YAHWEH Has Opened My Ear

 "The LORD YAHWEH has taught me

so I speak as HIS disciple

and I know how to sustain the weary.

Morning after morning HE wakes me up

to hear, to listen like a disciple.

The LORD YAHWEH has opened my ear.

I have not rebelled,

nor have I withdrawn.

I offered my back to those who strike me,

my cheeks to those who pulled my beard;

neither did I shield my face

from blows, spittle and disgrace.

I have not despaired,

for the LORD YAHWEH comes to my help.

So, like a flint I set my face,

knowing that I will not be disgraced.

HE who avenges me is near.

Who then will accuse me?

Let us confront each other.

Who is now my accuser?

Let him approach.

If the LORD YAHWEH is my help,

who will condemn me?

All of them will wear out like cloth;

the moth will devour them.

- Isaiah 50:4-9

("Who is the prophet talking about?" [Acts 8:34].  Actually the servant could be as in 49:1 the faithful minority, but it could also be, perhaps, the prophet himself, or who knows, a "Prophet" who is to come?  The author refuses to choose between servant and servants.

Former prophets met with the same opposition.  Moses had to endure a rebellious people; Jeremiah had been persecuted and imprisoned [see Jeremiah 20:7 and 37].  On the basis of these examples, we see a profile and mission of the perfect servant of YAHWEH.  This will be JESUS, but every one of HIS prophets can apply all these words to himself or herself.

Note the beginning of the poem.  The Servant will be able to transmit the word and to encourage on behalf of GOD because he himself listens every morning and keeps his ears open.  To sustain those who are tired, we must be taught by GOD: the true prophet is a person of prayer, open to the spirit of GOD.  "No one but the spirit of GOD knows the secrets of GOD... and through HIM we understand what GOD in HIS goodness has given us" [1 Corinthians 2:11-12].)

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YAHWEH Called Me From My Mother's Womb

 "Listen to me, O islands,

pay attention, people from distant lands.

YAHWEH called me from my mother's womb;

HE pronounced my name before I was born.

HE made my mouth like a sharpened sword.

HE hid me in the shadow of HIS hand.

HE made me into a polished arrow

set apart in HIS quiver.

HE said to me, 'You are Israel, MY servant,

Through you I will be known.'

'I have labored in vain,' I thought,

'and spent my strength for nothing.'

Yet what is due me was in the hand of YAHWEH,

and my reward was with my GOD.

I am important in the sight of YAHWEH,

and my GOD is my strength.

And now YAHWEH has spoken,

HE who formed me in the womb to be HIS servant,

to bring Jacob back to HIM,

to gather Israel to HIM.

HE said: 'It is not enough

that you be MY servant,

to restore the tribes of Jacob,

to bring back the remnant of Israel.

I will make you the light of the nations,

that MY salvation will reach to the ends of the earth.'"

- Psalm 49:1-6

(Who is speaking in these verses?  They are the Judean exiles at Babylon [some years later they will be called the Jews].  And it is not a lamentation but rather a thanksgiving to GOD who has chosen them in a very special way for a unique mission.

The hope and the future of Israel have been entrusted to them, not to those remaining in the motherland.  Soon hey will return and gather the remnant of the tribes o Jacob, which means not only their kins in the ex-kingdom of Judah, but also the other in the northern kingdom.

From that moment on the dream of a final gathering of the whole people of GOD enters the Scriptures, and the Gospel will announce that this goal will be achieved through and in CHRIST: John 11:12.

But there is more, for GOD wants this small group of exiles to bring to the nations the light of salvation.  This marks the opening of the times of mission.  The Jews will be the messengers of the only GOD and of HIS law in the world.  Those who welcome CHRIST will call on the pagans to the faith and Spirit will be bestowed to them [Galatians 3:14].  A humiliated people will be YAHWEH's hidden arrow, HIS definitive weapon: through them GOD will unbare HIS madness which is wiser than human wisdom [1 Corinthians 1:21].

YAHWEH called me from my mother's womb.  These were Jeremiah's words [1:5].  All that follows can be interpreted both of the believing minority or of the one who fully lives a prophetic vocation.  Is the servant a single person, or is he a people of prophets?  The apostles of JESUS quickly understood that the present text applied first to HIM.  HE is the Word and the two-edged sword [Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 19:15].

Paul in turn will take for himself these verses: Galatians 1:15; Acts 13:47; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 12:8.  This double interpretation, personal and collective, should not surprise us for the unique Savior is never a lonely savior.  JESUS wanted to be identified with those who believe, who suffer and persevere to prepare for the salvation of the world.)

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Our Fathers And Mothers Must Leave Us In The End, But Our FATHER In Heaven, Never!

 "YAHWEH is my light and my salvation

--whom shall I fear?

YAHWEH is the rampart of my life;

I will not be afraid.

When the wicked rush at me

to devour my flesh,

it is my foes who stumble,

my enemies fall.

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart will not fail;

though war break out against me,

I will still be confident.

I hope, I am sure,

that I will see the goodness of YAHWEH

in the land of the living.

Trust in YAHWEH, be strong and courageous

yes, put your hope in YAHWEH!"

- Psalm 27:1. 2. 3. 13-14

(It is not surprising that high confidence should suddenly give way to urgent appeal.  Peter jumped into the lake without a thought, but he was soon shouting 'LORD, save me.'  Moreover, the confidence returns, even in the second part of the psalm, Our fathers and mothers must leave us in the end, but our FATHER in heaven, never!

The anonymous voice of the last verse proposes and ratifies: courage rather than fear; hope rather than discouragement.  This is true too for the Christian; before danger, there is a word of encouragement, for instance in John 16:33 and Matthew 14:26.  Here is a beautiful prayer to cultivate the absolute trust of the believer in GOD.

All the struggles, trials and temptations will not let us forget the house of the LORD at the end of the road.) 

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HE Did Not Regard Equality With GOD

 "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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To Truly Become The New People Of GOD, The Church Must Be One Even In Its Visible Structure

 "You will then say to them: Thus says YAHWEH: I AM about to withdraw the Israelites from where they were among the nations.  I shall gather them from all around and bring them back to their land.  I shall make them into one people on the mountains of Israel; and one king is to be king of them all.  They will no longer form two nations or be two separate kingdoms, nor  will they defile themselves again with their idols, their detestable practices and their sins.  I shall free them from the guilt of their treachery; I shall cleanse them; and they will be for ME a people, and I shall be GOD for them.  MY servant David will reign over them, one shepherd for all.  They will live according to MY laws and follow and practice MY decrees.  They will settle in the land I gave to MY servant Jacob where their ancestors lived.  There, they will live forever, their children and their children's children.  David, MY servant, will be their prince forever.

I shall establish a Covenant of peace with them, an everlasting Covenant.  I shall settle them; and they will increase; and I shall put MY Sanctuary in their midst forever.  I shall make MY home at their side; I shall be their GOD and they will be MY people.  Then the nations will know that I AM YAHWEH who makes Israel holy, having MY Sanctuary among them forever.'" - Ezekiel 37:21-28 

(The Jewish nation's "original sin" was its division since Solomon's death.

In the restored Israel the division would be removed and healed: there would be one people and one shepherd [see John 10:16].

Even after the exiles came back from Babylon, Israel understood that she had to gather her children who had emigrated all over the world.  JESUS, likewise, intended to gather all the scattered children of GOD [John 15:52], since HE did not come for the Jews alone, but for all those who do not belong to the flock also [John 10].

If we reflect on this extensive mission of JESUS' disciples, it becomes evident that the word "assemble" does not mean to gather together all the nations into one, or impose on them the same institutions.  For them it is a matter of forming one living body where all that is human and the uniqueness of each one may flourish.  Such a unity is a gift of GOD: to have reached it would mean that we have arrived at the end of history.

Meanwhile, to truly become the New People of GOD, the Church must be one even in its visible structure.  To become divided is to revert to the sin of Jeroboam.)

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Know That The FATHER Is In ME, And I In The FATHER

 "The Jews then picked up stones to throw at HIM; so JESUS said, 'I have openly done many good works among you, which the FATHER gave ME to do.  For which of these do you stone ME?'

The Jews answered, 'We are not stoning YOU for doing a good work, but for insulting GOD; YOU are only a man, and YOU make YOURSELF GOD.'

Then JESUS replied, 'Is this not written in your law: I said, you are gods?  So those who received this word of GOD were called gods, and the Scripture is always true.  What then should be said of the one anointed, and sent into the world, by the FATHER?  AM I insulting GOD when I say, 'I AM the Son of GOD'?

If I AM not doing the works of MY FATHER, do not believe ME.  But if I do them, even if you have no faith in ME, believe because of the works I do; and know that the FATHER is in ME, and I in the FATHER.'

Again they tried to arrest HIM, but JESUS escaped from their hands.  HE went away again to the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John had baptized, and there HE stayed.

Many people came to JESUS, and said, 'John worked no miracles, but he spoke about YOU, and everything he said was true,'  And many in that place became believers." - John 10:31-42

(In the Scriptures angels are sometimes called sons of GOD, and JESUS remarks that the rulers are called gods.  Because of this, JESUS did not like to be proclaimed Son of GOD.  HE speaks forcefully in saying: the FATHER is in ME, and I in the FATHER: equal to equal.  At the same time that HE stresses HIS divine power, HE also affirms HIS total dependence on the FATHER.  In this we recognize GOD the Son.)

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Here I AM To Do YOUR Will

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

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

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

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

 (The verses say that we passed from a religion where everything is a continual beginning again to a new state where we are in the definitive now.  Here we have an aspect of the Christian faith that is not easy to accept.  Are we alone holding the definitive truth in the midst of so many religions in which all presume to have the truth?  Are we in a definitive situation when every day we fall into the same sins?  Are we the definitive people of GOD when the Christian witness in the world is so far from convincing?  No one will answer our doubts on this point: our only hope is to personally enter more deeply into the Christian experience.)

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The Truth Will Set You Free, And: The SON Makes You Free

 "JESUS went on to say to the Jews who believed in HIM, 'You will be MY true disciples, if you keep MY word.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'  They answered HIM, 'We are the descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves of anyone.  What do YOU mean by saying: You will be free?'

JESUS answered them, 'Truly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave.  But the slave doesn't stay in the house forever; the Son stays forever.  So, if the Son makes you free, you will be really free.

I know that you are the descendants of Abraham; yet you want to kill ME because MY word finds no place in you.  For MY part, I speak of what I have seen in MY FATHER's presence, but you do what you have learned from your father.'

They answered HIM, 'Our father is Abraham.'  Then JESUS said, 'If you were Abraham's children, you would do as Abraham did.  But now you want to kill ME, the one who tells you the truth--the truth that I have learned from GOD.  This is not what Abraham did; what you are doing are the works of your father.'

The Jews said to HIM, 'We are not illegitimate children; we have one FATHER, GOD.'  JESUS replied, 'If GOD were your FATHER you would love ME, for I came forth from GOD, and I AM here.  And I didn't come by MY own decision, but it was HE HIMSELF who sent ME.'" - John 8:31-42 

(JESUS spoke to the Jews who believed in HIM.  Those Jews believed in JESUS according to their own view of HIM, very much like the Jews whom Paul would oppose in Galatians 3-4 did.  From JESUS' discussions with those who claimed to have the true religion, we can surmise how JESUS would confront us were HE to pass among us today.

JESUS would not reproach us so much for our sins, as for our continuing to live in sin.  Sins are evil deeds that at times may be excusable; often we repent of them as soon as we have committed them.  To be in sin, on the other hand, is to live in falsehood; it is to persist stubbornly in a certain pride, an attachment to our own judgments.  This attitude prevents us from entering into the ways of GOD, even though to all appearances we live an upright life and proclaim our faith.

JESUS is not a banner for every social group, whether known as Catholic or by some other name, with which we go to fight other groups.  HE has come as a king of the kingdom of truth.  Those who seek the truth are HIS, whatever their ideas may be.  Rather, those who live in truth are HIS.

For those Jews the world was divided into two groups: the sons of Abraham, that is themselves, and the rest.  They boasted of their ancestry and forgot that in GOD's eyes, each one is what he is.

JESUS comes to them as a witness to the truth; and HIS presence alone obliges all to examine themselves.  The truth JESUS speaks of is not a doctrine that HIS followers should impose by force.  Propagandists with arguments and biblical quotations are not needed, but witnesses who speak from their experience.  JESUS says: The truth will set you free, and: the Son makes you free.  Our truth consists in living in accordance with our vocation as children of GOD.

The believer who knows he is loved by GOD and consequently endeavors to be authentic is already in the truth, even if he retains some prejudices common to his milieu, or is unconsciously guided by some lies or illusions in his way of living.

JESUS also speaks of freedom.  Truth and freedom go together.  Many individuals and people have not spared themselves in an effort to break their chains.  Once liberated they quickly fall into other forms of subjugation, because the root of all slavery lies within everyone.

By doing evil one becomes an accomplice of the Devil and, even without wanting to do so, falls into a trap.  He will then be unable to resist the illusions and harmful influences by which the Father of Lies brings the world under his power.

As long as we continue to be unconcerned about our true condition and are either agitated or idle, we are no more than slaves, even though we may excel in wealth, knowledge or status.  We thus add to the population of the world of below, which is unstable.  Generations of slaves will follow like the waves of the sea: slaves are people who are for a time in the house.  CHRIST enables us to enter yet another world, the world above in which the sons and daughters stay forever.  From the time we become children of GOD, everything we do bears fruit of eternity.)

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I AM HE

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

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

They asked HIM, 'Who are YOU?'; and JESUS said, 'Just what I have told you from the beginning.  I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the One who sent ME is truthful and everything I learned from HIM, I proclaim to the world.'

They didn't understand that JESUS was speaking to them about the FATHER.  So JESUS said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM HE and that I do nothing of MYSELF, but I say just what the FATHER taught ME.  HE who sent ME is with ME and has not left ME alone; because I always do what pleases HIM.'

As JESUS spoke like this, many believed in HIM." - John 8:21-30 

(In this discourse JESUS gives witness to HIS own divinity.  HE makes us understand that in HIM there is a mysterious secret regarding HIS origin.  On this page we read the expression I AM seven times.  John wishes us to understand that this is the key word of the discourse.  I AM.  It was thus GOD designated HIMSELF, speaking to Moses.  We know that the Jews called GOD, YAHWEH, that is, HE who is.  JESUS declares: "I AM," thus claiming for HIMSELF the name that should not be given to any creature, no matter how prominent the person might be.  There are Christians [e.g. the Witnesses of Jehovah] who would make CHRIST less than HE is.  They argue that since GOD is only one, how can the fulness of divine life be shared among three persons.  While they call CHRIST the Son of GOD, they deny that HE is GOD born of GOD.  Yet JESUS IS as much as the FATHER, and must not be confused with the FATHER, hence HE says: The FATHER sent ME, and also: The testimony of two persons is worthy [in the Jewish law code].

You will die in your sin.  Sin is not just doing something bad.  Sin is, also, to enclose ourselves in our own petty problems and rely only on human wisdom, without opening ourselves to the horizons of GOD.  This eventually leads to death, for a life closed to GOD is no real life.  Scripture divides people into two groups: those from above, who seek GOD's ways, and those from below, who seek limited human goals.  Sin is to refuse to allow oneself to be born again from above, as JESUS told Nicodemus [3:3].  These Jews did not believe in JESUS, because HIS way of life and HIS message reflected a world--that did not attract them.  JESUS would have wasted HIS time with them; the wisdom of GOD would be better revealed in HIS death on the cross.)

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We Usually Condemn The Person; We Do Not Make Room For Change And Mercy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Unless The Grain Of Wheat Falls To The Earth And Dies, It Remains Alone; But If It Dies, It Produces Much Fruit

 "There were some Greeks who had come up to Jerusalem to worship during the feast.  They approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, 'Sir, we wish to see JESUS.'  Philip went to Andrew,  and the two of them told JESUS.

Then JESUS said, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Those who love their life destroy it, and those who despise their life in this world save it even to everlasting life.

Whoever wants to serve ME, let him follow ME; and wherever I AM, there shall MY servant be also.  If anyone serves ME, the FATHER will honor him.'" - John 12:20-26 

(Several foreigners [called Greeks because of their language] were converted to the faith of the Jews.  Though they did not observe the Jewish laws, they were accepted in the temple of Jerusalem where a courtyard, [separate from that of the Jews] was reserved for them.  The question from those Greeks offers JESUS the opportunity to announce that HIS kingdom will be extended through the whole earth, when HE will have been raised on the cross.

Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies.  JESUS will die and the universal Church will be born.  JESUS allows HIS lifeless body to be laid in the earth; on rising from the tomb, HIS same body, now glorified, will also embrace the believers united to HIM.  The life that is now HIS will be communicated to all the children of GOD.

Unless the grain dies.  This is the law for all life that will be fruitful [Mark 8:34].  The first believers were already saying: "The blood of the martyrs is a seed.")

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Appeal To GOD's Justice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- Psalm 7:2-12

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

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

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Faith Is The Way, And All Is Given, By Grace

 "If GOD promised Abraham, or rather his descendants, that the world would belong to him, this was not because of his obeying the law, but because he was just, and a friend of GOD, through faith.

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

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

Abraham believed, and hoped against all expectation, thus, becoming the father of many nations, as he has been told: See how many will be your descendants.

This was taken into account, for him to attain righteousness." - Romans 4:13. 16-18. 22 

(Paul then asks his Jewish brothers to go back to the sources of revelation.  Long before the law was given to Moses, there was the faith of Abraham.  That means that faith is both more fundamental and universal.  The law, is a form of religion proper to the Jews and of value only for a period of their history.  He asks: "How did Abraham become the friend of GOD and why is he taken as the model of believers?  Was it because he believed in GOD's promises, or because he had received the rite of circumcision?"  It is like asking a Christian today: "What is important, to believe in CHRIST, or to be baptized?" 

The answer is clear; we become the friends of GOD by believing in HIS promises.  The rite of baptism ratifies with a divine seal the gift of GOD and our commitment to HIM.

Therefore, baptism and the other sacraments are the "signs" of faith and have no value without faith.  Baptism is the beginning of our living for GOD in the Christian community.  Communion has no meaning unless we live in unity and share the fullness of the life of the Church.

Worthy of notice is the fact that Christian people are now less concerned with rites and devotions that were so important to past generations.  At the same time renewal movements give more stress to essentials: our faith and surrender to CHRIST.)

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To Have Sinned Is Not Fatal; But To Fail To Acknowledge It, Is

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

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

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

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

- Psalm 106:19-20. 21-22. 23

(It is not only praise that the remembrance of our past calls forth: the story of the Old Testament is a story of people's sin and GOD's mercy, and 'we have sinned like our ancestors'.  We join with our ancestors in confessing it.  To have sinned is not fatal; but to fail to acknowledge it, is.  This cuts us from the people of GOD, the people redeemed, the people of GOD's mercy.

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

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Our Lives Are Borne Along On The Unending Stream Of Divine Love

 "Compassionate and gracious is YAHWEH, slow to anger and abounding in love.

YAHWEH is good to everyone; HIS mercy embraces all HIS creation.

YOUR reign is from age to age; YOUR dominion endures, from generation to generation.

YAHWEH is true to HIS promises and lets HIS mercy show in all HE does.

YAHWEH lifts up those who are falling and raises those who are beaten down.

Righteous is YAHWEH in all HIS ways, HIS mercy shows in all HIS deeds.

HE is near those who call on HIM, who call trustfully upon HIS name."

- Psalm 145:8-9. 13-14. 17-18

(When we reflect on what GOD has done for us, we remember that this is what GOD has always done, our lives are borne along on the unending stream of divine love.  To the eternal GOD, eternal praise be given.

The central place of the 'reign of GOD' unites this psalm with the core of the preaching of JESUS 'the Kingdom of GOD' [cf. Mark 1:13-14] which must continue to grow in our society.  That is why, it is necessary to pray with this psalm while we pray: 'YOUR kingdom come.')

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Boundless Trust In GOD's Power

 "GOD is our strength and protection,

an ever-present help in affliction.

We will not fear, therefore;

though the earth be shaken

and the mountains plunge into the seas;...

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

the holy place, where the Most High dwells.

GOD is within, the city cannot quake,

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

For with us is YAHWEH of hosts,

the GOD of Jacob, our refuge.

Come, see the works of YAHWEH--

the marvelous things HE has done in the world."

- Psalm 46:2-3. 5-6. 8-9

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

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

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A New Heaven And A New Earth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Grace You Have Been Saved!

 "But GOD, who is rich in mercy, revealed HIS immense love.  As we were dead through our sins, HE gave us life, with CHRIST.  By grace, you have been saved!  And HE raised us to life, with CHRIST, giving us a place with HIM in heaven.

In showing us such kindness, in CHRIST JESUS, GOD willed to reveal, and unfold in the coming ages, the extraordinary riches of HIS grace.  By the grace of GOD, you have been saved, through faith.  This has not come from you: it is GOD's gift.  This was not the result of your works, so you are not to feel proud.  What we are, is GOD's work.  HE has created us, in CHRIST JESUS, for the good works HE has prepared, that we should devote ourselves to them." - Ephesians 2:4-10 

(HE raised us to life with CHRIST.  Actually an authentic conversion is experienced as a resurrection.  Paul is saying more: nothing can stop GOD 's merciful plan.  HE sees beyond time and has already raised us with CHRIST.  We are seated with HIM in heaven, that is to say, assured of victory.)

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It Is Love That I Desire, Not Sacrifice

 "Come, let us return to YAHWEH.

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

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

Two days later HE will bring us back to life;

on the third day, HE will raise us up,

and we shall live in HIS presence.

Let us strive to know YAHWEH.

HIS coming is as certain as the dawn;

HIS judgment will burst forth like the light;

HE will come to us as showers come,

like spring rain that waters the earth.

O Ephraim, what shall I do with you?

O Judah, how shall I deal with you?

This love of yours is like morning mist,

like morning dew that quickly disappears. 

This is why I smote you through the prophets,

and have slain you by the words of MY mouth.

For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice;

it is knowledge of GOD, not burnt offerings.

- Hosea 6:1-6

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

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

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Humanity's Reconciliation With GOD Will Be An Authentic Marriage

 "Return to your GOD, YAHWEH, O Israel!

Your sins have caused your downfall,

Return to YAHWEH with humble words.  Say to HIM,

'Oh, YOU who show compassion to the fatherless,

forgive our debt, be appeased.

Instead of bulls and sacrifices,

accept the praise from our lips.

Assyria will not save us:

no longer shall we look for horses,

nor ever again shall we say 'Our gods'

to the work of our hands.'

I will heal their disloyalty

and love them with all MY heart,

for MY anger has turned from them.

I shall be like dew to Israel,

like the lily will HE blossom.

Like a cedar, HE will send down HIS roots;

HIS young shoots will grow and spread.

HIS splendor will be like an olive tree,

HIS fragrance, like a Lebanon cedar.

They will dwell in MY shade again,

they will flourish like the grain,

they will blossom like a vine,

and their fame will be like Lebanon wine.

What would Ephraim do with idols,

when it is I who hear and make him prosper?

I AM like an ever-green cypress tree;

all your fruitfulness comes from ME.

Who is wise enough to grasp all this?  

Who is discerning and will understand?

Straight are the ways of YAHWEH: 

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

- Hosea 14:2-10

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

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Whoever Is Not With ME Is Against ME, And Whoever Does Not Gather With ME, Scatters

 "One day, JESUS was driving out a demon, which was mute.  When the demon had been driven out, the mute person could speak, and the people were amazed.  Yet some of them said, 'HE drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of the demons.'  Others wanted to put HIM to the test, by asking HIM for a heavenly sign.

But JESUS knew their thoughts, and said to them, 'Every nation divided by civil war is on the road to ruin, and will fall.  If Satan also is divided, his empire is coming to an end.  How can you say that I drive out demons by calling upon Beelzebul?  If I drive them out by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive out demons?  They will be your judges, then.

But if I drive out demons by the finger of GOD; would not this mean that the kingdom of GOD has come upon you?  As long as a man, strong and well armed, guards his house, his goods are safe.  But when a stronger man attacks and overcomes him, the challenger takes away all the weapons he relied on, and disposes of his spoils.

Whoever is not with ME is against ME, and whoever does not gather with ME, scatters.'" - Luke 11:14-23 

(By the finger of GOD.  In Exodus 8:15 the same expression is used to designate the power of GOD working miracles.

Whoever is not with ME...  This phrase seems to contradict Luke 9:50: Who is not against YOU is for YOU.  In fact, in Luke 9:50 JESUS admits that HIS spiritual family goes much beyond the visible group of HIS disciples: those who, without belonging to the church, work for the same goals, must be considered as friends.

In Luke 11:23, on the other hand, JESUS speaks of people who refuse to stand with HIM and HIS message and who want to remain uncommitted: they do not join HIM, and later they will criticize HIM.)

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With JESUS Comes The Perfect And Definitive Fellowship Of GOD With Humankind

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"LORD, Remember YOUR Promises And Forget Our Sins. Have Compassion On YOUR Humiliated People And Come To Save Us."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And now, we serve YOU with our whole heart, we fear YOU and we seek YOUR face.  Do not leave us in our humiliation, but treat us according to YOUR kindness and YOUR great mercy.  Free us, in keeping with YOUR wonders, and give us the glory of YOUR name, LORD." - Daniel 3:25. 34-43 

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

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

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No Prophet Is Honored In His Own Country

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

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

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

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

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

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Zeal For YOUR House Consumes ME As Fire And Those Who Insult YOU Insult ME As Well

 "As the Passover of the Jews was at hand, JESUS went up to Jerusalem.  In the temple court HE found merchants selling oxen, sheep and doves, and money-changers seated at their tables.  Making a whip of cords, HE drove them all out of the temple court, together with the oxen and sheep.  HE knocked over the tables of the money-changers, scattering the coins, and ordered the people selling doves, 'Take all this away, and stop making a marketplace of MY FATHER's house!'

HIS disciples recalled the words of Scripture: Zeal for YOUR house devours ME like fire.

The Jews then questioned JESUS, 'Where are the miraculous signs which give YOU the right to do this?'  And JESUS said, 'Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.'  The Jews then replied, 'The building of this temple has already taken forty-six years, and will YOU raise it up in three days?'

Actually, JESUS was referring to the temple of HIS body.  Only when HE had risen from the dead did HIS disciples remember these words; then they believed both the Scripture and the words JESUS had spoken.

JESUS stayed in JERUSALEM during the Passover Festival, and many believed in HIS name, when they saw the miraculous signs HE performed.  But JESUS did not trust HIMSELF to them, because HE knew all of them.  HE had no need of evidence about anyone, for HE HIMSELF knew what there was in each one." - John 2:13-25 

(JESUS had not yet begun HIS preaching.  HE went to the temple of Jerusalem that was the heart of the Jewish nation and the symbol of their religion [Mark 11:12].  The temple, however, was not immune from corruption and lust for power.  In the temple the people had to make use of the priests' services to offer their sacrifices.  The priests' authority and power derived from the temple.  The temple was the place where the community's offerings and gifts were brought; and there the chief priests disposed of this treasure.  Besides this, they also received the taxes that the sellers and money changers paid.

Zeal for YOUR house consumes ME as fire and those who insult YOU insult ME as well.  This is taken from Psalm 69.  Actually the hatred of the chief priests for JESUS would bring HIM to HIS death.

The apostles could not understand these words: for at that time nothing was more sacred to them than the temple and the Scripture.  Later, they would know that the most ordinary word of JESUS had as much weight as the whole of Scripture.  They would also understand that JESUS is the true temple.  Until then, people constructed temples and looked for places where they could meet GOD and obtain HIS favors.  Now GOD has made HIMSELF present in JESUS: it is HE who delivers GOD's riches to us.)

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Our Gratitude For GOD's Mercy Merges Naturally Into A Hymn Of Praise, For HIS Greatness.

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

Praise YAHWEH, my soul, and do not forget all HIS kindness; HE forgives all your sins and heals all your sickness; HE redeems your life from destruction and crowns you with love and compassion;...

HE will not always scold nor will HE be angry forever.  HE does not treat us according to our sins, nor does HE punish us as we deserve.

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

- Psalm 103:1-2. 3-4. 9-10. 11-12

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

Let us praise the LORD, together with everything created: in moments of joy, as well as in hours of sadness, both when we have strength or when we live in fragility.)

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GOD's Faithfulness To HIS Promise

 "Then HE sent a famine and ruined the crop that sustained the land; HE sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave;

his feet in shackles, his neck in irons; till what HE foretold came to pass, and YAHWEH's word proved HIM true.

The king sent for him; set him free; the ruler of the peoples released him.  He put him in charge of his household and made him ruler of all his possessions,..."

- Psalm 105:16-17. 18-19. 20-21

(We are the people whom GOD has redeemed, but in redeeming us, GOD was keeping the promise which  HE made 'to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his seed.'

When praying with this psalm, we can unite our history to the history of salvation and remember that, while the covenant is a mandate, it is also the Word of GOD and therefore it is an eternal and holy covenant.  If we are unfaithful, GOD is still faithful.)

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The Lazarus Of Today

 "Once there was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted every day.  At his gate lay Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores, who longed to eat just the scraps falling from the rich man's table.  Even dogs used to come and lick his sores.  It happened that the poor man died, and angels carried him to take his place with Abraham.  The rich man also died, and was buried.  From the netherworld where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Abraham afar off, and with him Lazarus at rest.

He called out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me, and send Lazarus, with the tip of his finger dipped in water, to cool my tongue, for I suffer so much in this fire!'

Abraham replied, 'My son, remember that in your lifetime you were well-off, while the lot of Lazarus was misfortune.  Now he is in comfort, and you are in agony.  But that is not all.  Between your place and ours a great chasm has been fixed, so that no one can cross over from here to you, or from your side to us.'

The rich man implored once more, 'Then I beg you, Father Abraham, send Lazarus to my father's house, where my five brothers live.  Let him warn them, so that they may not end up in this place of torment.'  Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets.  Let them listen to them.'  But the rich man said, 'No, Father Abraham; but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead.'" -  Luke 16:19-31 

(The parable deals with the worldwide gap between the rich and the inhumanly poor.  There is a deadly law of money which makes the rich live separately: housing, transportation, recreation, medical care.  The wall the rich man willingly built in this life becomes, after his death, an abyss that no one will be able to bridge.  The one who accepts this separation will find himself on the other side forever.

The Lazarus of today are legion and are already at our door; they are known as third or fourth world.  On a world scale it is the more advanced countries and the privileged minorities that have taken possession of the table to which all were invited: the real power, and the culture imposed by the media.  The national industries and sources of employment have been destroyed by a free exchange unimpeded by any social or moral restraint.  Hundreds of millions of "Lazarus" people are marginalized and rejected until they die in misery, or through violence arising from a dehumanized life.

The Gospel, in its desire to save the rich as well as the poor, asks us to work with a view to removing the abyss that separates them.  The time for breaking down the barrier is in this life.)

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Third Prophecy Of The Passion

 "When JESUS was going to Jerusalem, HE took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 'See, we are going to Jerusalem.  There, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law; and they will condemn HIM to death.  They will hand HIM over to the foreigners, who will mock HIM, scourge HIM and crucify HIM.  But HE will be raised to life on the third day.'" - Matthew 20:17-19 

(JESUS feels full of courage and confidence, as HE HIMSELF walks ahead of them to Jerusalem, where HIS punishment awaits HIM.)

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Against An Unthinking People

 "Hear the warning of YAHWEH,

rulers of Sodom.

Listen to the word of GOD,

people of Gomorrah.

Wash and make yourselves clean.

Remove from MY sight

the evil of your deeds.

Put an end to your wickedness

and learn to do good.

Seek justice and keep in line the abusers;

give the fatherless their rights

and defend the widow.

'Come,' says YAHWEH,

'let us reason together.

Though your sins be like scarlet, 

they will be white as snow;

though they be as crimson red,

they will be white as wool.

If you will obey ME,

you will eat the goods of the earth;

but if you resist and rebel,

the sword will eat you instead.'

Truly YAHWEH has spoken.

- Isaiah 1:10. 16-20

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

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

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Be Merciful, Just As Your FATHER Is Merciful

 "Be merciful, just as your FATHER is merciful.

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

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

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

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