Prayer In Desolation

 "My eyes have grown dim with grief; spreading out my hands to YOU, I call upon YOU every day, O YAHWEH.

Are YOUR wonders meant for the dead?  Will ghosts rise to give YOU thanks?

Is YOUR love and faithfulness remembered among those gone to the netherworld?

Are YOUR wonders known in the dark; YOUR salvation, in the land of oblivion?

But to YOU, O YAHWEH, I cry for help; every morning I pray to YOU.

O YAHWEH, why do YOU reject me; why do YOU hide YOUR face?

- Psalm 88:10-15

(This psalm ends in an incomparable sad note.  The psalmist seems very dejected, frustrated and helpless.  One is so used to hearing him complain about the 'enemies.'  When he does not, his silence is audible.  The complaint is directed to GOD, but if GOD is an enemy, what hope is there?  In this psalm, there is no ray of light.  It is a cry in the dark.  The inhuman enemy is sickness in a lonely old age: only GOD, whose messenger it is, can make the message bearable.

It would seem that knowing CHRIST, we couldn't sink into despair.  There are, however, days when heaven is closed for us, as it was for JESUS in HIS agony.

The 'why?' of the psalm is heard on the cross [cf. Matthew 27:46].  The answer will come at dawn [cf. 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 15:54].  This supplication of a dying person can be sung by all those who are dying or live in the silence of GOD.  Let us not forget that, at dawn, our supplication will rise up to meet GOD.)

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War Broke Out In Heaven!

 "War broke out in heaven, with Michael and his angels battling with the dragon.  The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated, and lost their place in heaven.  The great dragon, the ancient serpent, known as the devil, or Satan, seducer of the whole world, was thrown out.  He was hurled down to earth, together with his angels.

Then, I heard a loud voice from Heaven:

Now has salvation come,

with the power and the kingdom of our GOD,

and the rule of HIS anointed.

For our brothers' accuser has been cast out,

who accused them night and day, before GOD.

They conquered him, by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony,

for they gave up their lives, going to death.

Rejoice, therefore, O you heavens,

and you who dwell in them;

but woe to you, earth and sea,

for the devil has come to you, in anger,

knowing that he has but a little time." 

- Revelation 12:7-12

(GOD's plan for the world has just been revealed: the Son of GOD must become a human and rise as the Savior of all people.  This mystery causes a double crisis: in the world of spirits [or angels] and in humankind.

The Jews imagined the angels were a huge army and they called their head Michael.  Similarly, the devil is presented as the head of the army of rebellious angels, the stars fallen from heaven.

The following chapters will reveal the devil at work in history.  He uses disguises and many substitutes.  However, those who are ready to suffer for the truth will recognize him: they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by their courage in proclaiming HIM.)

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Who Is The Greatest?

 "One day, the disciples were arguing about which of them was the most important.  But JESUS knew their thoughts, so HE took a little child and stood him by HIS side.  Then HE said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in MY name, welcomes ME; and whoever welcomes ME, welcomes the one who sent ME.  And listen: the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest.'

Then John spoke up, 'Master, we saw someone who drives out demons by calling upon YOUR name, and we tried to forbid him, because he doesn't follow YOU with us.'  But JESUS said, 'Don't forbid him.  He who is not against you is for you.'" - Luke 9:46-50

(Mark remarks that JESUS took a child in HIS arms: something unusual for people of that time since children did not count, and religious teachers only urged that they be well disciplined.  The model of religion seemed to be a serious man who did not laugh, did not run, did not look at people in lower positions, especially women and children.  Oftentimes, such a mentality is seen in those who criticize child baptism and first communion.

JESUS does not answer the apostles' question: Who is the greatest?  Because what matters is not to become great, but to be close to CHRIST.  In order to receive CHRIST, we must welcome HIM in the person of the little ones.) 

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The Parable Of The Two Sons

 "JESUS went on to say, 'What do you think of this?  A man had two sons.  He went to the first and said to him, 'Son go and work today in my vineyard.'  And the son answered, 'I don't want to.'  But later he thought better of it and went.  Then the father went to his other son and said the same thing to him.  This son replied, 'I will go, sir,' but he did not go.

Which of the two did what the father wanted?'  They answered, 'The first.'  And JESUS said to them, 'Truly, I say to you: the publicans and the prostitutes are ahead of you on the way to kingdom of heaven.  For John came, to show you the way of goodness, and you did not believe him; but the publicans and the prostitutes did.  You were witnesses of this, but you neither repented nor believed him." - Matthew 21:28-32 

(The parable refers to the refusal of the chief priests to recognize John the Baptist as a messenger of GOD.

A good number of sinners were converted by John's preaching and confessed their sins.  Such people were well disposed to receive the message of JESUS that opened for them the kingdom of GOD and showed them the true face of GOD the FATHER.  Because of that, they were ahead of the priests, who were indifferent to John's call, for they felt neither the desire nor the need to change.

Every parish that carries out a mission experiences the same thing: many uncommitted Christians will neither work as missionaries, nor receive them, believing they do not need conversion.)

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Be Mindful Of Your Creator When You Are Young

 "Rejoice, young man, in your youth and direct well your heart when you are young; follow your desires and achieve your ambitions but recall that GOD will take account of all you do.

Drive sorrow from your heart and pain from your flesh, for youth and dark hair will not last.

Be mindful of your Creator when you are young, before the time of sorrow comes when you have to say, 'This gives me no pleasure,'

and before the sun, moon and stars withdraw their light, before the clouds gather again after the rain.

On the day when the guardians of the house tremble, when sturdy men are bowed and those at the mill stop working because they are too few, when it grows dim for those looking through the windows, and the doors are shut and the noise of the mill grows faint, the sparrow stops chirping and the bird-song is silenced, when one fears the slopes and to walk is frightening; yet the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper is fat and the caperberry bears fruit that serves no purpose,

because man goes forward to his eternal home and mourners gather in the street,

even before the silver chain is snapped or the golden globe is shattered,

before the pitcher is broken at the fountain or the wheel at the mill,

before the dust returns to the earth from which it came and the spirit returns to GOD who gave it.

Meaningless!  meaningless!  the Teacher says; all is meaningless!" - Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8 

(Be mindful of your Creator when you are young.  It will not be the time to turn to GOD when our strength and pleasures are over: "the beautiful woman has no more lovers, she has entered a convent."  Why remember our Creator?  Because this remembering, which little by little will become a presence for us, is one of the conditions of our joy.  The bitterness of old age does not affect those who have chosen GOD in their youth; at the end of their life they can repeat the words of the psalm: I shall go towards GOD, the joy of my youth [cf. Psalm 43:4].)

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Appeal For Victory And Peace

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

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

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

- Psalm 144:1-4

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

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Vanity Of Vanities

 "All is meaningless--says the Teacher--meaningless, meaningless!

What profit is there for a man in all his work for which he toils under the sun?

A generation goes, a generation comes and the earth remains forever.  The sun rises, the sun sets, hastening towards the place where it again rises.  Blowing to the south, turning to the north, the wind goes round and round and after all its rounds it has to blow again.

All rivers go to the sea but the sea is not full; to the place where the rivers come from, there they return again.

All words become weary and speech comes to an end, but the eye has never seen enough nor the ear heard too much.

What has happened before will happen again; what has been done before will be done again:  there is nothing new under the sun.

If they say to you, 'See, it's new!' know that it has already been centuries earlier.

There is no remembrance of ancient people, and those to come will not be remembered by those who follow them." - Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 

(All is meaningless!  Meaningless!  We are used to the ancient translation of this verse: "Vanity of vanities.  All is vanity!"  Actually, the first word of the book designates in Hebrew a wisp of straw.  It is without weight and flies away at the slightest breeze, like vanity, a nothing.  It is also what escapes our grasp: it is a future that is uncertain and illusory, or something which does not satisfy our spirit, on which we can build nothing; it is "disconcerting," it "has no sense."

This expression is repeated in the like a refrain, but with different meanings according to the context: that is why we have recourse to different translations.

There is nothing new under the sun.  The prophets had seen the world led by GOD toward a happy future.  Other cultures, however, had the notion that the world only keeps on repeating the same events, with kingdoms, wars, success and failure.  For them, nothing was happening which could give people the fulfillment of their desires.

With such convictions, a person might try to forget what is taking place in a world where all is illusion, but that is not the case of Ecclesiastes.  Like every good Jew, he is firmly rooted in reality; he lives at a time that is without conflict and also without prophets or great hope.  In such conditions, it is wisdom to ignore the illusions of activism.

Under the sun: these words will come back as a refrain: humans toil and pass as a shadow while the sun remains.  The sun is like an image of GOD who endures and who alone does things "with a view to eternity.") 

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The Mission

 "Then JESUS called HIS Twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases.  And HE sent them to proclaim the kingdom of GOD and to heal the sick,  HE instructed them, 'Don't take anything for the journey, neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and don't even take a spare tunic.  Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place.  And wherever they don't welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet: it will be as a testimony against them.'

So they set out, and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere." - Luke 9:1-6 

(JESUS begins a third stage of HIS ministry by organizing a mission throughout the province.  Before, the apostles accompanied JESUS but now HE sends them ahead of HIM.

Apostles mean "sent" and "mission" also means "being sent."  The FATHER has sent HIS Son to earth, and the Son, in turn, sends HIS apostles.  The FATHER sends messengers of HIS word, but HE also sends HIS Spirit to touch the hearts and minds of those who listen.  Through the Spirit they recognize the word of GOD in the poor preaching of these messengers who have received no great instruction.  The Spirit will give signs: healings and astounding graces supporting the witness of the missionaries. 

JESUS concern to from communities of believers is already present.  HE sends HIS disciples out two by two so that the message will not be from one person only, but the expression of a group united in one mission.  JESUS tells them to stay under one roof with one family so that this may be a center radiating faith.)

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JESUS Mother And Brothers

 "Then HIS mother and HIS relatives came to HIM; but they could not get to HIM because of the crowd.  Someone told HIM , 'YOUR mother and YOUR brothers are standing outside and wish to meet YOU.'  Then JESUS answered, 'MY mother and MY brothers are those who hear the word of GOD and do it.'" - Luke 8:19-21 

(If they were true brothers of JESUS, sons of Mary, the Gospel would say: "HIS mother and the sons of HIS mother," for this was the Jewish manner of speaking.

JESUS lost HIS relatives but found HIS true brothers and sisters.  When we commit ourselves to GOD's work, we discover new brothers and sisters and a mother, Mary, of whom the Gospel says, "Happy are you for having believed that GOD's promises would be fulfilled."  JESUS does not say, "He is MY father," for the FATHER is one and HE is in Heaven.)

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JESUS Calls Matthew

 "As JESUS moved on from there, HE saw a man named Matthew, at his seat in the custom-house; and HE said to him, 'Follow ME!'  And Matthew got up and followed HIM.  Now it happened, while JESUS was at table in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners joined JESUS and HIS disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to HIS disciples, 'Why is it, that your master eats with sinners and tax collectors?'

When JESUS heard this, HE said, 'Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do.  Go, and find out what this means: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice.  I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Matthew 9:9-13 

(To enter the family of GOD, we must change some of our values.  This conversion is not as conspicuous as participation in devotional practices but is much more valuable.  First, we must liberate ourselves from prejudices by which we classify people.  Let us stop dividing people into good or bad; those we can greet and those we cannot; those we can love and help and those we cannot.  Let us learn that GOD does not hate the rich or the uneducated, those on the left or those on the right, for GOD's merciful plan sees to the salvation of all.)

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For MY Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts, MY Ways Are Not Your Ways, Says YAHWEH

 "Seek YAHWEH while HE may be found;

call to HIM while HE is near.

Let the wicked abandon his way,

let him forsake his thoughts,

let him turn to YAHWEH for HE will have mercy,

for our GOD is generous in forgiving.

For MY thoughts are not your thoughts,

MY ways are not your ways, says YAHWEH.

For as the heavens are above the earth,

so are MY ways higher than your ways,

and MY thoughts above your thoughts."

- Isaiah 55:6-9

(Allow yourselves to be conquered by the love of the LORD who is forming you even more than you can imagine.  Paul will use similar language in his letter to the Romans [5:1-11].)

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The Body After The Resurrection

 "For there shall be a spiritual body, as there is, at present, a living body.  Scripture says that Adam, the first man, became a living being; but the last Adam has become a life-giving spirit.

The spirit does not appear first, but the natural life, and afterward comes the spirit.  The first man comes from the earth and is earthly, while the second one comes from heaven.  As it was with the earthly one, so is it with the earthly people.  As it is with CHRIST, so with the heavenly.  This is why, after bearing the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one." - 1 Corinthians 15:44-49 

(For there shall be a spiritual body as there is at present a living body.  Resurrection comes from what is within, it is like a transfiguration.  Each one will have the body he/she deserves; a body that best expresses what he/she has become and what he/she is in GOD.  Could we hope for anything more beautiful than that hope which is beautiful even in its logic?  But is it certain?  Paul is affirmative with all the boldness of faith.  No reasoning can prove faith: only the experience of the working of the Spirit which even now is transfiguring us and will give us day by day, more than an intuition, a certitude of where we are going.

Earthly... heavenly... We all have a double heritage: by nature we are in solidarity with the human race in the person of Adam--man, animal and earthly--but we also belong to this human community which mysteriously forms itself around CHRIST who is Spirit, source of life and who comes from heaven.  Baptism has not made us pass from one to another.  Moreover, faithful as we may be, our Adam will continue to grow and increase in weight, with his weakness and temptations, but at the same time our inner being will be strengthened, this embryo of a celestial person, waiting for its true birth.)

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The Women Who Followed JESUS

 "JESUS walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of GOD.  The Twelve followed HIM, and also some women, who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; Suzanna; and others, who provided for them out of their own funds." - Luke 8:1-3 

(No spiritual master would have spoken to a woman in public: women were not even admitted to the synagogues.  Nevertheless, JESUS did not pay the least attention to such universally accepted prejudices.  Various women took JESUS' words and attitude as a call to freedom.  They even joined the circle of HIS intimate friends while ignoring the gossip.  Here we have a fundamental testimony about the freedom of the Gospel.

JESUS was truly human, and as such HE belonged to a race and a culture: HE was a Jew of HIS time and HIS gospel was attuned to the culture that HE shared.  Yet JESUS did not adopt the inhuman traits of HIS culture; nor did HE accept the prejudices of the Jews of HIS time with regard to women, to public sinners, to pagans and so on, nor did HE share their views in regard to the Sabbath.  HIS gospel is a leaven that changes cultures for the better; in many respects HIS way of life goes against the mainstream of cultures.)

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Resurrection Is A Fact

 "Let me remind you, brothers and sisters, of the Good News that I preached to you, and which you received, and on which, you stand firm.  By that gospel, you are saved, provided that you hold to it, as I preached it.  Otherwise, you will have believed in vain.

In the first place, I have passed on to you what, I, myself, received: that CHRIST died for our sins, as Scripture says; that HE was buried; that HE was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures; that HE appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.  Afterward, HE appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters together; most of them are still alive, although some have already gone to rest.  Then HE appeared to James, and after that, to all the apostles.  And last of all, HE appeared to the most despicable of them, this is, to me.  For I am the last of the apostles, and I do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of GOD.  Nevertheless, by the grace of GOD, I am what I am, and HIS grace toward me has not been without fruit.  Far from it, I have toiled more than all of them, although, not I, rather the grace of GOD, in me.

Now, whether it was I or they, this, we preach, and this, you have believed." - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 

(Have we here the response to a last question of the Corinthians?  Many Greeks thought that at death the immortal soul leaves the body and remains alone.  Was it admitted to the paradise of souls?  Did it come to the great reservoir of souls already gone or who were to return, forgetting all the past lived on earth?  Others held [as do a good number of Christians today], that all ends with death: see 1 Thessalonians 5:13.  Paul will therefore remind the Corinthians that faith in the Resurrection is at the heart of the Christian message.

I remind you of the Gospel.  Here certainly we may speak of Good News, for death as something unknown is and always has been the great burden of human life [Sirach 40:1].

I have passed on to you.  Paul will not recall a tale, or a "myth," these stories full of wisdom that abounded with the Greeks.  They bared an order in the world, a meaning of life, but were only stories.  Today certain people speak of the Resurrection in the same way.  They say: "It matters little what took place, the Gospels are not directly interested in what happened to JESUS, for them it was important that strange events would give courage to the disciples and the hope of another life."  Paul says precisely the contrary: the Resurrection of JESUS is a fact.)

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What Comparison Can I Use For The People?

 "And JESUS said, 'What comparison can I use for the people?  What are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain, 'We piped you a tune and you wouldn't dance; we sang funeral songs and you wouldn't cry.'

Remember John: he didn't eat bread or drink wine, and you said, 'He has an evil spirit.'  Next, came the Son of Man, eating and drinking; and you say, 'Look, a glutton for food and wine, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'  But the children of Wisdom always recognize her work.'" - Luke 7:31-35 

(They are like children sitting...  They do everything at the wrong time; they reproach John for his austerity and JESUS for HIS lack of austerity.  There is no "one" way of serving GOD; there is no "one" model of holiness, "one" style of Christian life.  GOD acts in thousands of ways throughout history, encouraging at a given time what HE will censure later in another milieu.  The extreme asceticism of hermits in the desert or that of the ancient Irish monks has been a richness for Christianity.  Modern Christianity that appears more human may look easier to follow but the demands of the cross are always there.  JESUS went further than John but HE needed John: the Gospel is heard with pleasure but is not taken seriously as long as repentance and sacrifice are brushed aside.  Perhaps the renewal of our faith today is waiting for prophets and for movements that dare to question a culture and a society that has become sterile.)

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JESUS Offered HIS Sacrifice With Tears And Cries

 "CHRIST, in the days of HIS mortal life, offered HIS sacrifice with tears and cries.  HE prayed to HIM, who could save HIM from death, and HE was heard, because of HIS humble submission.  Although HE was Son, HE learned, through suffering, what obedience was, and, once made perfect, HE became the source of eternal salvation, for those who obey HIM." - Hebrews 5:7-9 

(HE offered HIS sacrifice with tears  and cries.  In Scripture, these words are used to express the insistent prayer of the oppressed children of GOD: they cry to GOD in such a loud voice that HE listens to them.  Thus, the night before HIS death, JESUS identified with men and women who suffer and do not want to die.)

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Imitate The Humility Of JESUS

 "Though HE was in the form of GOD, HE did not regard equality with GOD as something to be grasped,

but emptied HIMSELF,

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

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

HE humbled HIMSELF by being obedient, to death,

death on the cross.

That is why GOD exalted HIM

and gave HIM the name which outshines all names,

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

in heaven, on earth and among the dead,

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

to the glory of GOD the FATHER.

- Philippians 2:6-11

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

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

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Whatever We Do Against Our Conscience Is Sinful

 "Keep your own belief before GOD, and happy are you, if you never act against your own belief.  Instead, whoever eats something, in spite of his doubt, is condemned by his conscience, because whatever we do against our conscience is sinful." - Romans 14:22-23 

(Whatever we do against our conscience is sinful: an important affirmation of the liberty of conscience.  Perhaps it is often forgotten; but St. Thomas Aquinas himself reminds us that no law or religious authority should be followed against our conscience.  It is, therefore, a grave responsibility to acquire good criteria through readings, conversations, reading the Scriptures, knowing that the Spirit is at work in all the life of the Church.)

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No Healthy Tree Bears Bad Fruit, No Poor Tree Bears Good Fruit

 "No healthy tree bears bad fruit, no poor tree bears good fruit.  And each tree is known by the fruit it bears: you don't gather figs from thorns, or grapes from brambles.  Similarly, the good person draws good things from the good stored in his heart, and an evil person draws evil things from the evil stored in his heart.  For the mouth speaks from the fullness of the heart." - Luke 6:43-45 

(These sayings were already mentioned in Matthew 7:15.  Here, however, Luke gives them a different meaning by referring to a pure conscience.  We must purify our mind and our spirit to become the tree that produces good fruits.)

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Faith Demands Sacrifice

 "Have you not learned anything from the stadium?  Many run, but only one gets the prize.  Run, therefore, intending to win it, as athletes, who impose upon themselves a rigorous discipline.  Yet, for them the wreath is of laurels which wither, while for us, it does not wither.

So, then, I run, knowing where I go.  I box, but not aimlessly in the air.  I punish my body and control it, lest, after preaching to others, I myself should be rejected." - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 

(Paul is now ready to tell the Corinthians that they may not share the cult of idols.  To justify his position [for the Corinthians it was very strict], Paul presents two arguments:

- no racing contest is won without self-sacrifice;

- Scripture has many examples of how GOD punished those who practiced a cult of idols.

As athletes who impose upon themselves a rigorous discipline.  Like them, we must renounce many things that are not evil.  We need discipline to be really free, whether in the use of alcohol or tobacco, or not idly waste time in front of the television or reading magazines.  While the world lures us to be spectators and consumers, we must be agents of salvation, the salt of the earth.)

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The Believers Of Weak Or Unformed Conscience

 "What if others with an unformed conscience see you, a person of knowledge, sitting at the table in the temple of idols?  Will not their weak conscience, because of your example, move them to eat also?  Then, with your knowledge, you would have caused your weak brother or sister to perish, the one for whom CHRIST died.  When you disturb the weak conscience of your brother or sister, and sin against them, you sin against CHRIST HIMSELF.  Therefore, if any food will bring my brother to sin, I shall never eat this food, lest my brother or sister fall." - 1 Corinthians 8:10-13 

(Paul speaks of those of weak or unformed conscience, meaning the believers who have not yet had sufficient religious instruction or who have been badly instructed.  They think that something is sinful when in reality it is not; or they are weak and follow others when their conscience reproaches them for doing so.

What if others with an unformed conscience see you, a person of knowledge, sitting at the table in the temple of the idols.  This is more serious.  Some in the community already follow a path that will be denounced by John in Revelation [2:23], those who later would be known as the "Nicolaites."  They wanted to be very open and not separate from the non-Christians around them, so they preferred not to manifest their convictions.  Finally one could not tell what truth they were witnesses to.) 

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Marriage And Virginity

 "With regard to those who remain virgins, I have no special commandment from the LORD, but I give some advice, hoping that I am worthy of trust by the mercy of the LORD.

I think this is good in these hard times in which we live.  It is good for someone to remain as he is.  If you are married, do not try to divorce your wife; if you are not married, do not marry.  He who marries does not sin, nor does the young girl sin who marries.  Yet they will face disturbing experiences, and I would like to spare you.

I say this, brothers and sisters: time is running out, and those who are married must live as if not married; those who weep as if not weeping; those who are happy as if they were not happy; those buying something as if they had not bought it, and those enjoying the present life as if they were not enjoying it.  For the order of this world is vanishing." - 1 Corinthians 7:25-31 

(A new question to which Paul must reply.  In Corinth, a city with a bad reputation where thousands of prostitutes lived in the vicinity of the temple of Aphrodite [as was the custom with pagans] the new community was discovering the way of virginity.

Choosing chastity "for the kingdom of GOD" is not a way of gaining time and freedom for apostolic work: it is taking a direction that opens to the love of GOD with new possibilities.  Paul defends this choice he himself made.  If CHRIST, to whom we are consecrated by Baptism, is a living person, present to us, if HE is the Spouse [Mark 2:19], the choice is valid, even if for most people it looks as strange as voluntary poverty.

Paul's response goes further than the question of the Corinthians when he adds: time is running out.  He points to much more than a prompt return of CHRIST, familiar to the first Christians.  The coming of JESUS has shortened time in a figurative way: we can no longer settle down in the present world as we did before when we could see no further than the present.  We are entirely turned towards what is to come.  A Christian lives in the present, but all that matters most for him comes in the "after."  Let us not argue with Paul as if he were reasoning on the consequences of the certain coming of JESUS CHRIST: he is not theologizing but speaks like someone already possessed by CHRIST.

Paul then points out that all Christian commitments are likely to cause division for those who wish to live according to the logic of their Baptism, seen as a total consecration to CHRIST.  Married life or family life can present many obstacles to spiritual freedom and apostolic desires: see the words of JESUS in Mark 10:29.)    

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But You, Bethlehem Ephrata, From You Shall I Raise The One Who Is To Rule Over Israel

 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrata, so small that you are hardly named among the clans of Judah; from you shall I raise the one who is to rule over Israel.  For HE comes forth from of old, from the ancient times.

YAHWEH, therefore, will abandon Israel until such time as she, who is to give birth, has given birth.  Then the rest of HIS deported brothers will return to the people of Israel.

HE will stand, and shepherd HIS flock with the strength of YAHWEH, in the glorious Name of YAHWEH, HIS GOD.  They will live safely, while HE wins renown to the ends of the earth.  HE shall be peace." - Micah 5:1-4 

(But you, Bethlehem Ephrata, from you shall I raise the one who is to rule over Israel.  That is to say, that the Messiah will come from the line of David whose roots are in Bethlehem.  It is not clear if the Messiah must be born in Bethlehem, in spite of the fact that Micah seems to contrast this peaceful king, born in a rural area, with the useless kings of the capital.  Later, many believed that the Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem: see John 7:42.  Matthew's Gospel shows how this prophecy was fulfilled with the birth of JESUS [Matthew 2:6].)

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Expel The Immoral Brother!

 "You have become news, with, a case of immorality, and such a case, that is not even found among pagans.  Yes, one of you has taken, as wife, his own stepmother.  And you feel proud!  Should you not be in mourning, instead, and expel the one who did such a thing?  For my part, although I am physically absent, my spirit is with you and, as if present, I have already passed sentence on the man who committed such a sin.  Let us meet together, you and my spirit, and in the name of our LORD JESUS, and with HIS power, you shall deliver him to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit be saved in the day of Judgment.

This is not the time to praise yourselves.  Do you not know that a little yeast makes the whole mass of dough rise?  Throw out, then, the old yeast and be new dough.  If CHRIST became our Passover, you should be unleavened bread.  Let us celebrate, therefore, the Passover, no longer with old yeast, which is sin and perversity; let us have unleavened bread, that is purity and sincerity." - 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 

(Paul knows that such a sinner cannot be brought to repentance unless he experiences the bitterness of his treachery.  So the community must ask that he suffer in health and belongings [Paul says "delivered to Satan for the ruin of the flesh:" see in Job 1:12 and 2:6 for the meaning of delivered to Satan].  This excommunication is not merely a human gesture.  What the Church binds on earth is bound in heaven [Matthew 18:18].  GOD is committed to send trials that may be at the same time warning to the Church and a way of repentance for the sinner.

You should be unleavened bread.  The believers have been spiritually raised with CHRIST.  As the Jews used unleavened bread to celebrate the Passover, in the same way the Christians have to be, in a figurative sense unleavened bread, that is, they must lead a sinless life before GOD, and so worthily celebrate their Passover, which is the Resurrection of CHRIST.  JESUS compared the kingdom of heaven to yeast that leavens the whole mass.  Here Paul uses the same comparison to show how evil spreads everywhere.)

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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."- Matthew 18:15-18 

(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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Comforted Christians And Harassed Apostles

 "So, then, you are already rich and satisfied, and feel like kings, without us!  I wish you really were kings, so that we might enjoy the kingship with you!

It seems to me, that GOD has placed us, the apostles, in the last place, as if condemned to death, and as spectacles for the whole world, for the angels as well as for mortals.

We are fools for CHRIST, while you show forth the wisdom of CHRIST.  We are weak, you are strong.  You are honored, while we are despised.  Until now we hunger and thirst, we are poorly clothed and badly treated, while moving from place to place.  We labor, working with our hands.  People insult us and we bless them, they persecute us and we endure everything; they speak evil against us, and ours are works of peace.  We have become like the scum of the earth, like the garbage of humankind until now.

I do not write this to shame you, but to warn you, as very dear children.  Because, even though you may have ten thousand guardians in the Christian life, you have only one FATHER; and it was I who gave you life in CHRIST through the gospel." - 1 Corinthians 4:8-15 

(The Corinthians feel rich in their faith, rich in their spiritual gifts.  They have made fair progress in the road of knowledge, and as people expert in the matter, they charitably look down on Paul, the poor Jewish preacher.

The apostle knows that his own culture and strong personality would have given him a bright future.  He sees at the same time the narrow-mindedness of his adversaries but allows them to make fun of him.  They think he is a fool, and in a way he is.  However, even if taken for a fool he brought them to CHRIST.)

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Reflections On Good And Evil

 "Do not be annoyed with evil people nor be envious of wrongdoers.

For they will fade as any green herb and soon be gone, like withered grass.

Trust in YAHWEH and do good; dwell in the land and live on it.

Make YAHWEH your delight; and HE will grant your heart's desire.

Commit your way to YAHWEH; put your trust in HIM and let HIM act.

Then will your revenge come, beautiful as the dawn, and the justification of your cause, bright as the noonday sun.

Keep calm before YAHWEH, wait for HIM in patience; do not fret if others succeed when they carry out evil schemes.

Refrain from anger, turn away from wrath; fret not, for it only leads to evil.

Remember this: the wicked will perish; but those who hope in YAHWEH will inherit the land."

- Psalm 37:1-9

(This psalm offers a very simple solution to the problem of evil which will satisfy few today.  Nevertheless, the act of faith that prompts is not only touching but also fully justified.  If this were not true, we could not recite the psalm with conviction.  But once we have enlarged the perspective, beyond this present life--which the psalmist has not done--we can take the psalm to ourselves.  The 'little longer' that a good man has to wait for his reward, may be all the rest of his life.  This is s short time, when he thinks of the life to come.  Besides, there is also the vertical perception: underneath, the denunciation of 'the wicked man,' he should see the condemnation of wickedness itself, in our own selves especially.)

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Everything Is Yours And You Belong To CHRIST

 "Do not deceive yourselves.  If anyone of you considers himself wise in the ways of the world, let him become a fool, so that he may become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in GOD's eyes.  To this, Scripture says: GOD catches the wise in their own wisdom.  It also says: The LORD knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is useless.

Because of this, let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you; Paul, Apollos, Cephas--life, death, the present and the future.  Everything is yours, and you, you belong to CHRIST, and CHRIST  is of GOD." - 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 

(Everything is yours and you belong to CHRIST.  We have here a decisive word on Christian freedom.

On the other hand, remember what non-believing philosophers have said: People created GOD out of their own misery.  Whatever was lacking in order for them to feel great and happy, they attributed to a superior being, who had everything.  In worshiping HIM, they felt identified with HIM and forgot their own misery.  This theory is not completely false: in fact people make idols for themselves, be they singers, athletes or politicians; and they feel happy when their idols have and do everything they themselves cannot do or have.  They die for causes not their own and they feel proud of people and institutions that exploit them.  A Christian is wary of authority becoming idols: he exists and thinks for himself.  Even in the Church he is face to face with GOD with no other intermediary but CHRIST,  and he does not indulge in the cult of personalities.)

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JESUS Is A Model Missionary

 "Leaving the synagogue, JESUS went to the house of Simon.  His mother-in-law was suffering from high fever, and they asked HIM to do something for her.  Bending over her, HE rebuked the fever, and it left her.  Immediately, she got up and waited on them.

At sunset, people suffering from many kinds of sickness were brought to JESUS.  Laying HIS hands on each one, HE healed them.  Demons were driven out, howling as they departed from their victims, 'You are the Son of GOD!'  HE rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, for they knew HE was the Messiah.

JESUS left at daybreak and looked for a solitary place.  People went out in search of HIM, and finding HIM, they tried to dissuade HIM from leaving.  But HE said, 'I have to go to other towns, to announce the good news of the kingdom of GOD.  That is what I was sent to do.'  And JESUS continued to preach in the synagogues of Galilee." - Luke 4:38-44 

(JESUS is a model missionary.  HE no sooner gathers a few believers together than they want to keep HIM for themselves, either because they see in HIM a true prophet, or want to form a true community under HIS guidance.

JESUS, however, leaves the task of shepherding [in the sense of guiding a specific community] to others, because HE has many more people in mind still awaiting the Gospel.)

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The Spirit Teaches Us Wisdom

 "GOD has revealed it to us, through HIS Spirit, because the Spirit probes everything, even the depth of GOD.

Who, but his own spirit, knows the secrets of a person?  Similarly, no one, but the Spirit of GOD, knows the secrets of GOD.  We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from GOD and, through HIM, we understand what GOD, in HIS goodness, has given us.

So we speak of this, not in terms inspired by human wisdom, but in a language taught by the Spirit, explaining a spiritual wisdom to spiritual persons.  The one who remains on the psychological level does not understand the things of the Spirit.  They are foolishness for him; and he does not understand, because they require a spiritual experience.  On the other hand, the spiritual person judges everything, but no one judges him.  Who has known the mind of GOD so as to teach HIM?  But we have the mind of CHRIST. - 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 

(Christian faith proposes that which no human doctrine, no religion could have given us.  At times, comparing ourselves with those who follow a spiritual way outside Christianity, it would seem that we are saying the same thing with different words.  This is partly true regarding our attitudes and our choices in life, but we should not be afraid to confess the riches GOD has given us in CHRIST: HIS Spirit gives us what no one has ever penetrated.

Such knowledge is not intellectual, it is a gift of the Spirit that sows and develops in us the one and only truth.  It is very difficult to give an explanation of a truly spiritual experience.  We can only speak of wisdom to those who have attained a certain spiritual level.  That is why Paul tells the Corinthians that most of them are unable to criticize him.

The one who remains on the psychological level.  [Paul says precisely: "the psychic man"] does not reach the truth of CHRIST.  However the spiritual person, not necessarily the intellectual person, knows by gift of GOD the things of GOD.)

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