Confidence Under Persecution

 "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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No Gift Higher Than Love

 "If I could speak all the human and angelic tongues, but had no love, I would only be sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  If I had the gift of prophecy, knowing secret things, with all kinds of knowledge, and had faith great enough to remove mountains, but had no love, I would be nothing.  If I gave everything I had to the poor, and even give up my body to be burned, if I am without love, it would be of no value to me." - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 

(To love is more important than performing miracles, more important than doing great things for others and dying for a cause, all of which can be done without love.)

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JESUS Calms The Storm

 "On that same day, when evening had come, JESUS said to them, 'Let's go across to the other side of the lake.'  So they left the crowd, and took HIM along in the boat HE had been sitting in, and other boats set out with HIM.  Then a storm gathered and it began to blow a gale.  The waves spilled over into the boat, so that it was soon filled with water.  JESUS was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.

They woke HIM up, and said, 'Master, don't YOU care if we drown?'  And rising up, JESUS rebuked the wind, and ordered the sea, 'Quiet now!  Be still!'  The wind dropped, and there was a great calm.  Then JESUS said to them, 'Why are you so frightened?  Do you still have no faith?'

But they were terrified, and they said to one another, 'Who can this be?  Even the wind and the sea obey HIM!'" - Mark 4:35-41 

(In Jewish mentality the sea is a daily reminder of primitive chaos, it is there the marine monsters move around, monsters which only GOD, for HE is the all-powerful, can challenge: Leviatan and Rahab.  In commanding the sea: Quiet now!  Be still!.  Just as HE does with the demons [Mark 1:25] JESUS affirms HIS divine power over the forces of evil.

Confronted with all the forms of evil that attack them, in the midst of tempests that arise, people, at times, wonder if GOD "does not sleep."  JESUS is there.  HE is not surprised by the disciples' fear of the tempest, but of their lack of faith; only trust in the victory of JESUS, Son of GOD, over the forces of evil, will allow them to overcome this fear.

At the very instant when they discover this divine power in JESUS, the apostles are terrified, as was Moses at the burning bush [Exodus 3:1], and Isaiah at the time of his vision in the temple [Isaiah 6:5], as all those to whom GOD shows HIMSELF in a special way: more than a friend, more than a master, JESUS revealed HIMSELF to them in the truth of HIS being.  This fear in discovering GOD so close to them was greater than the fear they had felt during the tempest a few moments earlier.)

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The Seed Growing By Itself

 "JESUS also said, 'In the kingdom of GOD it is like this: a man scatters seed upon the soil.  Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night, the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.  The soil produces of itself; first, the blade; then, the ear; then the full grain in the ear.  And when it is ripe for harvesting, they take the sickle for the cutting: the time for the harvest has come.'" - Mark 4:26-29 

(How many seeds are cast to the wind?  A new style, a new song, a new device, a radio program.  Some seeds have grown and taken root, producing fruits that mobilize people.  Let us recognize the humble beginnings of the work of GOD: good willed people meeting together to solve a community problem; a gesture of kindness in a closed, unfriendly environment; a first attempt to smile at life after a great disappointment.  The seed grows, and the person who has welcomed the word walks more confidently on the path where GOD leads.)

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Parable Of The Lamp

 "JESUS also said to them, 'When the light comes, is it put under a basket or a bed?  Surely it is put on a lamp stand.  Whatever is hidden will be disclosed, and whatever is kept secret will be brought to light.  Listen then, if you have ears!'

And HE also said to them, 'Pay attention to what you hear.  In the measure you give, so shall you receive, and still more will be given to you.  For to the one who produces something, more will be given; and from him who does not produce anything, even what he has will be taken away from him.'" - Mark 4:21-25 

(Listen then, if you have ears.  JESUS warns us.  "You waste your time if you only listen to ME yet do not allow what you hear to bear fruit.  The measure that you measure out will be the measure you receive.  That is to say, if you begin to act according to what you have learned, you will receive from GOD new strength and new knowledge.  If you do nothing, even your religious beliefs will be of no value to you, not even when you present yourself before GOD.  You read MY Gospel, but now challenge yourselves before you follow any further."

Whatever is hidden.  The word works secretly within the heart but when we discover the transformation that is at work in our life, we readily proclaim CHRIST and make known to others the secret that has made us happy [Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:3; Philippians 2:10].)

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The Eternal Life We Are Waiting For Was Promised From The Very Beginning

 "From Paul, servant of GOD, apostle of CHRIST JESUS, at the service of GOD's chosen people, so that they may believe, and reach the knowledge of truth and godliness.

The eternal life we are waiting for was promised from the very beginning, by GOD, who never lies, and as the appointed time had come, HE made it known, through the message entrusted to me by a command of GOD, our Savior.

Greetings to you, Titus, my true son in the faith we share.  May grace and peace be with you from GOD the FATHER and CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

I left you in Crete because I wanted you to put right, what was defective, and appoint elders in every town, following my instructions." - Titus 1:1-5 

(Titus had to organize the churches of Crete with leaders in every city.

We do not know if the title overseer [in Greek, episcopos, from which comes bishop] was given to all these elders or presbyters, or if the title was reserved for those with executive duties.  After a while, there was only one bishop in charge of the entire community.  After the apostles' death, bishops served as their representatives and ruled the Church with the same authority.)

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Proclaim The Good News To All Creation

 "Then HE told them, 'Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.  The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; the one who refuses to believe will be condemned.  Signs like these will accompany those who have believed: in MY name they will cast out demons and speak new languages; they will pick up snakes, and if they drink anything poisonous, they will be unharmed; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.'" - Mark 16:15-18 

(The Good News is the seed that will be planted in the world and will flourish, in its proper time, in every field of human endeavor.  Salvation is not a matter of saving isolated souls or individual beings.  The Gospel is to be proclaimed to all creation in all activities and acts of those have been renewed by baptism.  They are to be the yeast that transforms human history.)

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David Is Anointed King Over Israel

 "All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, 'We are your bone and flesh.  In the past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel.  And YAHWEH said to you, 'You shall be the shepherd of MY people Israel and you shall be commander over Israel.''  Before YAHWEH, king David made an agreement with the elders of Israel who came to him at Hebron, and they anointed him king of Israel.

David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years: he reigned over Judah, from Hebron, seven and a half years; and over Israel and Judah, from Jerusalem, for thirty-three years.

And David grew more powerful, for YAHWEH, the GOD of Hosts, was with him." - 2 Samuel 5:1-7. 10 

(This is a great day for David and for Israel.  Those from the north acknowledge him as king, and the unity of all Israel is achieved.  The tribes in the north were separated from those in the south by the district of Jerusalem, which was in the hands of the Canaanites.  David conquers Jerusalem which becomes the capital of this united kingdom.

It is a definitive stage.  GOD turns Jerusalem into the visible center of HIS presence among people.

Later, the one and only temple of GOD will be in Jerusalem, and the true kings of the people of GOD will be those who rule in Jerusalem.  Jerusalem will be the image of the Church and Christians will know that after the Jerusalem of Palestine, GOD has promised them another Jerusalem--that of heaven [see Revelation 20 and 21].

Jerusalem is the image of heaven and, at the same time, of the church on earth.  Often, in the Scriptures, Jerusalem is called Zion, since this was the name of the more ancient part of Jerusalem.  It was also called the "city of David."

In the Scriptures, the unity achieved between the northern and southern tribes is a visible sign that they are living in GOD's grace: all unfaithfulness toward GOD leads to a division among people, and all such division is a sin against GOD.)

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Comparison With The Body

 "As the body is one, having many members, and all the members, while being many, from one body, so it is with CHRIST.  All of us, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, have been baptized in one Spirit, to form one body, and all of us have been given, to drink from the one Spirit.

The body has not just one member, but many.

Now, you are the body of CHRIST, and each of you, individually, is a member of it." - 1 Corinthians 12:12-14. 27 

(A detailed comparison with the body helps us to understand what the Church is, showing at the same time how we must complement and respect each other.

We cannot have a true community unless each of us shares in its life, placing our talents at the service of others.  Even the least gifted may have riches that will be revealed at the right time.  Even the misfortunes of someone may become the riches of the group that welcomes him/her.  As soon as one is really committed to a Christian life, the Spirit awakens in him new and sometimes unsuspected capabilities.  If we pay attention to the riches of our brothers and sisters and awaken in them the consciousness of their dignity and responsibility, we shall see a new resurgence in the Church, fruit of the Spirit.  It would take too long to recall the harm done to the Church in some places because of the passivity of Christians in a clericalized church.)

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Plea For The Return Of GOD's Favor

 "Listen, O shepherd of Israel, YOU, who lead Joseph like a flock; YOU, who sit enthroned between the cherubim.

Shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.  Stir up YOUR might and come to save us.

Restore us, O GOD of hosts; make YOUR face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

O YAHWEH of hosts, how long will YOUR anger burn against the prayers of YOUR people?

YOU have fed them with the bread of woe, and have given them tears to drink in their sorrow.

YOU have made us the scorn of our neighbors and the laughingstock of our oppressors."

- Psalm 80:2-7

(Samaria was overrun in the year 721 B.C. and colonized with a mixed population of idolatrous immigrants: so many weeds in the garden of GOD.  What has HE done in HIS vineyard?  Understandably enough, there is no mention of the wild grapes this chosen vine had produced [Isaiah 5:1-7].  The psalmist dares to ask 'why'?  The prophet Amos could provide the answer: thirty years before this time, HE had scourged the luxury and oppression of the ruling classes [Amos 6:4-7].  But we have to sympathize with the psalmist.  He has learnt the lesson that to brood over sins committed is a worthless exercise.

The shining face of GOD is remembered in John 14:9 and in Hebrews 1:3; also in the  Gospels at the time of the transfiguration [cf. Matthew 17:2; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:6].  The gaze of GOD saves, also in our present time.)

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The Twelve Apostles

 "Then JESUS went up into the hill country, and called those HE wanted, and they came to HIM.  HE appointed Twelve to be with HIM, and HE called them 'apostles.'  HE wanted to send them out to preach; and HE gave them authority to drive out demons.

These are the Twelve: Simon, to whom HE gave the name Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John his brother, to whom HE gave the name Boanerges, which means 'men of thunder'; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alpheus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed HIM." - Mark 3:13-19 

(It was on the mountain that Moses and Elijah met GOD: it was there that GOD gave them their mission [Exodus 19; 1 Kings 19].  It is on the mountain that JESUS calls those who will be in a special way associated with HIS own mission: they will be with HIM, they will proclaim the word and drive out demons.

Mark tells us here what the Church is: a community assembled by JESUS close to HIM, where people hear the word of GOD and are freed from the slavery of the demon.

On the one hand are the countless afflicted who seek relief, and on the other the group of the Twelve whom JESUS asks to be HIS co-builders in the kingdom of GOD.

What do we know of these Twelve who would become JESUS' messengers, the foundations of the Church, the teachers of the faith?  The nucleus of the group were fishermen and with them a tax collector, Matthew; a teacher of the law, Bartholomew; and some others of whom we only know that JESUS chose them from among the people.

HE came in order to save all, but HIS work began with the poor.  JESUS did not belong more to the poor than to the rich, but like all humans HE had to locate HIMSELF within a specific environment and social class.

Being a son of an artisan, HE grew up among simple, humble people.  In addition, JESUS made an important decision when HE was eighteen or twenty years old.  HE chose to remain a manual worker rather than to enter a school for teachers of the law.  These religious schools were open to all.

JESUS could have began HIS preaching as a qualified teacher and would certainly have found HIS helpers among the sincere teachers of the law, priests or Pharisees.  But no, HE preferred to educate HIMSELF through the worker's life with no other religious instruction than the teachings of the synagogue, with no other book than the book of life.  Because of this, when the time came, HE found HIS apostles among the common people, young men who were simple but reliable people.)

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Unshakable Confidence In GOD

 "O GOD, show YOUR mercy to me, for my foes are in hot pursuit; they press their attack on me all the time.

My accusers pursue me all day long; many attack me.  But when I am afraid, O Mighty One, I put my trust in YOU;

YOU have a record of my laments; my tears are stored in YOUR wineskin.  Are they not written on YOUR scroll?

My enemies turn back when I call on YOU for help; now I know, that GOD is for me.

In GOD, whose word I praise; in GOD I trust, without fear.  What can mortals do against me?

I am bound to YOU by vows, O GOD; I shall offer my thanksgiving."

- Psalm 56:2-3. 9-10. 10-11. 12-13

('YOU have a record of  my laments.'  The sentence is more graphic in Hebrew: 'My tears are stored in YOUR wineskin?'  This is what professional mourners did.  The tears were shed, as it were, by proxy, and left at the grave, as evidence of grief.  But here the tears are not professional, GOD knows it, and they are really worth keeping.  We can only know what GOD thinks of human suffering from HIS Son, GOD 's Word to us.  When JESUS saw Martha weeping HE started to cry HIMSELF [John 11:33-34].  But in the end, GOD 'will wipe all the tears away' and there will be no more crying [Revelation 21:4].

 It is good to pray with this psalm, on the face of so much suffering and so many tears that don't find a human answer.

This is a prayer of the millions of oppressed who live, and no doubt will die crushed.  'YOU, LORD, have gathered our tears!')

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Human Advancement And The Sabbath

 "Again, JESUS entered the synagogue.  A man, who had a paralyzed hand, was there; and some people watched JESUS: would HE heal the man on the Sabbath?  If HE did, they could accuse HIM.

JESUS said to the man with the paralyzed hand, 'Stand here, in the center.'  Then HE asked them, 'What does the law allow us to do on the Sabbath?  To do good or to do harm?  To save life or to kill?'  But they were silent.

Then JESUS looked around at them with anger and deep sadness at their hardness of heart.  And HE said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.'  He stretched it out, and his hand was healed.  As soon as the Pharisees left, they met with Herod's supporters, looking for a way to destroy JESUS." - Mark 3:1-6 

(Here, what Mark wants to emphasize is not the miracle JESUS performs, but HIS attitude vis-à-vis the Sabbath.  This miracle confirms what HE has just said in 2:28.

The Pharisees considered it lawful to work on the Sabbath if it was a question of saving someone in danger of death.  JESUS is about to enlarge this ruling: for HIM, not to do good is to do evil, not to cure is to kill.

Some ask if JESUS was interested in the material advancement [well-being] of people or only in their spiritual progress.  Actually, it is impossible to separate one from the other.

JESUS, apparently, did not speak of the economy nor the social order, but HE did denounce our prejudices that prevent us from giving the world a true and just order.

People, then, have the capacity and the means to better their condition, but they use them poorly because they remain prisoners of principles or institutions that are considered sacred, and in order to preserve them they allow half the world to die.) 

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"The Son Of Man Is Master Even Of The Sabbath."

 "One Sabbath HE was walking through grain fields.  As HIS disciples walked along with HIM, they began to pick the heads of grain and crush them in their hands.  Then the Pharisees said to JESUS, 'Look!  They are doing what is forbidden on the Sabbath!'

And HE said to them, 'Have you never read what David did in his time of need; when he and his men were very hungry?  He went into the House of GOD, when Abiathar was High Priest, and ate; the bread of offering, which only the priests are allowed to eat, and he also gave some to the men who were with him.'  Then JESUS said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.  So the Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath.'" - Mark 2:23-28 

(It was normal that passersby, when hungry, would pick fruit or wheat.  The Pharisees were scandalized because JESUS' disciples did this on the Sabbath, a day when all work was prohibited.

The Sabbath was made for man.  No law, no matter how holy it is, should be applied in a way that would oppress a person.

The Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath.  For the Jews, the observance of the Sabbath was the pillar of the Law established by GOD.  Who did JESUS think HE was?)

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New Wine, New Skin

 "One day, when the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist were fasting, some people asked JESUS, 'Why is it, that both the Pharisees and the disciples of John fast, but YOURS do not?'  JESUS answered, 'How can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?  As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.  But the day will come, when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

No one sews a piece of new cloth on an old coat, because the new patch will shrink and tear away from the old cloth, making a worse tear.  And no one puts new wine into old wine skins, for the wine would burst the skins, and then both the wine and the skins would be lost.  But new wine, new skins!'" - Mark 2:18-22 

(Many religious leaders sympathized with JESUS.  How they would have liked that HE rekindle the faith of the nation!  JESUS HIMSELF did not feel that HIS primary task was to reorganize worship and bring people to the synagogues.

The Pharisees were fasting.  Fasting, a sign of repentance, supported their prayers that GOD come and liberate HIS people.  GOD comes in the person of JESUS: joy and celebration are more appropriate than fasting.  The prophets had announced the wedding feast of GOD with HIS people when HE would come to visit us [Isaiah 62:4-5].  Because of this, in presenting HIMSELF as the bridegroom, JESUS identifies who HE really is.

What is the new wine?  It is of course the Gospel, and the enthusiasm because of the Holy Spirit that leads the disciples to every kind of madness to manifest the love of the FATHER and the freedom that they have acquired.  In order to understand this, let us read the Acts of the Apostles and the lives of the saints, who have marked Church history.

Old skins: The Gospel does not fit into the molds of religion and likewise does not enter into those persons who hold onto them at all costs.  Mark wants us to catch the Gospel's novelty.  We have just seen JESUS welcoming sinners, now we wonder that HE doesn't come like religious groups with prayers and fasting.)

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It Is Hope That Cracked Open The Immobility Of Ancient Societies

 "I have been told of your faith and your affection toward all the believers, so I always give thanks to GOD, remembering you in my prayers.

May the GOD of CHRIST JESUS our LORD, the FATHER of glory, reveal HIMSELF to you, and give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that you may know HIM.

May HE enlighten your inner vision, that you may appreciate the things we hope for, since we were called by GOD.

May you know how great is the inheritance, the glory, GOD sets apart for HIS saints;..." - Ephesians 1:15-18 

(I have been told of your faith and your affection.  Paul delights in the faith of the Ephesians but, above all, he prays they may have hope that must be the source of their dynamism.  He describes the stages of hope this way: to know the FATHER; to appreciate the inheritance set apart for HIS saints; to understand the power of GOD to bring us to the realization of these hopes.

It is this hope that cracked open the immobility of ancient societies.  Paul lived in a world where hope was considered an illness.  Any project to transform humanity was taken as an illusion, and so the hopes of a nascent science were quickly smothered.  Believers, on the contrary, lived the experience  of a resurrection.  In Christian countries appeared the certainty of a common destiny of humanity [the word "humanity" was non-existent at the time].  People were beginning to be seen as persons in a truer way and it was this that set history in motion, never to return.  How astonishing to see in our world so many Christians who believe, but who have very little hope: are they not the ones who carry the hope of the world?)

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"Healthy People Don't Need A Doctor, But Sick People Do. I Did Not Come To Call The Righteous, But Sinners."

 "When JESUS went out again, beside the lake, a crowd came to HIM, and HE taught them.  As HE walked along, HE saw a tax collector sitting in his office.  This was Levi, the son of Alpheus.  JESUS said to him, 'Follow ME!'  And Levi got up and followed HIM.

And it so happened that, when JESUS eating in Levi's house, tax collectors and sinners sat with HIM and HIS disciples; there were a lot of them, and they used to follow JESUS.

But Pharisees, men educated in the law, when they saw JESUS eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to HIS disciples, 'Why does your master eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'

JESUS heard them, and answered, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do.  I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Mark 2:13-17 

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

Levi is probably the apostle Matthew [Matthew 9:9].  In this case, like Simon, named Peter by JESUS, Levi would have been given the name of Matthew; in Hebrew Mattai means gift of GOD.)

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The Magnificent Promises Of GOD

 "Blessed is the people who know YOUR praise.  They walk in the light of YOUR face.  They celebrate all day, YOUR name and YOUR protection lifts them up.

YOU give us glory and power; and YOUR favor gives us victory.  Our king is in the hands of YAHWEH; the GOD of Israel is our shield.

- Psalm 89:16-17. 18-19

(There is no doubt about GOD's power and all kingship comes from HIM.  There is no doubt about GOD's promises either so whatever has happened cannot be final.

Here is a good psalm to pray in times of national or international conflict.  If a human being is injured.  GOD is injured.  The love of GOD is faithful.  Despite everything, the love of GOD cannot turn back.)

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The Marginalized

 "A leper came to JESUS and begged HIM, 'If YOU want to, YOU can make me clean.'  Moved with pity, JESUS stretched out HIS hand and touched him, saying, 'I do want to; be clean.'  The leprosy left the man at once and he was made clean.  As JESUS sent the man away, HE sternly warned him, 'Don't tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest; and for the cleansing, bring the offering ordered by Moses; in this way, you will give to them your testimony.'

However, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere, so that JESUS could no longer openly enter any town.  But even though HE stayed in the rural areas, people came to HIM from everywhere. - Mark 1:40-45 

(JESUS leaves Capernaum to announce the Good News to the most isolated and ignored families in the whole country.  There HE finds the lepers.  At that time leprosy was considered as a contagious disease.  Because of this, lepers had to live on the outskirts of the towns, far from the rest of the population.  There was also a belief that leprosy was an affliction from GOD, and the Jewish religion declared lepers unclean.

By JESUS act, the flesh of the leper becomes clean.  As a result of this, from that time on, he would be like others and people would no longer avoid him.  Both people and the law of GOD would acknowledge his dignity.

The Good News does not remain mere words but it effects a change.  From then on, they would no longer be marginalized people.

Don't tell anyone.  Very often, particularly in the Gospel of Mark, JESUS gives this order to those who have just been cured of an evil [1:25; 1:34; 1:44; 3:12; 5:43; 7:36; 8:26; 8:30].  We must note, however, that JESUS does not give this order when HE is outside Israel territory; and that the order is not given after the transfiguration.

JESUS imposed this silence during the first part of HIS public life because most of the people expected a warlike and vengeful Messiah.  JESUS did not want any ambiguity about HIS mission.  Only when JESUS had sufficiently distanced HIMSELF from this popular image of the Messiah, would HE begin to reveal, first to HIS disciples, the mystery of HIS person.

For this same reason Mark, who differs from Matthew, rarely uses the expression "Son of GOD."  Mark reserves it for the privileged moments of JESUS' revelation to people: HIS baptism and transfiguration, and at the conclusion of the passion on the lips of the centurion.)

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JESUS' Prayer At Night

 "Very early in the morning, before daylight, JESUS went off to a lonely place where HE prayed.  Simon and the others went out also, searching for HIM; and when they found HIM, they said, 'Everyone is looking for YOU.'  Then JESUS answered, 'Let us go to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came.'

So JESUS set out to preach in all synagogues throughout Galilee; HE also cast out demons." - Mark 1:35-39 

(The apostles knew GOD since childhood through the Scripture's teachings; perhaps they had not discovered GOD within their own lives but prayed to GOD as to a distant stranger.  When they joined JESUS, they immediately understood that there was something extraordinary about HIM.  They were especially taken with HIS apparent intimacy with GOD.  The most extraordinary thing they noted in HIS manner and actions was HIS intimate and faithful union with HIS FATHER.

Living with JESUS, they begin to desire to know the FATHER more fully, something like JESUS knows HIM [Luke 11:1; John 14:8; 15:15].)

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Hannah's Prayer

 "And this is the song of Hannah:

'The bow of the mighty is broken,

but the weak are girded with strength.

The well-fed must labor for  bread,

but the hungry need work no more.

The childless wife has borne seven children,

but the proud mother is left alone.

YAHWEH is LORD of life and death.

HE brings down to the grave and raises up.

YAHWEH makes poor and makes rich,

HE brings low and HE exalts.

HE lifts up the lowly from the dust,

and raises the poor from the ash heap;

they will be called to the company of princes,

and inherit a seat of honor.

The earth to its pillars belongs to YAHWEH

and on them HE has set the world.'"

- 1 Samuel 2:1. 4-5. 6-7. 8

(In her thanksgiving song, Hannah makes herself the spokesperson of all the despised people of the world.

YAHWEH is the GOD who saves the abandoned.  HE rejects those who put their trust in their arm and in their bow, in the food assured for their household, i.e., in themselves and their possessions.  HE manifests HIS glory in shifting the differences existing between people [as in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16:25].  

YAHWEH brings down to the grave and raises up.  The song of Hannah has a prophetic vision.  Like Hannah, we ought to be proud of our GOD, even more than in the material progress of our society which blesses the rich and the powerful.

The text condemns those who seek to advance in society and promote their own welfare with the sole purpose of ensuring their family's future.  One who sides with the weak will be saved.  Whereas others feel ashamed of their poor background, as laborers or farmers or of undeveloped condition of their country, the believer knows that the poor and the hungry contribute to the salvation of the world.  Where everything is wanting, it is easier to discover the value of human persons, and to understand that no world is worthy of humankind except one where food and dignity are given to all.)

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JESUS Calls HIS First Disciples

 "After John was arrested, JESUS went into Galilee and began preaching the Good News of GOD.  HE said, 'The time has come; the kingdom of GOD is at hand.  Change your ways and believe the Good News.'

As JESUS was walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, HE saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  And JESUS said to them, 'Follow ME, and I will make you fish for people.'  At once, they abandoned their nets and followed HIM.  JESUS went a little farther on, and saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee; they were in their boat mending their nets.  Immediately, JESUS called them and they followed HIM, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men." - Mark 1:14-20 

(After this desert experience, JESUS returns to HIS home province, Galilee, and establishes HIMSELF in Capernaum.  JESUS lives in the house of Simon, who already appears to be the leader of a group of fishermen, and among them JESUS finds HIS disciples.

 GOD becomes human, JESUS shares the life of the people of HIS time, and like the prophets HE teaches by what HE says and does.

The time has come.  What does that mean?  The time fixed by GOD has come to an end [Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10], the time of preparation has ended, and the manifestation of GOD announced by the prophets has already begun.

Change your ways and believe the Good News.  GOD does not expect works on the part of human beings but calls them to faith.  Be rid of all that hampers you, of all that prevents you from seeing and believe!  Believe that it is HE, and HE alone who is able to save you!

At once, they abandoned their nets and followed HIM, which means leaving their family and work they began to live with HIM.  Like the masters of religion in HIS time, like the rabbis, JESUS instructed HIS first disciples, teaching them what they were to pass on to others in the Church.

Simon, Andrew, James and John.  JESUS already knew them: HE had met them where John the Baptist was preaching [John 1:35].  The first nucleus of disciples is this natural group of lake fishermen of which Peter seemed to be the leader.  They were most probably young men, ready to make a commitment at a time and in a culture where people were freer than we are from the constraints of work.

They did not yet know what the Reign of GOD would mean but they trusted JESUS to guide them.  This for them was the beginning of faith.)

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Peter Presents JESUS

 "Peter then spoke to them, 'Truly, I realize that GOD does not show partiality, but in all nations HE listens to everyone who fears GOD and does good.  And this is the message HE has sent to the children of Israel, the good news of peace HE has proclaimed, through JESUS CHRIST, who is the LORD of all.  No doubt you have heard of the event that occurred throughout the whole country of the Jews, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism John preached.  You know how GOD anointed JESUS, the Nazorean with the Holy Spirit, and power.  HE went about doing good, and healing all who were under the devil's power, because GOD was with HIM...'" - Acts 10:34-38 

(HE sent HIS people.  Peter presents JESUS.  JESUS' life was that of an authentic prophet, who comes to continue the work of previous prophets, spokespersons of GOD's word.  But, in JESUS, GOD was offering the good news of peace, that is, GOD was reconciling humankind with HIMSELF, once and for all.  We are easily reminded of one of Paul's central points: see Romans 5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 and Ephesians 2:14-16.)

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John The Baptist's Last Testimony

 "After this, JESUS went into the territory of Judea with HIS disciples.  HE stayed there with them and baptized.  John was also baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, where water was plentiful; people came to him and were baptized.  This happened before John was put in prison.

Now John's disciples had been questioned by a Jew about spiritual cleansing, so they came to John and said, 'Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, and about whom you spoke favorably, is now baptizing, and all are going to HIM.'

John answered, 'No one can receive anything, except what has been given to HIM from heaven.  You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the CHRIST, but I have been sent before HIM.  Only the bridegroom has the bride; but the friend of the bridegroom stands by and listens, and rejoices to hear the bridegroom's voice.  My joy is now full.  It is necessary that HE increase, but that I decrease." - John 3:22-30 

(The Gospel admits that many disciples of John the Baptist did not recognize JESUS.  They had been drawn by their teacher's example: he was intense and outspoken, hard on himself in food, drink and clothing.  Somehow they had the hope, maybe because of John the Baptist's manner, that GOD's true justice would come and bring about direct punishment of the wicked.  Like militant followers of whatever good cause, John's disciples had this weakness: they were too focused on their own leaders and ways to consider other possibilities.  To become CHRIST's disciples, they would have to give up their own prophets.

It is necessary that HE increase but that I decrease, said the greatest of the prophets.  Only JESUS comes from On High, and can fully satisfy the human heart.  In HIM nothing of the good is lost, since HE embodies all.)

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The Whole World Lies In Evil

 "We know, that we belong to GOD, while the whole world lies in evil.

We know, that the Son of GOD has come and has given us power to know the truth.  We are in HIM who is true, HIS Son JESUS CHRIST.  HE is the true GOD, and eternal life.

My dear children, keep yourselves from idols." - 1 John 5:19-21 

(The whole world lies in evil.  As has already been mentioned, this world belongs to GOD who made it good.  Nevertheless, this world is not simply a building site wherein we work.  It is first the place where the evil one competes with GOD.  The evil one does not side with any group, atheist or materialist or whatever else, but everywhere transforms the best things into destroying idols--even among those looking for a more perfect life: keep yourselves from idols.  This warning of John at the end of this letter has special importance; it invites us to remain in the truth of the Word-of-GOD-made-man without allowing anything contrary to it, to enter.  For the Church this is a permanent temptation--as well as for every Christian  community--to make itself the center of everything, so that what matters is to recruit and to last.  Then when institutions believe that unity is assured by increasing authority, political and financial support are sought and mission is replaced with buildings.  There are a thousand ways of eluding what is provisional while the Spirit always feels more at ease with what is provisional.  In so doing the Christian community, the whole Church becomes a thick wall between GOD and humans, all the more becoming an "idol" in wishing to be holy, obeyed and infallible in all its decisions.  The Word became flesh, and the Church can only be the sacrament of GOD if she remains weak and vulnerable.)

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Faith Comes From GOD

 "All those, who believe that JESUS is the Anointed, are born of GOD; whoever loves the FATHER, loves the Son.  How may we know, that we love the children of GOD?  If we love GOD and fulfill HIS commands,

for GOD's love requires us to keep HIS commands.  In fact, HIS commandments are not a burden

because all those born of GOD overcome the world.  And the victory, which overcomes the world, is our faith.  Who has overcome the world?  The one who believes that JESUS is the Son of GOD." - 1 John 5:1-5 

(GOD-Love is the one who asks us to believe in HIS Son, and faith is a victory.  John wrote the Book of Revelation to give hope to persecuted believers, showing them the victory they share with CHRIST simply because they believe in HIM.  John repeats the same thing here in a different way.

Our greatest victory is to attain our inheritance as children of GOD and to reach the eternal life of GOD HIMSELF.  Those who believe in CHRIST have already come to the Truth, to GOD.

How may we know that we love the children of GOD?  John already told us: the person who loves GOD also loves his brothers and sisters.  Here, however, John expresses it the other way around: those who love their brothers and sisters are know by the fact that they love GOD.

Many things are called love; there may be something of love in all of them, more or less.  The love of GOD for us and the love that HE gives us toward other people cannot be confused with other loves.  The love springing from an authentic communion with GOD does not resemble sentimental love, blind and fickle.  Rather, it is effective, both in the sense that it liberates others and it transforms us in CHRIST.)

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JESUS Walks On The Water

 "Immediately, JESUS obliged HIS disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of HIM to the other side, toward Bethsaida, while  HE HIMSELF sent the crowd away.  And having sent the people off, HE went by HIMSELF to the hillside to pray.

When evening came, the boat was far out on the lake, while HE was alone on the land.  JESUS saw HIS disciples straining at the oars, for the wind was against them; and before daybreak HE came to them, walking on the lake, and HE was going to pass them by.

When they saw HIM walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw HIM and were terrified.  But, at once, HE called to them, 'Courage!  It is I; don't be afraid!'  Then JESUS got into the boat with them, and the wind died down.  They were completely astonished, for they had not really grasped the fact of the loaves; their minds were dull." - Mark 6:45-52 

(JESUS obliged them to get into the boat.  Why?  John's Gospel explains this [John 6:15].  Because the people, enthused by the miracle, wanted to make HIM a king and liberator sent by GOD.  Even the apostles were eager for this to happen.)

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GOD-Love Is The Source Of Love And Faith

 "My dear friends, let us love one another, or love comes from GOD.  Everyone who loves, is born of GOD and knows GOD.

Those who do not love have not known GOD, for GOD is love.

How did the love of GOD appear among us?  GOD sent HIS only Son into this world, that we might have life, through HIM.

This is love: not that we loved GOD, but that, HE first loved us and sent HIS Son, as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:7-10 

(GOD is love.  The supreme revelation, characteristic of the Christian faith.  Other religions know of a God who is good and compassionate: no other religion has known that the dynamism of love moves the entire creation and that its source lies in GOD-Love.

In this beautiful text John insists on the inseparability of love of GOD and love of our neighbor.  We all know this, but sometimes we might wonder why it is so.  John gives us the paramount reason; love comes from GOD.  If we can love GOD, it is because GOD loved us first; if we love each other it is because GOD's love extends among us [verse 12].

John also links love of GOD and faith in GOD: a true Christian believer is somebody who begins by "believing in GOD's love, and that GOD is love" [verse 16].

HE first loved us: through HIS eternal predestination [Ephesians 1:4], the sending of HIS Son and through HIS sacrifice [Romans 5:8].  If we are authentically loving, we never feel superior nor that we have merits, as do those who boast of their good works.  We simply realize that the love of GOD works through us.

The lives of those who dedicate themselves lovingly to serving the abandoned, the sick, the elderly, and those no longer useful to society are justified and so are the lives of those who withdraw from ordinary life to dedicate themselves more totally to a more intimate love of GOD.)

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The Messiah, King, Priest And Judge

 "YAHWEH said to my LORD,

'Sit at MY right hand

till I make YOUR foes YOUR footstool.'

From Zion YAHWEH will extend YOUR mighty scepter;

and YOU will rule in the midst of YOUR enemies.

YOURS is royal dignity

from the day YOU were born in holy majesty.

Like dew from the womb of the dawn,

I have begotten YOU.

YAHWEH has sworn,

and HE will not take back HIS word:

'YOU are a priest, forever,

in the order of Melchizedek.'

The LORD is at YOUR right hand

to crush the kings on HIS day of wrath.

HE will judge the nations,

heaping up corpses,

smashing heads on the wide plain."

- Psalm 110:1-2. 3-4. 5-6

(Sometimes we feel trapped, as if in prison, by the problems of life.  This psalm is like a flash of lightning illuminating the prison and showing us an unexpected escape towards heaven.  In spite of some obscure expressions, the overall meaning is clear: from Zion will come, the one who will be victorious over all the hostile powers.  The struggle will be hard, but GOD will finally ask HIM to sit at HIS right; and all will be subject to HIM.  Our LORD is the Son of GOD.

We can pray with this psalm, evoking the political consciousness of authority.  A Christian reading asks for the psalm, to be deprived of its violence.  CHRIST is king and priest, but king 'of justice, love, and peace;' the priest who entered the sanctuary through HIS own blood and has opened up for us access to the sanctuary.  Let us pray for the people of GOD, who are kingly and priestly people.)

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CHRIST Saves Humans Because HE Is A Man

 "But when the fullness of time came, GOD sent HIS Son.  HE came, born of woman, and subject to the law, in order to redeem the subjects of the law, that we might receive adoption, as children of GOD.  And because you are children, GOD has sent into your hearts, the spirit of HIS Son, who cries out: ABBA! that is, FATHER!

You, yourself, are no longer a slave, but a son or daughter, and yours is the inheritance, by GOD's grace." - Galatians 4:4-7

(HE came born of woman and subject to the law.  CHRIST saves humans because HE is a man.  CHRIST came first as the savior of the Jewish people and, to save them, HE became one of them.  HE received HIS whole formation from the law, namely, from the people and religion of the Old Testament.  The law was highly positive, but, as time passed, we had to be redeemed from the yoke of this law to receive the fulness of divine truth.

We must see in this obedience of CHRIST born of woman and subject to the law a fundamental disposition of the plan of salvation.  GOD saves us by becoming one of us.  The same is now true of the Church, which saves people rather than giving to them or "being interested in them."  The Church cannot bring them a permanent and transforming salvation if it does not share in their very condition.

This is the reason why the LORD wants Third World churches to bear the cross of the people of their continents: their marginalization, their sufferings and humiliations, in order to lead them to authentic salvation.  When there are only middle-class churches following occidental or Roman patterns, these churches are unfaithful to their mission.)

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The Fourth Criterion: To Be Sure We Are Walking In The Light, We Must Reject The Antichrist

 "My dear children, it is the last hour.  You were told, that an antichrist would come; but several antichrists have already come, by which, we know, that it is, now, the last hour.

They went out, from us, though they did not really belong to us.  Had they belonged to us, they would have remained with us.  So, it became clear, that, not all of us were really ours.

But you have the anointing from the Holy One, so that all of you have true wisdom.

I write to you, not because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you already know it, and lies have nothing in common with the truth." - 1 John 2:18-21 

(The fourth criterion: to be sure we are walking in the Light, we must reject the antichrist and remain steadfast in the faith and in what faith teaches.  The believers of John's days knew that before the glorious return of CHRIST, an antichrist would appear.  John says: the person who denies that JESUS is the CHRIST already is an antichrist.  Today there are still many people who make a distinction: on one hand the man JESUS, lost in the midst of legend and on the other hand an idealized CHRIST adored by believers.  John says: "The one who has come in history, HE HIMSELF is eternal GOD.")

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The Third Criterion: Not To Love The World

 "My dear children, I write this to you: you have already received the forgiveness of your sins, through the name of JESUS.  Fathers, I write this to you: you know HIM, who is from the beginning.  Young men, I write this to you: you have overcome the evil one.  My dear children, I write to you, because you already know the FATHER.

Fathers, I write to you, because you know HIM, who is from the beginning.  Young men, I write to you, because you are strong, and the word of GOD lives in you, who have, indeed, overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world, or what is in it.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the FATHER is not in him.

For everything in the world--

the craving of the flesh,

the greed of eyes

and people boasting of their superiority--

all this, belongs to the world, not to the FATHER.

The world passes away, with all its craving, but those who do the will of GOD remain for ever." - 1 John 2:12-17 

(The  third criterion: not to love the world.  Note how John begins by rejoicing with his readers because they know the FATHER.  It is not a matter of hating the world that CHRIST came to save.  Yet the life and history of people manifest a deep alienation: this is the power of the evil spirit.  John calls "the world" all the evil current prevailing in it.  According to John the world is the deceitful life which people live when they cease to seek the FATHER's will, and when they oppose CHRIST.  Two contrary forces coexist in this world of ours and also in people: what comes from the FATHER and is forever; and what is planned and desired by humans when they forget their condition and dignity as children of GOD: greed and pride that lead them to death.

There is something more to say about this not loving the world.  Even though all that comes from GOD is good: the sunlight, love, what emerges from human intelligence and hands, yet the whole creation is worth nothing if we compare it with GOD.

As long as we look upon the world as the great gift that GOD gave us and we feel accountable to HIM for its progress and development, the world is good for us.  As soon as we consider the world as our thing, use it or neglect it according to our fancy, or if we think we can change it alone and by force, it becomes our worst enemy, an idol that enslaves us and is the source of rivalries.  Christians commit themselves to the world [first case] but not with the world [second case].  They keep their freedom as children of GOD or they are no longer sons and daughters because of their love for the world.)

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The Second Criterion For Love Of GOD: To Obey The Commandments That Are Summarized In Love

 "How can we know that we know HIM?  If we fulfill HIS commands.

If you say, 'I know HIM,' but do not fulfill HIS commands, you are a liar and the truth is not in you.  But if you keep HIS word, GOD's love is made complete in you.  This is how we know that we are in HIM:

he who claims to live in HIM must live as HE lived.

My dear friends, I am not writing you a new commandment, but reminding you of an old one, one you had from the beginning.  This old commandment is the word you have heard.

But, in a way, I give it as a new commandment, that is true in HIM, and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.

If you claim to be in the light, but hate your brother, you are still in darkness.

If you love your brothers and sisters, you remain in the light, and nothing in you will make you fall.  But if you hate your brother, you are in the dark, and walk in darkness, without knowing where you go, for the darkness has blinded you." - 1 John 2:3-11 

(The second criterion for love of GOD: to obey the commandments that are summarized in love.  Do we perhaps pretend to know GOD and to believe?  If so, it must be measured by the love we have for others.

An old commandment, because it is the first one we learned in the Church; a new commandment, because the world must constantly, and in new ways, discover the power of love.)

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The First Criterion To Know If We Are Walking In The Light: Have We Given Up Sin?

 "We heard his message, from him, and announce it to you: GOD is light and there is no darkness in HIM.

If we say we are in fellowship with HIM, while we walk in darkness, we lie, instead of being in truth.  But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we are in fellowship with one another; and the blood of JESUS, the Son of GOD, purifies us from all sin.

If we say, 'We have no sin,' we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, HE, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all wickedness.

If we say that we do not sin, we make GOD a liar, HIS word is not in us." - 1 John 1:5-10 

(But if we walk in the light: this is the Christian life.

Over and beyond other truths which people discover, there is a light [an evidence or a presence] which is total Truth and which cannot be divided: one is or is not in the light.  It does not give knowledge directly, but affects the whole person who acts, lives, and walks in the Light.  Those walking in faith discover this light and find themselves freed from many obstacles:

- the partial vision of one who is enthusiastic for a cause but ignores other issues that are equally important, of one who orders one part of his life but leaves in disorder other parts;

- the restlessness of one who does not have a goal and who silences his doubts by throwing himself into frantic activity;

 - the sectarianism that prevents us from being "universal brothers and sisters."

Little by little faith opens for us a global vision of human reality.  The first criterion to know if we are walking in the light: have we given up sin?  John here denies what certain people say: "Since we are Christians, we are united to GOD and so the sins of the body are not important."

John declares that if we decide for GOD, we cannot continue to surrender to sin.  Obviously, no one is without sin; we all need the salvation of CHRIST; but forgiveness itself compels us even more to stay away from sin.

John invites us to confess our sins to GOD, that is to say, to admit humbly before GOD that we have sinned, but with confidence in HIS kindness.  If this attitude were not present, the sacrament of "confession" would be worthless.  On the other hand, confessing our sins in the sacrament of penance helps us keep our hearts open to GOD.)

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The Holy Innocents

 "After the wise men had left, an angel of the LORD appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, 'Get up, take the child and HIS mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will soon be looking for the child in order to kill HIM.'

Joseph got up, took the child and HIS mother, and left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.  In this way, what the LORD had said through the prophet was fulfilled: I called MY son out of Egypt.

When Herod found out that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was furious.  He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its neighborhood who were two years old or under.  This was done, according to what he had learned from the wise men about the time when the star appeared.

In this way, what the prophet Jeremiah had said was fulfilled: A cry is heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation: Rachel weeps for her children.  She refuses to be comforted, for they are no more." - Matthew 2:13-18 

(In relating the story about the slaughter of innocent children and the flight into Egypt, Matthew quotes two verses from the prophets Hosea and Jeremiah about the trials and sufferings of GOD's people in past times.  JESUS must live in exile and anguish, as did HIS ancestors.  Persecution begins with HIS birth and will follow HIM till HIS death.  Mary [and Joseph to a lesser degree] was associated with JESUS' sufferings and saving mission.

Christian tradition has always held that the "Innocents" associated with the Passion of CHRIST without having wished it also shared in HIS glory without having merited it.  This invites us to be mindful of the fact that the mysterious love of GOD envelops millions of massacred children and other hundreds of millions of massacred children and other hundreds of millions killed before seeing the light of day.  What should we think of so many stifled possibilities?  Individuals and society responsible for this disaster suffer the consequences; but GOD has all destinies in hand, HE knows them in advance, and no one by destroying life is able to limit GOD's generosity.  No matter how much innocent blood the enemies of the Gospel spill, they will not be able to extinguish the Church or to block GOD 's plans.) 

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