely place and it is now late.  YOU should send these people away, so that they can go to the villages and buy something for themselves to eat.'

But JESUS replied, 'They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat.'  They answered, 'We have nothing here but five loaves and two fishes.'  JESUS said to them, 'Bring them here to ME.'

Then HE made everyone sit down on the grass.  HE took the five loaves and the two fishes, raised HIS eyes to heaven, pronounced the blessing, broke the loaves, and handed them to the disciples to distribute to the people.  And they all ate, and everyone had enough; then the disciples gathered up the leftovers, filling twelve baskets.  About five thousand men had eaten there, besides women and children." - Matthew 14:13-21 

(Scripture says that from the mouth of GOD comes bread, and the word that we need [Deuteronomy 8:3].  By the act of giving bread, JESUS demonstrates that HIS words are GOD's words.  GOD gives bread to HIS people [Exodus 16; Psalm 72:16; Psalm 81:17; Psalm 132:15; 147:14].

They sat in fresh pastures and they ate till they were satisfied.  The crowd seated for a meal is the image of the Reign when JESUS will unite all of humanity in the fraternal banquet of GOD [Luke 14:15].

Raising HIS eyes to heaven.  By using this gesture, rather than a prayer that saints or prophets might have said on this occasion, JESUS expresses HIS personal relationship with the FATHER.

JESUS is the bread needed by humanity [John 6].  GOD has set on this earth all that humanity needs for food and development, but if we do not know how to listen to the word, we will not know how to solve the world's most urgent problem, the distribution of the riches of the earth.  Faith in GOD's promises is the only force with which to fight against egoism and unequal privileges, and it will eventually obtain food, peace, and freedom for all.

Because of this, JESUS had compassion for this crowd whose leaders had little concern for them.  Without bothering about food, this crowd sat listening to HIM while HE conveyed to them the word of GOD that liberates people from blindness and emptiness.  Then, being the Shepherd and the True Bread of Life, HE gave them food and distributed it.)

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Why Spend Money On What Is Not Food And Labor For What Does Not Satisfy?

"Come here, all you who are thirsty, come to the water!

All who have no money, come!

Yes, without money and at no cost, buy and drink wine and milk.

Why spend money on what is not food and labor for what does not satisfy?  Listen to ME, and you will eat well; you will enjoy the richest of fare.

Incline your ear and come to ME; listen, that your soul may live.  I will make with you an everlasting Covenant, I will fulfill in you MY promises to David." - Isaiah 55:1-3 

(The book ends with a call to hope.  Are you not tired of the happiness you thought you would easily get in the place of exile?

GOD is the one who always gives first.  HE only hopes that we will open the door for HIM.  JESUS will offer us rest [Matthew 11:28]; HE will give us the bread of life [John 6] and will give HIMSELF as "the" friend [Revelation 3:20].)

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