Let The LORD Enter; HE Is The King Of Glory

 "The earth and its fulness belong to YAHWEH,

the world and all that dwell in it.

HE has founded it upon the ocean

and set it firmly upon the waters.

Who will ascend the mountain of YAHWEH?

Who will stand in HIS holy place?

Those with clean hands and pure heart, 

who desire not what is vain,

and never swear to a lie.

They will receive blessings from YAHWEH,

a reward from GOD, their savior.

Such are the people who seek HIM,

who seek the face of Jacob's GOD.

Lift up, O gateways, your lintels,

open up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may enter!

Who is the King of glory?

YAHWEH, the strong, the mighty,

YAHWEH, valiant in battle.

Lift up your lintels, O gateways,

open up, your ancient doors,

that the King of glory may enter!

Who is the King of glory?

YAHWEH of Hosts, 

HE is the King of glory!"

- Psalm 24:2-10

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

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HE HIMSELF Shall Be Peace

 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrata, 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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The Future Davidic King

 "YAHWEH further says, 'The day is coming when I will raise up a king who is David's righteous successor.  HE will rule wisely and govern with justice and righteousness.  That will be a grandiose era when Judah will enjoy peace and Israel will live in safety.  HE will be called YAHWEH-our-justice.'

'The days are coming,' says YAHWEH, 'when people shall no longer swear by YAHWEH as the living GOD who freed the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.  Rather, they will swear by YAHWEH as the living GOD who restored the descendants of Israel from the northern empire and from all the lands where HE had driven them, to live again in their own land.'" - Jeremiah 23:5-8

(GOD promises lasting peace.  The new people of GOD will be more than a mere continuation of the old kingdom of Israel, and the new king will be more than the earthly kings [see how JESUS develops this point in John 10]. 

Humankind hopes for unity in peace, and the Church now must offer the witness of different people gathered in CHRIST.  The reality, however, will be achieved only in the heavenly Jerusalem [Revelation 21:22].)

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The Promise Of Judah

 "Gather around, sons of Jacob.  And listen to your father Israel!

Judah, your brothers will praise you!

You shall seize your enemies by the neck!

Your father's sons shall bow before you.

Judah, a young lion!

You return from the prey, my son!

Like a lion he stoops and crouches,

and like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?

The scepter shall not be taken from Judah,

nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,

until he comes to whom it belongs, 

and who has the obedience of the nations." - Genesis 49:2. 8-10 

(Jacob's blessings do not go to his sons but to the twelve tribes bearing their names.  The future destiny of these tribes will vary greatly.  Jacob's blessing is a way of saying that these destinies were known to GOD beforehand and that they were part of HIS plan of salvation which benefits everyone, but does not give the same gift to everyone.

The two tribes of Judah and Joseph dominate.  This ancient prophecy seems to say that Judah would live apart from others until the coming of "the one the people would obey."  This text, however, is not clear in the original manuscripts.  Did they wish only to celebrate the coming of king David, or was it the announcement of a great destiny for the kingdom of Judah, or was it the expectation of a savior-king?  Actually the kings of the people of GOD and JESUS after them were to come from this tribe.  Judah here is considered as the heir of the promises made to Abraham and Jacob.)

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John Was A Shining Lamp

 "John also bore witness to the truth when you sent messengers to HIM, but I do not seek such human testimony; I recall this for you, so that you may be saved.

John was a burning and shining lamp and for a while you were willing to enjoy his light.  But I have greater evidence than that of John--the works which the FATHER entrusted to ME TO carry out.  The very works I do bear witness:  the FATHER  has sent ME." - John 5:33-36

(To gain a direction in life, we need some understanding of the world and humankind.  This understanding may come through reason and science, but more often we are influenced and guided by the testimony of others--by their words, attitudes and personal qualities.

It is thus those in love discover one another, friends accept each other, a career is decided upon, a religious or political commitment is made.  It is also thus that the word of GOD is discovered.  Therefore, JESUS speaks of the testimonies that accredit HIM:

- HIS works, that is, HIS miracles.

- John the Baptist's testimony in pointing HIM out as the Savior.

- the words of the Scriptures that refer to HIM.)

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John's Messengers

 "John's disciples informed him about all these things.  So John called two of his disciples  and sent them to the LORD with this message, 'Are you the one we are expecting or should we wait for another?'  These men came to JESUS and said, 'John the Baptist sent us to ask YOU:  Are YOU the one we are to expect, or should we wait for another?'

At that time, JESUS healed many people of their sicknesses and diseases; HE freed them from evil spirits and HE gave sight to the blind.  Then HE answered the messengers, 'Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard:  the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor are given good news.  Now, listen:  Fortunate are those who meet ME, and are not offended by ME.'" - John 7:18-23

(JESUS and John the Baptist.  The situation has been reversed.  John appeared as a great prophet, while JESUS began preaching in John's wake but without the same impact [3:18-20].  Now John is in prison and JESUS would take his place.  It might be more accurate to interpret his question as a pressing invitation:  "If YOU are the one who is to come, why so much delay?"

John's disciples did witness the cures, but the cures are not everything and JESUS adds:  the poor hear good news because evangelization restores hope and leaves people renewed.

The blind see, the lame walk...  The prophets foretold these signs [Isaiah 35:5] that were really something new, because in the past GOD usually manifested HIMSELF as a powerful savior.  These healings pointed to the liberation that JESUS was bringing:  not punishment of sinners [which was a great part of John the Baptist's preaching] but, before all else, reconciliation suited to healing a world of sinners, of violent and resentful people.

Fortunate are those who meet ME, and are not offended by ME.  And fortunate are those who do not doubt CHRIST's salvation after seeing the fruits of evangelization.  Fortunate are those who do not say:  this way is too slow.  The Gospel shows its richness in giving life to people, in restoring hope to those who have experienced weakness and sin.  It is necessary to have seen and understood that this is most important.

It does not matter if the world seems to continue to surrender to the forces of evil.  The presence of liberated people compels others to define themselves in terms of good and evil and this makes the world grow.

With this, JESUS answers the disciples of John, men who are self-sacrificing and concerned for the triumph of GOD's cause.  Perhaps they are so absorbed in their search for justice that they fail to recognize GOD's powerful working in JESUS' actions, which appeared so gentle and mild.)

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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 the 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

 

(This 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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JESUS' Authority

 "JESUS had entered the temple and was teaching, when the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the Jewish authorities came to HIM, and asked, 'What authority have YOU to act like this?  Who gave YOU authority to do all this?'

JESUS answered them, 'I will also ask you one question.  If you answer ME, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.'  Where did John's baptism come from?  From heaven or from people?'

They discussed this among themselves, saying, 'If we say, 'From heaven,' HE will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?'  And if we say, 'The baptism of John was merely something human', we've got to beware of the people, for all consider John to be a prophet.'  So they answered JESUS, 'We do not know.'

And JESUS said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.'" - Matthew 21:23-27

 

(JESUS is what we would call today a simple layman.  HE respects the priests of the people of GOD and their high priest.  HE shows however that if they want others to be accountable, for their part they must be ready to take a stand on the things of GOD when the people need this.  They had been and were unwilling to give such a response in the case of John the Baptist.)

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Shout For Joy, Daughter Of Zion!

 "Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, O people of Israel!  Sing joyfully with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!

YAHWEH has lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away.  YAHWEH, the King of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune.

On that day, they will say to Jerusalem: Do not be afraid nor let your hands tremble, for YAHWEH your GOD is within you, YAHWEH, saving warrior.  HE will jump for joy on seeing you, for HE has revived HIS love.  For you HE will cry out with joy, as you do in the days of the feast.

I will drive away the evil I warned you about, and you will no longer be shamed." - Zephaniah 3:14-18

 

(Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; YAHWEH, the King of Israel, is with you; do not fear any misfortune.  In the Gospel of Luke, the same words are addressed to Mary at the Annunciation: "Rejoice, the LORD is with you.  Do not fear, Mary, you will bear the Savior" [Luke 1:28].)

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Elijah Has Already Come

 "And as they came down the mountain, JESUS commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man be raised from the dead.

The disciples asked HIM, 'Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?'  JESUS answered, 'So it is: first comes Elijah; and he will restore all things.  But I tell you, Elijah has already come; and they did not recognize him; and they treated him as they pleased.  And they will also make the Son of Man suffer.'

Then the disciples understood that JESUS was referring to John the Baptist." - Matthew 17:9-13

(On going down the mountain, the apostles feel uneasy, "Why did Moses and Elijah speak of the imminent death of JESUS?"  They cling to their illusions, finding support in the Scriptures which said that Elijah had to return to earth to prepare the way before the Messiah would come, so that HE should not encounter any opposition [Malachi 3:1 and 4:23].

JESUS asserts again what HE had said many times: HE has to be rejected.  Not all that is written in Scripture is to be understood literally.  Elijah was not to return personally from heaven, but rather John the Baptist had already come as the new Elijah [Luke 1:16].)

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GOD Leads Us

 "Thus says YAHWEH, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, YAHWEH, your GOD, teach you what is best for you; I lead you in the way that you must go.

Had you paid attention to MY commandments, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Your descendants would have been like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their names never cut off nor blotted out from MY presence." - Isaiah 48:17-19

 

(In these verses the prophet looks at Israel's past, reminding us of what we read about the lost Paradise.  If they had obeyed, GOD's desire to lavish HIS blessings upon them would have been fulfilled, as well as GOD's promises to Abraham.

But GOD intervene again as the Redeemer of HIS people.)

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In Praise Of John The Baptist

 "I tell you this: no one greater than John the Baptist has arisen from among the sons of women; and yet, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is something to be conquered; and violent men seize it.

Up to the time of John, there was only prophesy: all the prophets and the law.  And if you believe ME, John is indeed that Elijah, whose coming was predicted.  Let anyone with ears listen!" - Matthew 11:11-15

 

(No one greater than John the Baptist has arisen.  This verse refers to a prophet or to a political leader.

The kingdom of heaven is something to be conquered.  This sentence could also be translated: "The kingdom of heaven is advancing forcefully."  The kingdom of GOD is the moving force that makes history progress, taking advantage of both gentle and violent changes in human life.  The believers are called to participate actively in this constant transformation.  Death and resurrection are at work among us and all over the world.)

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Orchestra Of Praise To GOD, King Of The World

 "Sing to YAHWEH a new song, for HE has done wonders; HIS right hand, HIS holy arm, has won victory for HIM.

YAHWEH has shown HIS salvation, revealing HIS justice to the nations.

HE has not forgotten HIS love, nor HIS faithfulness to Israel.  The farthest ends of the earth all have seen GOD 's saving power.

All you, lands, make a joyful noise to YAHWEH, break into song and sing praise, with melody of the lyre and with music of the harp.

With trumpet blast and sound of the horn, rejoice before the King, YAHWEH!

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

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

- Psalm 98:1-9

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

Sing to the LORD a new song.  Humanity has found the way to liberation and salvation.  It is in the coming of CHRIST, GOD-made-man and in HIS resurrection.

For the LORD came down to earth, showed us HIS love and also by HIS death and resurrection, the path to eternal salvation.)

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In Search Of The Stray

 "What do you think of this?  If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won't he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one?  And I tell you, when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it, than about the ninety-nine that did not go astray.  It is the same with your FATHER in heaven.  Your FATHER in heaven doesn't want even one of these little ones to perish." - Matthew 18:12-14

 

(The parable of the one hundred sheep is also found in the Gospel of Luke [15:1].  It teaches us several things: JESUS' special concern for sinners and those who stray and, therefore, the missionary dimension of HIS apostolate.  In fact, JESUS came "to seek and save the lost" [Luke 19:10], "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners" [Matthew 9:13].  This attitude should impel our parishes and Christian communities to constantly reach out to the unchurched and marginalized, instead of just working with those who already are in touch with the Church.)

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We Have Seen Incredible Things

 "One day, JESUS was teaching, and many Pharisees and teachers of the law had come from every part of Galilee and Judea, and even from Jerusalem.  They were sitting there, while the power of the LORD was at work to heal the sick.  Then some men brought a paralyzed man who lay on his mat.  They tried to enter the house to place him before JESUS, but they couldn't find a way through the crowd.  So they went up on the roof, and, removing the tiles, they lowered him on his mat into the middle of the crowd, in front of JESUS.

When JESUS saw their faith, HE said to the man, 'MY friend, your sins are forgiven.'  At once the teachers of the law and the Pharisees began to wonder, 'This man insults GOD!  Who can forgive sins, but GOD alone?'

But JESUS knew their thoughts and asked them, 'Why are you reacting like this?  Which is easier to say: 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Get up and walk'?  Now you shall know, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.'  And JESUS said to the paralyzed man. 'Get up, take your mat and go home.'  At once, the man stood before them.  He took up the mat he had been lying on, and went home praising GOD.

Amazement seized the people and they praised GOD.  They were filled with a holy fear, and said, 'What wonderful things we have seen today!'" - Luke 5:17-26

(There were many Pharisees and teachers of the law.  The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were not against JESUS yet, but being men who had received much religious formation, they were the first to wonder about JESUS' religious claims: was HE only a faithful believer respectful of GOD's law or was HE promoting a new sect?  JESUS took advantage of their presence to show that HE was not simply a disciple of Moses and the prophets, but the master of them all.

We easily understand why the teachers of the law were scandalized.  How could this man without studies or title, stand up to them as if HE were a teacher?  They were looking for the coming of a GOD who would confirm their teaching and acknowledge their merits.  JESUS, however, was in the midst of common folk and did not pay attention to the authority of the masters of the law who looked down on them.  Since the teachers of the law could not believe, their only recourse was to oppose JESUS.)

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The Salvation Of GOD

 "It was the fifteenth year of the rule of the Emperor Tiberius: Pontius Pilatus was governor of Judea; Herod ruled over Galilee, his brother Philip ruled over the country of Iturea and Trachonitis; and Lysanias ruled over Abilene.  Annas and Caiaphas were the High Priests at the time when the word of GOD came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the desert.

John proclaimed a baptism, for repentant people to obtain forgiveness of sins; and he went through the whole country bordering the Jordan River.  It was just as is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Listen to this voice crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the LORD, make HIS path straight!  The valleys will be filled and the mountains and hills made low.  Everything crooked will be made straight and the rough paths smooth; and every human being will see the salvation of GOD!'" - Luke 3:1-6

(Luke provides us with facts that enable us to situate JESUS in history.  It is the year 27after CHRIST and actually JESUS is about thirty to thirty-five years old.  The Jews have lost their autonomy, and their country is divided into four small provinces.  Herod and Philip, sons of the Herod mentioned at the birth of JESUS [see Matthew 2:1] rule over two of these provinces.

In the first two chapters Luke has shown us how the Son of GOD inserted HIMSELF into humanity.  As Paul says in his letter to the Galatians, HE was "born of a woman, subject to the law" [Galatians 4:7] which means that HE had to be formed by a culture, marked by HIS era, limited by the human context of HIS time.  We are now going to see that HE did not begin HIS mission in a grandiose way with prodigious miracles but very simply entered a movement initiated by another one, John the Baptist.

The first paragraph shows how the Holy Land was divided, a challenge to the promises of GOD.  In the case of several high priests there was contempt for the law of GOD, for the high priests should succeed each other, father to son, and remained in office all their lives.  In this degrading situation a new element would rock the people: the preaching of John the Baptist.

Listen to this voice crying out in the desert.  The text which follows is from Isaiah [40:3] John renews the tradition of the prophets after four centuries of interruption and like many among them, he speaks of an imminent judgment.  To confront the judgment of GOD is always most fearful and John speaks of rebuilding a sense of justice.  John speaks of the punishment to come.

John awakens the expectation of a savior.  It is easy for us to say that the savior was JESUS and that GOD's judgment would come a few years later with the war that destroyed the Jewish nation, but for those who were hearing John it was difficult to imagine what this savior might be.)

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"The Harvest Is Abundant, But The Workers Are Only Few."

 "JESUS went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and HE cured every sickness and disease.  When HE saw the crowds, HE was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then HE said to HIS disciples, 'The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few.  Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather HIS harvest.'" - Matthew 9:35-38

 

(With this paragraph that briefly summarizes the ministry of JESUS in Galilee, Matthew intends to show that indeed the kingdom of GOD is there: evil has been given a fatal blow.

HE was moved with pity, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  See Numbers 27:17; Ezekiel 34:5; Zechariah 10:3; John 4:35; Mark 6:34; and Luke 10:2.)

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JESUS Cures The Blind Men

 "As JESUS moved on from there, two blind men followed HIM, shouting, 'Son of David, help us!'  When HE was about to enter the house, the blind men caught up with HIM; and JESUS said to them, 'Do you believe that I AM able to do what you want?'  They answered, 'Yes, sir!'

Then JESUS touched their eyes and said, 'As you have believed, so let it be.'  And their eyes were opened.  Then JESUS gave them a stern warning, 'Be careful that no one knows about this.'  But as soon as they went away, they spread the news about HIM through the whole area." - Matthew 9:27-31

 

(Two blind men followed HIM shouting.  In what manner, if they were blind?  Stumbling and being carried by others perhaps.  When you sin, shout to the LORD and keep on looking for CHRIST.)

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House On Rock

 "Not everyone who says to ME, 'LORD!  LORD!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of MY heavenly FATHER.

'Therefore, anyone who hears these words of MINE, and acts according to them, is like a wise man, who built his house on rock.  The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house.  But it did not collapse, because it was built on rock.  But anyone who hears these words of MINE, and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand.  The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible collapse that was!'" - Matthew 7:21. 24-27

 

(Anyone who hears these words of mine.  JESUS means those who listen to HIS words and are converted: they believe themselves already saved.  If they do not use their initial enthusiasm to build their lives on solid foundations, such as scriptural meditation, generosity, resistance to evil inclinations, sharing in the Christian community--then everything will tumble down later.)

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The LORD Will Provide

 "On this mountain YAHWEH SABAOTH will prepare for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, meat full of marrow, fine wine strained.

On this mountain HE will destroy the pall cast over all peoples, this very shroud spread over all nations, and death will be no more.  The LORD YAHWEH will wipe away the tears from all cheeks and eyes; HE will take away the humiliation of HIS people all over the world:

for YAHWEH has spoken.

On that day you will say: This is our GOD.  We have waited for HIM to save us, let us be glad and rejoice in HIS salvation.  For on this mountain the hand of YAHWEH rests.

Moab instead will be trodden down, as straw trodden down on a dunghill." - Isaiah 25:6-10

 

(The text recalls that this victory is only one stage: the great hope is "the banquet of the elect" after the judgment when GOD will destroy death.  John will use these images in Revelations 7:17 and 21:4.)

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They Tried To Achieve Their Own Righteousness

 "My brothers and sisters, I wish, with all my heart, that the Jews be saved, and I pray to GOD for them.  I can testify, that they are zealous for GOD, but this is not the way.  They don't know GOD's way of righteousness, and they try to achieve their own righteousness: this is why they did not enter GOD's way of righteousness.  For CHRIST is the aim of the law, and it is, then, that the believer reaches this righteousness." - Romans 10:1-4

(Paul continues to develop the same theme of Israel's unbelief using the Jewish method of discussion of the time.  He distinguishes in Scripture various lines of thought.  Apparently a great number of Old Testament texts only speak of fidelity in keeping the commandments but other texts make more of the gratuity of GOD's gift.  This once more makes clear that there is not "one" religion of the Scriptures: it is not enough to read any text and take it literally [which is called "fundamentalism"].  Scripture gives us a series of testimonies where we recognize a path and a pedagogy from GOD.  Throughout the centuries and in different cultures, Jewish and then Greek, HE leads HIS people to the fulness of truth.)

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Let Us Go Rejoicing To The House Of The LORD

 "I rejoiced with those who said to me,

'Let us go to the house of YAHWEH!'

And now we have set foot

within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem, just like a city,

where everything falls into place!

There, the tribes go up,

the tribes of YAHWEH, the assembly of Israel,

to give thanks to YAHWEH's name.

There stand the courts of justice,

the offices of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

'May those who love you prosper!

May peace be within your walls

and security within your citadels!'

For the sake of my relatives and friends

I will say, 'Peace be with you!'

For the sake of the house of our YAHWEH,

I will pray for your good.

- Psalm 122:1-9

(Joy of the pilgrim who reaches his goal at last--Jerusalem, elected home of GOD, venerable in the tradition of Israel.  Here is a deep sense of homecoming and of pride in that home.  We of the world-wide 'Israel of GOD' have no city to house us all; we are 'of the household of the faith' [Galatians 6:10].  But we have the brothers and sisters whom JESUS promised to those in HIS company [Mark 9:30]; we have a home which we call 'the Church.'  It stands scarred with years of siege but, by GOD's grace, compact and dignified by the marks of resistance.  We may take pride in it because the strength of its walls is from GOD.  It will never have peace from without; let us pray and work for its peace within, which is 'the love of brethren.')

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Your Redemption Is At Hand

 "'Be on your guard: don't immerse yourselves in a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you unaware, like a trap!  For, like a snare, will that day come upon all the inhabitants of the earth.  But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.'" - Luke 21:34-36

(Be on your guard.  After speaking about the imminent end of Jerusalem, Luke speaks of that day which will conclude human history with the coming of CHRIST, the Judge.

This invitation is not only addressed to those who will know that day, but it is for everyone, throughout the history of the Church.  Once more HE invites us to watch and pray while the world is asleep [see Ephesians 6:18].

That you may be able to stand: to avoid errors and deceit [2 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:13] during the trials preceding CHRIST's coming.  The Our Father expresses the same concern.  Those who are expecting the coming of the kingdom pray: do not put us to the test.

In fact, vigils and prayers do more than just prevent possible falls.  When the believer and the Church are more awake, they cooperate more in the development of the divine plan and hasten the coming of the LORD.)

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What Is The Meaning Of The Sword That Will Pierce Mary's Soul?

 "Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, HIS mother, 'Know this: your son is a sign; a sign established for the falling and rising of many in Israel, a sign of contradiction; and a sword will pierce your own soul, so that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.'

There was also a prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  After leaving her father's home, she had been seven years with her husband; and since then, she had been continually about the temple, serving GOD, as a widow, night and day, in fasting and prayer." - Luke 2:34-36

 

(Mary and Joseph went to the temple to fulfill a ritual of the Jewish religion [Leviticus 12:8].  JESUS being a firstborn male must be consecrated to GOD [Exodus 13:1].

Simeon and Anna like Mary and Joseph belong to the "small remnant of Israel."  This minority of GOD's people live their faith in humility and faithfulness to the prophets' teaching: GOD knows how to make HIMSELF known to them.

What is the meaning of the sword that will pierce Mary's soul?  It indicates Mary's grief upon seeing her Son die on the cross.  It also signifies that Mary will suffer because she will not always understand what her Son does.  The best-shared love will not prevent each from remaining a mystery to the other, and more so for GOD than for anyone else.  GOD does not watch our fidelity from heaven, but rather seeks us [HE tries us in the sense of asking us to reveal ourselves].  The love of the FATHER will be Mary's cross just as it would be for JESUS.)

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Heaven And Earth Will Pass Away, But MY Words Will Not Pass Away

 "And JESUS added this comparison, 'Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.  As soon as their buds sprout, you know that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of GOD is near.  Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all this has happened.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will not pass away.'" - Luke 21:29-33

(JESUS talks about HIS glorious coming.  Then JESUS again asserts two things: the events and signs that refer to the end of Jerusalem will take place in the present generation.  The day of JESUS will come much later.)

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The Signs Of The Times

 "'When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland.  If you are in Judea, flee to the mountains!  If you are in Jerusalem, leave!  If you are outside the city, don't enter it!

For these will be the days of its punishment, and all that was announced in the Scriptures will be fulfilled.  How hard will it be for pregnant women, and for mothers with babies at the breast!  For a great calamity will come upon the land, and wrath upon this people.  They will be put to death by the sword, or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans, until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.

Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, perplexed when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves.  People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken.  Then, at that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

So, when you see things begin to happen, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near.'" - Luke 21:20-28

(For a great calamity will come upon the land.  Luke foretells the destruction of the Jewish nation more clearly than Matthew and Mark do.

Until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.  Luke divides history into two ages.  One corresponds to the Old Testament: that was the time when Sacred History was almost the same as the history of Israel.  Then, after JESUS, came the time of the nations.  The destruction of the Jewish nation and the dispersal of its people inaugurated a new era, which would be mostly the history of the evangelization and education of the nations by the Church.  We could call that period the times of the New Testament, which will end with the great crisis concluding human history.)

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By Your Patient Endurance You Will Save Your Souls

 "Before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you; you will be delivered to the synagogues and put in prison, and for MY sake you will be brought before kings and governors.  This will be your opportunity to bear witness.

So keep this in mind: do not worry in advance about what to say, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will  be able to withstand or contradict.

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.  But even though, because of MY name, you will be hated by everyone, not a hair of your head will perish.  By your patient endurance you will save your souls." - Luke 21:12-19

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

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The End Of The World

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Widow's Mite

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

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

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The Alpha And The Omega

 "... and from JESUS CHRIST, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To HIM who loves us, and has washed away our sins with HIS own blood, making us a kingdom, and priests for GOD, HIS FATHER,

to HIM, be the glory and power, for ever and ever.  Amen.

See, HE comes with the clouds, and everyone will see HIM, even those who pierced HIM; on HIS account, all the nations of the earth will beat their breast.  Yes.  It will be so.

'I AM the Alpha and the Omega,' says the LORD GOD, 'the one who IS, and who WAS, and who IS to come: the Master of the universe.'" - Revelation 1:5-8

 

(The one who IS and who WAS, and who IS to come.  This way of naming GOD expands what was revealed to Moses: "I AM who AM" [Exodus 3].  The living GOD is a GOD who is coming.

Then CHRIST is presented as the Messiah and Judge hoped for by the Jews.  HE comes with the clouds.  In HIS trial, JESUS also referred to this text of the prophet Daniel [7:13].

All the nations of the earth will lament HIM.  See this prophecy of the murdered Messiah: "the one they pierced" in Zechariah 12:10.

The Alpha and the Omega [that is A to Z].  This suggests that GOD embraces all time.

Revelation is addressed to Christians who are beginning to suffer for their faith, and shows CHRIST to them, as the model they are imitating.  CHRIST is the "servant and the witness of GOD the FATHER."  Let us not forget that martyr means witness.)

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Last Days Of Antiochus Epiphanes

 "When king Antiochus was making his way through the upper regions of Persia, he received news about Elymais, a city renowned for its wealth in silver and gold.  They kept in the wealthy temple of their city golden armor, breastplates and weapons, left there by the Macedonian king, Alexander, the son of Philip, the first sovereign of the Greeks.  So Antiochus went there.  But the inhabitants came out armed against him when they learned of his intention, so his attempt to take the city failed.  He had to turn back; and he returned much embittered to Babylon.

While he was still in Persia, it was reported to him that the armies sent to Judea had been defeated.  They told him that although Lysias had gone with a strong army, he had to flee before the Jews, who had been strengthened with the weapons and the abundant booty taken from the neighboring armies.  He heard, too, that the Jews had destroyed the abominable idol he had erected on the altar in Jerusalem; and had rebuilt the temple walls to the same height as before; and had also fortified the city of Beth-zur.

When he received this news, he was terrified and deeply upset.  He fell sick and became greatly depressed because things had not turned out the way he had planned.  So he remained overcome by this terrible anguish for many days.  He felt that he was dying, so he called his friends and said to them, 'Sleep has fled from my eyes and I am greatly crushed by my anxieties.  And I keep on asking why such grief has come upon me--I who was generous and well-loved when in power--and now I am so discouraged.

Now I remember the evils I did in Jerusalem, the vessels of gold and silver that I stole, the inhabitants of Judea I ordered to be killed for no reason at all.  I now know, that because of this, these misfortunes have come upon me; and I am dying of grief in a strange land.'" - 1 Maccabees 6:1-13

 

(The end of Antiochus Epiphanes is presented as an example of how the persecutors die.  We find another story, different from this, in 2 Maccabees 9.)

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"MY House Shall Be A House Of Prayer, But You Have Turned It Into A Den Of Robbers!"

 "Then JESUS entered the temple area and began to drive out the merchants.  And HE said to them, 'GOD says in the Scriptures, MY house shall be a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of robbers!'

JESUS was teaching every day in the temple.  The chief priests and teachers of the law wanted to kill HIM, and the elders of the Jews as well, but they were unable to do anything, for all the people were listening to HIM and hanging on HIS words." - Luke 19:45-48

(JESUS was not a priest or a temple guard but this temple was the house of HIS FATHER.  That was why HE made a whip from ropes and cast them all out.

MY house will be called a House of Prayer for all the nations.  The courtyards where the vendors stood were precisely those intended for the foreigners.  "Purify the temple" for JESUS is to give it back its true identity and also to allow the pagans to find in these courts a privileged place for meeting GOD.)

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Mattathias Unleashes The Holy War

 "In the meantime, the king's representatives, who were forcing the Jews to give up their religion came to Modein to organize a sacred gathering. 

While many Israelites went to them, Mattathias and his sons drew apart.

The representatives of the king addressed Mattathias, and said to him: 'You are one of the leaders of this city, an important and well-known man, and your many children and relatives follow you.  Come now, and be the first to fulfill the king's order, as the men of Judah have already done, and the survivors in Jerusalem as well.  You and your sons will be named friends of the king and the king will send you gold, silver and many other gifts.'

But Mattathias answered in a loud voice: 'Even if all the nations included in the kingdom should abandon the religion of their ancestors and submit to the order of king Antiochus, I, my sons and my family will remain faithful to the Covenant of our ancestors.  May GOD preserve us from abandoning the law and its precepts.  We will not obey the orders of the king nor turn aside from our religion either to the right or to the left.'

When he finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward, in the sight of everyone, to offer incense on the altar that was built in Modein, according to the king's decree.  When Mattathias saw him, he was fired with zeal.  His heart was stirred; and giving vent to his righteous anger, he threw himself on the Jew and cut the man's throat on the altar.  At the same time, he killed the king's representative who was forcing the people to offer sacrifice; and then tore down the altar.  In doing this, he showed his zeal for the law, as Phinehas had done with Zimri, son of Salu.

Mattathias then began to proclaim loudly in the city: 'Everyone who is zealous for the law and supports the Covenant, come out and follow me!'  Immediately he and his sons fled to the mountains and left behind all they had in the city.

Many Jews who looked for justice and wanted to be faithful to the law went into the desert." - 1 Maccabees 2:15-29

 

(The entire book will deal with the war under the leadership of the Maccabean family, namely, Mattathias' sons.  Here we have the story of the rebellion of Mattathias, the priest who suddenly becomes the leader of the persecuted.

I, my sons and my family will remain faithful to the Covenant.  Their motive is religious and national at the same time: Mattathias risks everything against a totalitarian power.  Once again, GOD shows HIS kindness toward HIS people, by making the needed leader emerge, a man who, like Moses, sides totally with the people, when he could have easily obtained the favor of the powerful.)

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Martyrdom Of The Seven Brothers

 "It happened also that seven brothers were arrested with their mother.  The king had them scourged and flogged to force them to eat the flesh of a pig which was prohibited by the law.

More than all of them, their mother ought to be admired and remembered.  She saw her seven sons die in a single day.  But she endured it even with joy for she had put her hope in the LORD.  Full of a noble sense of honor, she encouraged each one of them in the language of their ancestors.  Her woman's heart was moved by manly courage, so she told them:

'I wonder how you were born of me; it was not I who gave you breath and life, nor I who ordered the matter of your body.  The Creator of the world who formed man in the beginning and ordered the unfolding of all creation shall in HIS mercy, give you back breath and life, since you now despise them for love of HIS laws.'

Antiochus thought that she was making fun of him and suspected that she had insulted him.  As the youngest was still alive, the king tried to win him over not only with his words, but even promised to make him rich and happy, if he would abandon the traditions of his ancestors.  He would make him his Friend and appoint him to a high position in the kingdom.  But as the young man did not pay him any attention, the king ordered the mother to be brought in.  He urged her to advise her son in order to save his life.  After being asked twice by the king, she agreed to persuade her son.  She bent over him and fooled the cruel tyrant by saying in her ancestral language:

'My son, have pity on me.  For nine months I carried you in my womb and suckled you for three years; I raised you up and educated you until this day.  I ask you now, my son, that when you see the heavens, the earth and all that is in it, you know that GOD made all this from nothing, and the human race as well.  Do not fear these executioners, but make yourself worthy of your brothers--accept death that you may again meet your brothers in the time of mercy.'

When she finished speaking, the young man said, 'What are you waiting for?  I do not obey king's order but the precepts of the law given by Moses to our ancestors.  And you who have devised such tortures against the Hebrews, shall not escape the hands of GOD.'" - 2 Maccabees 7:1. 20-31

 

(In relating the martyrdom of these seven brothers, whose names are unknown, the author places on their lips a declaration of their faith in immortality.  This is the most valuable message of the book.

In the previous centuries, GOD's promises were for the people as a whole.  The believer only hoped for the life and prosperity of his race.

Here, we have a giant step in the faith: the resurrection of individuals.  It is not only the hope for survival of the spirit, or the soul: the believer thinks he will be raised as a person to meet GOD.  In Ezekiel 37, in the vision of the dry bones, GOD was promising to raise HIS people who had died.  Here, every person hopes to rise, body and soul, to share the happiness that GOD promised and will give on the final day.

If martyrs are not raised, how would GOD achieve justice?)

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"Do Not Be Afraid. I Have Conquered The World."

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

How numerous are they who rise against me!

How many are they who say of my soul:

'There is no help for him in GOD!'

But YOU are my shield, O YAHWEH,

my glory; YOU lift up my head.

Aloud I cry to YAHWEH,

and from HIS holy Hill HE answers me.

If I lie down to sleep,

again I awake, for YAHWEH supports me;

no fear of the thousands standing against me.

- Psalm 3:2-3. 4-5. 6-7

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

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

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The Blind Man Of Jericho

 "When JESUS drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging.  As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening, and they told him that JESUS of Nazareth was going by.  Then he cried out, 'JESUS, Son of David, have mercy on me!'  The people in front of him scolded him.  'Be quiet!' they said, but he cried out all the more, 'JESUS, Son of David, have mercy on me!'

JESUS stopped, and ordered the blind man to be brought to HIM; and when he came near, JESUS asked him, 'What do you want ME to do for you?'  And the man said, 'LORD, that I may see!'  JESUS said, 'Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.'  At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed JESUS, giving praise to GOD.  And all the people who were there also praised GOD." - Luke 18:35-43

 

(GOD is the one who moves us to ask something of HIM.  The blind man understands that if he lets this opportunity go by, there will not be another chance, which is why he shouts all the more while the rest try to silence him.

Son of David!  was a way of designating the Messiah.)

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The Coming Of The Son Of Man

 "Later on in those days, after that disastrous time, the sun will grow dark, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall out of the sky, and the whole universe will be shaken.  Then people will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.  And HE will send the angels to gather HIS chosen people from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.

Learn a lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branches become tender and it begins to sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the time is near, even at the door.  Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all this has happened.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will not pass away.

But, regarding that day and that hour, no one knows when it will come, not even the angels, not even the Son, but only the FATHER." - Mark 13:24-32

(Later on...  After announcing the end of the Jewish world, JESUS speaks of an even more important event: the end of the world or, better still, its transformation.

The sun will grow dark, the moon will not give its light.  These are images taken from Isaiah 13:10 and 34:4 that express the confusion, the surprise and the disintegration of the people and the universe before the majesty of the Supreme Judge.

HE will send the angels.  This is also a common image in Jewish books that spoke of GOD's judgment.  Likewise, the trumpet referred to in Matthew 24:31 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16 should not be understood literally.

Learn a lesson.  JESUS comes back to the destruction of Jerusalem.

In Verse 32, we return to the end of the world.  The Day mentioned is the day of the Judgment, called the "Day of YAHWEH" in the Prophets [Amos 5:18; Zephaniah 1:15].

No one knows when...  JESUS states it clearly.  Nevertheless, there have always been people who believe they know what the angels do not.  People in every century have foretold the impending end of the world [2 Thessalonians 2].

Not even the angels, not even the Son, but only the FATHER.  Some are confused by this.  Does this not mean that JESUS is not GOD as the FATHER IS?  They must remember that when JESUS speaks of the FATHER and the Son, HE speaks of HIMSELF with HIS human consciousness in relation to the FATHER.  GOD's infinite knowledge cannot be encompassed by the human mind of JESUS.  

GOD the FATHER can communicate to JESUS certain prophecies but HE cannot tell HIM, for example: "the end of the world will take place on the 12th of July of the year 2049" because the date is not fixed; it depends on how we make the kingdom of GOD mature through our efforts and prayers [2 Peter 3:14].

Modern science shows that time does not pass at the same speed for two persons if one is moving and the other is still; much less equal is the pace of time between GOD and us.  GOD knows the time as it can be known in eternity, but this does not mean that it corresponds with a certain date in our calendar.)

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Pray And Never Lose Heart

 "JESUS told them a parable, to show them that they should pray continually, and not lose heart.  HE said, 'In a certain town there was a judge, who neither feared GOD nor people.  In the same town there was a widow, who kept coming to him, saying, 'Defend my rights against my adversary!'  For a time he refused, but finally he thought, 'Even though I neither fear GOD nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much, I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out.'

And JESUS said, 'Listen to what the evil judge says.  Will GOD not do justice for HIS chosen ones, who cry to HIM day and night, even HE delays in answering them?  I tell you, HE will speedily do them justice.  But, when the Son of Man comes, will HE find faith on earth?'" - Luke 18:1-8

 

(If there is a just GOD, why does HE not do justice?  [Psalm 44:24; Hebrews 1; Zechariah 1:12; Revelation 6:10].  JESUS answers: Do you desire and ask for the justice of GOD with enough faith?  HE will undoubtedly do justice, but you will have to wait.

A judge who neither feared GOD nor people: many people upon seeing what is unjust and absurd in life, view GOD this way.  If we pray with perseverance, we will gradually discover that things are not as absurd as they seem, and we will come to recognize the face of the GOD who loves us in what happens.

Who cry to HIM day and night.  JESUS, who so insists on our responsibility to the world, is the one who also urges us to call on GOD day and night.  Why are people so readily divided [or why do we divide them] into prayers and doers?

Will HE find faith on earth?  JESUS confirms an opinion already found among the Jews on HIS days.  In the last days before Judgment, the power of evil will be so great that in many love will grow cold [Matthew 24:12].

In fact, with the first coming of CHRIST, the Old Testament ended in seeming failure; few had believed in HIM and, later, most were influenced by the confusion, the false saviors and the violence which precipitated the fall of the nation forty years after the death of JESUS.) 

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