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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Against Those Who Worship Images

 "The natural helplessness of humans is seen in their ignorance of GOD.  The experience of good things did not lead them to the knowledge of HIM who IS.  They were interested in HIS works, but they did not recognize the author of them.

Fire, wind, air, the sphere of the stars, rushing water and the lights in the sky were held as the rulers of the world.

If, charmed by such beauty, they took them for gods, let them know how far superior is their sovereign.  And if they were impressed by their power and activity, let them understand from this how much mightier is HE who formed them.  For the grandeur and beauty of creatures lead us to ponder on their Author, greater and more magnificent.

No doubt these people are not to be blamed severely, for possibly they strayed though they searched for GOD and desired to find HIM.  They pondered over the created things that surrounded them and were captivated by the sight of such beauty.

Even so they are not to be excused, for if they were able to explore the world, why did they not discover first the world's Sovereign?" - Wisdom 13:1-9

 

(Materialists ignore GOD.  The proud believe they can achieve everything on their own.  They use things as their own, without giving them a deeper meaning and without seeing them as gifts from GOD.

Simple and humble people see the hand of GOD in everything.  The water, the wind, the mountains remind them of the Perfect Being who created them; even more do the riches they discover in their loved ones.  Human intelligence is meant to discover GOD who fills everything and is the end of everything.  Paul will say something very similar in Romans 1:19.)

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When Will The Kingdom Of GOD Come?

 "The Pharisees asked JESUS when the kingdom of GOD was to come.  HE answered, 'The kingdom of GOD is not like something you can observe, and say to it, 'Look, here it is!' or 'See, there it is!' for the kingdom of GOD is within you.'

And JESUS said to HIS disciples, 'The time is at hand, when you will long to see one of the glorious days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.  Then people will tell you, 'Look there!  Look here!'  Do not go with them, do not follow them.  As lightning flashes from one end of the sky to the other, so will it be with the Son of Man; but first HE must suffer many things, and be rejected by this generation.'" - Luke 17:20-25

 

(When will the kingdom of GOD come?  It does not come as a revolution or the change of the seasons each year: it is at work in people who have received the Good News.  Those who believe already enjoy the kingdom.

Then come the words of JESUS concerning the end of Jerusalem and HIS second coming [Mark 13:14].  We should not speak about the end of the world in every time of anxiety.  JESUS gives us two comparisons: the lightning [verse 24] which is seen everywhere and the vultures [verse 37] which gather without fail wherever there is a corpse.  In the same way, everyone, without fail, will be aware of CHRIST's return.

Yet HIS return will catch off guard those who are not expecting it [just as in the days of Noah].  Judgment will separate the elect from the condemned--nothing separated them in daily life--from two people working side by side, one will be taken, the other left behind.

In Matthew 24:17 the reference to someone outside HIS house is connected with the end of Jerusalem, and here it means it will be necessary to escape quickly.  In the present text this has another meaning: when the end of  the world comes it will be too late to worry about saving one's life or possessions.)

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No True Wisdom Without Religious Truth

 "Listen, O kings, and understand; rulers of the most distant lands, take warning.  Pay attention, you who rule multitudes and boast of the numerous subjects in your pagan nations!

For authority was given you by the LORD, your kingship is from the Most High who will examine your works and scrutinize your intentions.

If, as officials of HIS kingdom, you have not judged justly or observed HIS law or walked the way GOD pointed out, HE will oppose you swiftly and terribly; HIS sentence strikes the mighty suddenly.

For the lowly there may be excuses and pardon, but the great will be severely punished.

For the LORD of all makes no distinction, nor does HE take account of greatness.  Both great and lowly are HIS work and HE watches over all, but the powerful are to be judged more strictly.

It is to you then, sovereigns, that I speak, that you may learn Wisdom and not stumble.

For those who keep the holy laws in a holy way will be acknowledged holy, and those who accept the teaching will find in it their defense.

Welcome my words, desire them and they will instruct you." - Wisdom 6:1-11

(Here begins the "discourse to the kings about wisdom."  As we said in the introduction of Ecclesiastes, it was common to attribute the Books of Wisdom to Solomon.  This can also be seen in his book: the author pretends to be Solomon and puts the words about wisdom on Solomon's lips.)

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The River That Flows From The Temple

 "The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple and I saw water coming out from the threshold of the temple and flowing eastward.  The temple faced the east and the water flowed from the south side of the temple, from the south side of the altar.  He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside, to the outer gate facing the east; and there I saw the stream coming from the south side.

He said to me, 'This water goes to the east, down to the Arabah, and when it flows into the sea of foul smelling water, the water will become wholesome.  Wherever the river flows, swarms of creatures will live in it; fish will be plentiful; and the seawater will become fresh.  Wherever it flows, life will abound.

Near the river of both banks, there will be all kinds of fruit trees, with foliage that will not wither; and fruit that will never fail; each month they will bear a fresh crop, because the water comes from the temple.  The fruit will be good to eat and the leaves will be used for healing.'" - Ezekiel 47:1-2. 8-9. 12

(Note the vision of the river which makes the land fruitful and starts from the place where GOD is present.  The invisible GOD manifests HIMSELF in the life which HE gives to people.  The Holy Spirit, imaged in the stream of living water [see John 7:38], makes all the seeds of life blossom again in the world.

The stream flows to the Salt Sea or the Dead Sea.  [Its waters are so salty that there are no fish.  No plants can grow on the shores.]  This serves as an image of the healing that GOD brings to a world, sterile because of its sins.  The fruit will be good to eat and the leaves will be used for healing.) 

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Seek Life; Know GOD

 "Love justice, you who rule over the world!  Think rightly of GOD, seek HIM with simplicity of heart, for HE reveals HIMSELF to those who do not challenge HIM and is found by those who do not distrust HIM.

Crooked thinking distances you from GOD; and HIS Omnipotence, put to the test, confounds the foolish.

Wisdom does not enter the wicked nor remain in a body that is enslaved to sin.  The Holy Spirit who instructs us shuns deceit; it keeps aloof from foolishness and is ill at ease when injustice is done.

Wisdom is a spirit, a friend to man, and will not leave the blasphemous unpunished, because GOD knows his innermost feelings, truly sees his thoughts and hears what he says.

For GOD's spirit has filled the whole world; and HE who holds together all things, knows each word that is spoken." - Wisdom 1:1-7

(GOD is more present to us than we are to ourselves.  We need not look very far for authentic wisdom: it appears as spirit coming from GOD that becomes present to us interiorly but is only revealed to the just.

How can we express the nearness of the in-accessible and holy GOD?  Here the author speaks of Providence, Wisdom, Justice, the Spirit of GOD.  He speaks of them as if they were persons sent by GOD to look after us.  In fact, it is a way of presenting GOD HIMSELF who, though HE preserves HIS mystery, is close to people and to events.)

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The Widow's Offering

 "JESUS sat down opposite the temple treasury, and watched the people dropping money into the treasury box; and many rich people put in large offerings.  But a poor widow also came and dropped in two small coins.

Then, JESUS called HIS disciples and said to them, 'Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those who gave offerings.  For all of them gave from their plenty; but she gave from her poverty, and put in everything she had, her very living.'" - Mark 12:41-44

 

(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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Money Is Something That People Acquire And Lose; It Does Not Make Anyone Greater

 "'And so I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for yourselves, so that, when it fails, these people may welcome you into the eternal homes.

Whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones.  So if you have been dishonest in handling filthy money, who would entrust you with true wealth?  And if you have been dishonest with things that are not really yours, who will give you that wealth which is truly your own?

No servant can serve two masters.  Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt.  You cannot give yourself both to GOD and to Money.'

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and sneered at JESUS.  HE said to them, 'You do your best to be considered righteous by people.  But GOD knows the heart, and what is highly esteemed by human beings is loathed by GOD.'" - Luke 16:9-15

(We are not owners but administrators of our wealth and we must administer it for the good of all.  Money is not a bad thing as long as we use it as a means to facilitate exchanges.  JESUS, however, call it "unjust" [we use the word filthy] because money is not a true good [it is not money that makes us just before GOD];  and because it is impossible to accumulate money without failing in trust in the FATHER and without hurting our neighbors.

Money is something that people acquire and lose; it does not make anyone greater.  Therefore, money is not part of the goods that are our own.

The Pharisees, heard all this and sneered at JESUS.  More than the other evangelists, Luke notes the incompatibility between true religion and love of money.  The Pharisees could justify their love of money by quoting some saying from the Scripture.  In fact, in the beginning the Jews saw wealth as a blessing from GOD.  It seemed just to them that GOD should reward in this way those who are faithful to HIM when they know how to deal with the riches of this world.  Then, with the passing of time, they came to see that money was more of a danger and that, often, it was the privilege of those without faith [Psalm 49, Job].

Nevertheless, as soon as someone has money he is convinced that he possesses truth, and thus the Pharisees felt authorized to judge and decide on things of GOD.  After them, many Christians belonging to influential circles have wished to use money and power for the service of the kingdom of GOD and quickly established themselves as managers.  Money in turn possesses those who possess it.  Very soon one is ready to approve a moral order that justifies one's own privileges and forgets the Gospel values of justice, humility and poverty.  In the end, it is the Church itself that is despised by those who seek GOD .

Why have so many people of humble origin felt inferior to the rich in the church?  They got used to seeing the rich heading church organizations and accustomed to receiving the word of GOD from them, in spite of JESUS' warnings.)

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The Crafty Steward

 "At another time JESUS told HIS disciples, 'There was a rich man, whose steward was reported to him because of fraudulent service.  He summoned the steward and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you?  I want you to render an account of your service, for it is about to be terminated.'

The steward thought to himself, 'What am I to do now?  My master will surely dismiss me.  I am not strong enough to do hard work, and I am ashamed to beg.  I know what I will do: I must make sure that when I am dismissed, there will be people who will welcome me into their homes.'

So he called his master's debtors, one by one.  He asked the first debtor, 'How much do you owe my master?'  The reply was, 'A hundred jars of oil.'  The steward said, 'Here is your bill.  Sit down quickly and write fifty.'  To the second debtor he put the same question, 'How much do you owe?'  The answer was, 'A hundred measures of wheat.'  Then the steward said, 'Take your bill and write eighty.'

The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness: for the people of this world are more astute, in dealing with their own kind, than are the people of light.'" - Luke 16:1-8

 

(JESUS is not concerned about condemning the improper actions of the administrator, but rather points out his cleverness in providing for his future: this man was able to discover in time that friends last longer than money.  In the same way, in promoting a new way of living, the people of light must strip money of its halo as Supreme Good.  It seems that putting money in a safe place is the best way to assure our existence and our future.  On the contrary, JESUS tells us to use it and to exchange it without hesitation for something much more valuable such as bonds of mutual appreciation.)

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Triumphant Trust In GOD

 "YAHWEH is my light and my salvation

--whom shall I fear?

YAHWEH is the rampart of my life;

I will not be afraid.

One thing I ask of YAHWEH, one thing I seek--

that I may dwell in HIS house all the days of my life,

to gaze at HIS jewel and to visit HIS Sanctuary.

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. 4. 13-14

(In the struggles of this life, the believer is not discouraged, but clings to the hope the LORD has in store for us at the end of the conflict.  A trust without limits: Though my father and mother forsake me, yet will the LORD receive me.  To such a GOD, the psalmist can say: One thing I seek... [to] dwell in the house of the LORD.  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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The Cost Of Following JESUS

 "One day, when large crowds were walking along with JESUS, HE turned and said to them, 'If you come to ME, unwilling to sacrifice your love for your father and mother, your spouse and children, your brothers and sisters, and indeed yourself, you cannot be MY disciple.  Whoever does not follow ME, carrying his own cross, cannot be MY disciple.

Do you build a house without first sitting down to count the cost, to see whether you have enough to complete it?  Otherwise, if you, have laid the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone will make fun of you: 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

And when a king wages war against another king, does he go to fight without first sitting down to consider whether his ten thousand can stand against the twenty thousand of his opponent?  And if not, while the other is still a long way off, he sends messengers for peace talks.  In the same way, none of you may become MY disciple, if he doesn't give up everything he has.'" - Luke 14:25-33

 

(JESUS thinks about people who, after becoming enthusiastic about HIM and giving up their personal ambitions to dedicate themselves to the work of the Gospel, turn back to seek what ordinary people see as a more "normal" and secure life.  JESUS needs disciples who commit themselves once and for all.

Why this comparison with the king going to war?  Because the person who frees himself for the service of the Gospel is, in fact, a king to whom GOD will give greater rewards than anyone else would give [see Mark 10:30].  He must also know that the fight is against the "owner" of this world, the devil, who will stop him with a thousand unexpected tests and traps.  Had he not totally surrendered, the disciple would surely fail and be worse off than if he had not even begun.

If he doesn't give up everything he has.  JESUS asks some people to give up their loved ones and their family problems.  To all HE shows that we shall never be free to answer GOD's call, if we do not want to rethink our family links, our use of time and all that we sacrifice in order to live "like everyone else." 

Unwilling to sacrifice for your father and mother, your spouse and children...  This is found in Matthew 10:37.  Luke adds: your wife.)

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If GOD Is With Us, Who Shall Be Against Us?

 "What shall we say after this?  If GOD is with us, who shall be against us?  If HE did not spare HIS own Son, but gave HIM up for us all, how will HE not give us all things with HIM?  Who shall accuse those chosen by GOD: HE takes away their guilt.  Who will dare to condemn them?  CHRIST, who died, and better still, rose, and is seated at the right hand of GOD, interceding for us?

Who shall separate us from the love of CHRIST?  Will it be trials, or anguish, persecution or hunger, lack of clothing, or dangers or sword?  

No, in all of this, we are more than conquerors, thanks to HIM, who has loved us.  I am certain, that neither death nor life, neither angels nor spiritual powers, neither the present nor the future, nor cosmic powers, were they from heaven, or from the deep world below, nor any creature whatsoever, will separate us from the love of GOD, which we have, in JESUS CHRIST, our LORD." - Romans 8:31-35. 37-39

(Who shall be against us?  Paul is thinking of the evil surrounding us that frequently drags us down.  He is thinking of the Day of Judgment when the accuser, the Spirit of Evil, could face us with the faults we have committed.  He thinks of our troubled conscience that often brings us remorse.  None of these will be stronger than the love and forgiveness of CHRIST.  The believer should not be alarmed at his repeated faults or doubt the love of GOD, but try to live according to the truth.)

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