Ingratitude of Man: The Story Of Israel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Testimony

 "I can do nothing of MYSELF.  As I hear, so I judge, and MY judgment is just, because I seek not MY own will, but the will of HIM who sent ME.

If I bore witness to MYSELF, MY testimony would be worthless.  But Another One is bearing witness to ME, and I know that HIS testimony is true when HE bears witness to ME.  John also bore witness to the truth when you sent messengers to him, but I do not seek such human testimony; I recall this for you, so that you may be saved.

John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were willing to enjoy his light.  But I have greater evidence than that of John--the works which the FATHER entrusted to ME to carry out.  The very works I do bear witness: the FATHER has sent ME.  Thus HE who  bears witness to ME is the FATHER who sent ME.  You have never heard HIS voice and have never seen HIS likeness; therefore, as long as you do not believe HIS messenger, HIS word is not in you." - John 5:30-38 

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

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

- HIS works, that is, HIS miracles.

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

- the words of the Scriptures that refer to HIM.

Some people say that since Scripture is the word of GOD they do not need anything more than that to guide them.  Let them know that just as GOD spoke through events and through prophets, HE continues speaking to us through actual events and through spokespersons of the Spirit in the Church.  JESUS rebuked those who believed they possessed the truth just by having the Scriptures, but did not believe in HIM whom GOD was sending them.)

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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.

The man had a measuring cord in his hand.  As he went towards the east he measured off a thousand cubits; and led me across the water which was up to my ankles.  He measured off another thousand cubits and made me cross the water, which came to my knees.  He measured off another thousand cubits and we crossed the water, which was up to my waist.  When he had again measured a thousand cubits, I could not cross the torrent, for it had swollen to a depth which was impossible to cross without swimming.

The man then said to me, 'Son of man, did you see?'  He led me on further and then brought me back to the bank of the river.  There I saw a number of trees on both sides of the river.  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 on 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 47:1-9. 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.)

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Unless You See Signs And Wonders, You Will Not Believe!

 "JESUS went back to Cana of Galilee, where HE had changed the water into wine.  At Capernaum there was an official, whose son was ill, and when he heard that JESUS had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and asked HIM to come and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

JESUS said, 'Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe!'  The official said, 'Sir, come down before my child dies.'  And JESUS relied, 'Go, your son lives!'

The man had faith in the word that JESUS spoke to him, and went his way.  As he was approaching his house, his servants met him, and gave him the good news, 'Your son has recovered!'  So he asked them at what hour the child began to recover, and they said to him, 'The fever left him yesterday, at about one o'clock in the afternoon.'  And the father realized that that was the time when JESUS had told him, 'Your son lives!'  And he became a  believer, he and all his family.

JESUS performed this second miraculous sign when HE returned from Judea to Galilee." - John 4:46-54 

(Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.  JESUS' reproach is directed, not to the official who will later show great faith, but to the Jews and to us.  While JESUS works miracles which confirm HIS mission, HE also stresses that we should recognize HIM by seeing and hearing HIM.  Do lovers demand miracles in order to trust one another?  Do those who follow leaders demand absolute proof?  Those who really seek the truth recognize it when it is presented to them.

JESUS second miracle in Cana concludes this second part of the Gospel in which JESUS defines HIMSELF in relation to Jewish society and its hopes.

Now begins a new section: JESUS proclaims the work for which HE has come into this world; HIS FATHER has sent HIM to judge and to give life.  We must first believe in the Messenger of GOD.) 

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In CHRIST, GOD Reconciled The World With HIMSELF

 "For that same reason, the one who is in CHRIST is a new creature.  For him, the old things have passed away; a new world has come.  All this is the work of GOD, who, in CHRIST, reconciled us to HIMSELF, and who entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation.  Because, in CHRIST, GOD reconciled the world with HIMSELF, no longer taking into account their trespasses, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

So we present ourselves as ambassadors, in the name of CHRIST, as if GOD, HIMSELF, makes an appeal to you, through us.  Let GOD reconcile you; this, we ask you, in the name of CHRIST.  HE had no sin, but GOD made HIM bear our sin, so, that, in HIM, we might share the holiness of GOD." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 

(The one who is in CHRIST is a new creature: first because the barriers that divide and separate people no longer exist for him [see Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 2:14-16].  Also because it is not human desires that guide him, but the Spirit of GOD who recreates him at every instant [Galatians 5:13-21].

In CHRIST, GOD reconciled the world with HIMSELF.  Many people like to say: JESUS is love.  This is true, but let us not forget that this love is HIS response to the love of the FATHER who wishes to reconcile us; we must do away with the idea of an angry GOD whom JESUS tries to appease [Romans 3:25].

Who entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation.  Christians are not satisfied with only singing the praises of GOD, and their supreme aspiration is not to find a likeable community.  They do their part in the task of universal reconciliation that supposes a denunciation of injustice and sin, and the effort to overcome them.  Today the Church says a great deal about this so that we may better understand our mission in the world and in the conflicts and tensions that tear our nations apart.

We present ourselves as ambassadors in the name of CHRIST.  This is not only true of the apostles and Paul.  It is also meant for us when we go to visit the sick or the needy; when, overcoming suspicion, we approach our brother and sister to create an atmosphere of confidence, so that, shortly, we may arrive at fraternal fellowship with others who have the same problems but who, in spite of that, often remain locked in their selfishness.

HE had no sin.  It is difficult to translate Paul's words: "HE made sin HIM who did not know sin," for obviously Paul here speaks according to Hebrew culture where the same word denotes both the sin and the victim who carries the sin.  Paul recalls the mystery of the cross: reconciliation is not achieved without voluntary victims who take on themselves the hatred and the sin of humankind.)

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It Is Love That I Desire, Not Sacrifice

 "Come, let us return to YAHWEH.

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

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

Two days later HE will bring us back to life;

on the third day, HE will raise us up,

and we shall live in HIS  presence.

Let us strive to know YAHWEH.

HIS  coming is as certain as the dawn;

HIS judgment will burst forth like the light;

HE will come to us as showers come,

like spring rain that waters the earth.

O Ephraim, what shall I do with you?

O Judah, how shall I deal with you?

This love of yours is like morning mist,

like morning dew that quickly disappears.

This is why I smote you through the prophets,

and have slain you by the words of MY mouth.

For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice;

it is knowledge of GOD, not burnt offerings."

- Hosea 6:1-6

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

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

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Here I AM To Do YOUR Will

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

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

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

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

(These verses say that we passed from a religion where everything is a continual beginning again to a new state where we are in the definitive now.  Here we have an aspect of the Christian faith that is not easy to accept.

The sacraments we receive--and the pardon we receive in the Church--are never more than the application at the present moment of that which has been done once and for all.  All has been given in JESUS.  John does not hesitate to say that whoever is in CHRIST does not sin [John 3:6]: he does not commit a sin that leads to death [1 John 5:17].  Only sins that cause a total rupture with CHRIST can bring us back to our former state of "death."  Although it is certain that confession is of great help to overcome sin, let us not think a Christian continually passes from mortal sin to grace by confessing, sinning again, and confessing again.)

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The Chosen People Will Have Peace If They Listen To The Word Of Their GOD

 "One thing I did command them: Listen to MY voice and I will be your GOD and you will be MY people.  Walk in the way I command you and all will be well with you.  But they did not listen and paid no attention.  They followed the bad habits of their stubborn heart and turned away from ME.

From the time I brought their ancestors out of Egypt until this day I have continually sent them MY servants, the prophets; but this stiff-necked people did not listen.  They paid no attention and were worse than their ancestors.

You may say all these things to them but they will not listen.  You will call them but they will not answer.  This is a nation that did not obey YAHWEH and refused to be disciplined.  Truth has perished and is no longer heard from their lips." - Jeremiah 7:23-28  

(Jeremiah repeats the warnings of Deuteronomy.  This book had just been discovered [2 Kings 22].  The chosen people will have peace if they listen to the word of their GOD.  In the same way we also must go beyond our religious practices and listen to the LORD.)

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Not The Smallest Letter Or Dot In The Law Will Change Until All Is Fulfilled

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

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

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

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

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Prayer For Protection And Forgiveness

 "Teach me YOUR ways, O YAHWEH, make known to me YOUR paths.

Guide me in YOUR truth and instruct me, for YOU are my GOD, my savior; I hope in YOU all day long.

Remember YOUR compassion, O YAHWEH, YOUR unfailing love from of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth, but in YOUR love remember me.

Good and upright, YAHWEH teaches sinners HIS way.

HE teaches the humble of heart and guides them in what is right."

- Psalm 25:4-5. 6. 7. 8. 9

(This psalm is a model 'act of contrition.'  It does not try to stir up an emotional sorrow.  It simply states the case, admits the guilt, and asks for mercy.  Can anyone before GOD do more?

Scripture does not know despair.  We can  be broken by sorrow, anxiety, the weight of sin, but there is always an escape.  All our paths, even the worst, can finally lead to a love stronger than all the powers of this world.

In praying this psalm, the psalmist has asked GOD for many favors.  Our prayers like his, have been answered several times by JESUS who in John 14:6 says, "I AM the way, the truth and the life."  And then again, in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to ME, all of you who...carry heavy burdens...for MY yoke is good and MY burden is light."  In fact, ALL answers have been provided to us by JESUS in the Gospels.  If only we believe!)   

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No Prophet Is Honored In His Own Country

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

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

(Luke explains why the people of Nazareth rejected JESUS:

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

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

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We Cannot Believe In GOD Without Believing In Justice

 "One day, some people told JESUS what had occurred in the temple: Pilate had had Galileans killed, and their blood mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.  JESUS asked them, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this?  No, I tell you.  But unless you change your ways, you will all perish, as they did.

And those eighteen persons in Siloah, who were crushed when the tower fell, do you think they were more guilty than all the others in Jerusalem?  I tell you: no.   But unless you change your ways, you will all perish, as they did.'" - Luke 13:1-5 

(In this passage JESUS questions the idea we have of GOD's punishment.  We cannot believe in GOD without believing in justice.  For the Greeks whose gods were capricious and not very honest, justice was a divine power superior to the gods.  We always tend to make ourselves the center of the world and believe we are better than others.  If misfortune falls on someone else, we think it is just, but when it is our turn, we ask: "What have I done against GOD that this should happen to me?"

The Gospel deals with several aspects of the question.  First of all let us try to be free of a ghetto mentality [see 6:32]: the evil done by our enemies is not worse than the evil we do.

The justice of GOD goes far beyond our justice, and is only really fulfilled in the next life [the case of Lazarus, 16:19].

The misfortune, which to us here below appears as the "punishment of GOD," is no more than a sign, a pedagogical measure used by GOD often converts a sinner by granting him unexpected favors [see the case of Zaccheus, 19:1].

Then why is there so much about GOD's punishment in the Old Testament?  GOD's people did not know yet an afterlife, so it was necessary to speak of GOD's punishments in this life, for these people to believe in HIS justice.  In fact GOD continues to give such signs both for persons and for communities.  It is good to know how to recognize them, keeping in mind they are not the last word of GOD's justice.)  

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I Live In A House Of Cedar But The Ark Of GOD Is Housed In A Tent

 "When the king had settled in his palace and YAHWEH had rid him of all his surrounding enemies, he said to Nathan the prophet, 'Look, I live in a house of cedar but the Ark of GOD is housed in a tent.'  Nathan replied, 'Do as it seems fit to you for YAHWEH is with you.'

But that very night, YAHWEH's word came to Nathan, 'Go and tell MY servant David, this is what YAHWEH says: Are you able to build a house for ME to live in?  I have not dwelt in a house since I brought the Israelites up from Egypt to the present day.  But I went about with a tent for shelter.  As long as I walked with the Israelites, did I say anything to the chiefs of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd MY people Israel?  Did I say: Why have you not built ME a house of cedar?'" - 2 Samuel 7:1-7 

(David thinks that if the king has a palace, why should GOD not have one?  GOD, who is greater, thinks otherwise and makes this known to HIS prophet Nathan.

In ancient times it was unthinkable that a capital city be without its temple and its palace.  GOD and the king were inseparable associates to ensure that good order of the state.  This concept strongly linked to the nature of religion will however be challenged by the Gospel.

GOD will be the one to make David a house.  House in Scripture refers to both persons and things belonging to someone.  David's "house" is his family, his servants, his counselors and officials.)

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GOD's Faithfulness To HIS Promise

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

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

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

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

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

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Modern-Day Lazarus

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modern-day Lazarus are kept at a distance from the residential areas by police, dogs and barbed  wires.  They would like to get their fill of the crumbs that are left over from the feast, but there are few scraps falling back to the homeland, after everything is wasted on imported products or deposited in foreign banks.  Lazarus lives among dogs and rubbish: he becomes a prostitute, or a pickpocket, until a premature death enables him to find someone who loves him: at the side of Abraham and the angels.

Meanwhile, the rich person works hard, not so much to enjoy life as to convince himself that he is right: even the Church should justify him and the separation.  It is this perversion of his mind that takes him to hell, after having inspired in him hatred or contempt for all those who proclaim the demands of justice taught by Moses and the prophets, that is to say, by the Scriptures.

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

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Confident Prayer In Distress

 "... free me from the snare that they have set for me.  Indeed YOU are my protector.

Into YOUR hands I commend my spirit; YOU have redeemed me, O YAHWEH, faithful GOD.

I hear whispering among the crowd, rumors that frighten me from every side--their conspiracies, their schemes, their plot to take my life.

But I put my trust in YOU, O YAHWEH, I said: 'YOU are my GOD;'

my days are in YOUR hand.  Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, from those after my skin.

Make YOUR face shine upon YOUR servant; save me in YOUR love."

- Psalm 31:5-6. 14. 15-16. 17

(This psalm has so many nuances and so many different perspectives that, whoever prays with it, can remain wherever he feels more comfortable.  At the end of the psalm, love prevails.

The psalmist appears to be in a state of desperation.  At times, we too can identify ourselves with such a situation.  However, he does not give up hope when he asks the LORD to, "Save me in YOUR love" in the very last words.  There also are prophetic words in this psalm as JESUS HIMSELF in Luke 23:46 utters the words, "Into YOUR hands I commend MY spirit."  JESUS once again shows us the way, even at the last hour.  Our hope and trust in the LORD can be restored by repeatedly praying with this psalm.)

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Do Not Be Called MASTER Or FATHER

 "But you, do not let yourselves be called Master, because you have only one MASTER, and all of you are brothers and sisters.  Neither should you call anyone on earth Father, because you have only one FATHER, HE who is in heaven.  Nor should you be called Leader, because CHRIST is the only LEADER for you.  Let the greatest among you be the servant of all.  For whoever makes himself great shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be made great." - Matthew 23:8-12 

(JESUS speaks of the form of authority.  Do not be called "Master," the one "who knows" and before whom one is silent; neither must you be called "Father," the one who is venerated  and imitated, forgetting to look directly at the One who alone is good.  No one in the Church should eclipse the only "Father."

Doubtless everyone will say that the word "Father" is simply the expression of respectful affection but JESUS affirms that the word has perverse effects.

The purity of faith, which submits to GOD alone, always suffers because of the cult of personality.  The Church should be a community of free persons able to speak frankly.)

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Perfection For Us Consists In Imitating The FATHER

 "'Be merciful, just as your FATHER is merciful.

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

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

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

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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.

Hear my voice when I call, O YAHWEH,

have mercy on me and answer.

My heart says to YOU,

'I seek YOUR face, O YAHWEH.'

Do not hide YOUR face from me

nor turn away YOUR servant in anger.

YOU are my protector, do not reject me;

abandon me not, O GOD my savior!

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. 7-8. 8-9. 13-14

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

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Love Your Enemies; And Pray For Those Who Persecute You

 "You have heard, that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy.  But this I tell you: love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your FATHER in Heaven.  For HE makes HIS sun rise on both the wicked and the good; and HE gives rain to both the just and the unjust.

If you love those who love you, what is special about that?  Do not even tax collectors do as much?  And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that?  Do not even the pagans do as much?  As for you, be perfect, as your heavenly FATHER is perfect." - Matthew 5:43-48 

(Here we come to the last of the opposites between the Old Law and the New.  The Old Testament spoke of loving a neighbor and this was a matter of solidarity among the members of the people of GOD.  With the Gospel the word "love" is not only given a wider dimension: it introduces us into a world totally different.  Solidarity within the group is supported by an instinct inscribed in nature.  This love however does not cross the frontiers that separate social groups: these only exist and find their identity in opposing others.  [See Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; Romans 12:20; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; Romans 12:14; Ephesians 5:1].) 

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If The Sinner Turns From His Sin, He Will Live

 "If the sinner turns from his sin, observes MY decrees and practices what is right and just, he will live; he will not die.  None of the sins he committed will be charged against him; he will live, as a consequence of his righteous deeds.  Do I want the death of the sinner?--word of YAHWEH.  Do I not, rather, want him to turn from his ways and live?

But if the righteous man turns away from what is good, and commits sins as the wicked do, will he live?  His righteous deeds will no longer be credited to him; but he will die, because of his infidelity and his sins.

But you say: YAHWEH's way is not just!  Why, Israel!  Is MY position wrong?  Is it not rather that yours is wrong?  If the righteous man turns from his righteous deeds, and sins, then he dies, because of his sins.  And if the wicked man does what is good and right, after turning from the sins he committed, he will save his life.  He will live and not die, because he has opened his eyes; and turned from the sins he had committed." - Ezekiel 18:21-2 

 (Everyone will have time to decide freely.  If people are evil and then decide to do good, GOD will wait for their conversion and will take their last orientation into account.

In later times, wise people will note that oftentimes evil people do not receive their punishment, nor good people their reward in this life [see Job 21]; it will become obvious to them that GOD's justice will be achieved in the next life.)

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Thanksgiving To A Faithful GOD

 "I thank YOU, O YAHWEH, with all my heart,

for YOU have heard the word of my lips.

I sing YOUR praise in the presence of the gods.

I bow down toward YOUR holy temple

and give thanks to YOUR name,

for YOUR love and faithfulness,

for YOUR word, which exceeds everything.

YOU answered me when I called;

YOU restored my soul and made me strong.

If I walk in the midst of trouble,

YOU give me life.

With outstretched arm,

YOU save me from the wrath of my foes,

with YOUR right hand, YOU deliver me.

How YAHWEH cares for me!

YOUR kindness, O YAHWEH, endures forever.

Forsake not the work of YOUR hands."

- Psalm 138:1-2. 2-3. 7-8

(The great GOD, LORD of the world and of angels, cares for us, constantly surpassing what we could expect from HIM.

The one who prays does not know how his own future will be.  He is certain, however, that if the dangers are great, the hand of GOD is saving and HIS love is eternal.  GOD cannot forsake the work of HIS hands.  Thanksgiving has a future.

The psalmist thanks GOD repeatedly for answering his prayers.  Indeed, our prayers will be answered because JESUS told us so.  JESUS even taught us how to pray [Matthew 6:9], and told us to ask and we will receive [Matthew 7:7] and whatever we ask in prayer full of faith, you will receive [Matthew 21:22].)

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Do Not Worry!

 "Do not set your heart on what you are to eat and drink; stop worrying!  Let all the nations of the world run after these things; your FATHER knows that you need them.  Seek, rather, HIS kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your FATHER to give you the kingdom." - Luke 12:29-32 

(Do not be afraid little flock.  Nowhere in the Gospel does JESUS lead us to believe that with time most people will be converted.

We know that the non-Christian world is numerically much more important than the "Christian" world and it grows more rapidly.  When large numbers in the "Christian" world give up the practice of religion, we understand that the Church is both a sign and a little flock.

JESUS asks each one of us to be detached from earthly things and HE also asks the same of the flock.  What matters for the church is not the building of powerful institutions nor the holding of key posts in society "for the greater glory of GOD."  A Church which awaits the return of the Master is careful to be ready to pack their bags, wherever it may be, when the LORD will send them out and ask them to become missionary again.

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A Magnificent Expression Of The Work Of GOD, The Savior

 "As the rain and the snow come down

from the heavens and do not return

till they have watered the earth,

making it yield seed for the sower

and food for others to eat,

so is MY word that goes forth out of MY mouth:

it will not return to ME idle,

but it shall accomplish MY will,

the purpose for which it has been sent." 

- Isaiah 55:10-11

(Here the word of GOD appears personified.  It is already much more than the words spoken by the prophets.  This word which comes from the FATHER and returns to HIM will be presented by the apostle John in the first page of his Gospel: it is CHRIST.  See also in 45:8.)

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Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

 "When you reap the harvest of your land do not reap to the extreme limits of your field or gather the gleanings after your harvest.  Do not strip your vineyard bare and do not gather the grapes that have fallen; leave them for the needy and the stranger.  I AM YAHWEH, your GOD." - Leviticus 19:9-10 

(Among so many laws which show still primitive level of GOD's people, we marvel to find some prescriptions that teach deeply human attitudes often lacking in us.

These prescriptions, addressed to a race of small farmers, must be interpreted in order to adapt them to the circumstances of our present lives.

They teach us that the "right of ownership" is not absolute and that it never justifies oppression of the poor, nor does it excuse us from helping them.  We are ordered to care for our brothers and sisters to assure everyone what is necessary to live.)

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Under The Wing Of GOD's Protection

 "You, who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,

who rest in the shadow of the Almighty,

say to YAHWEH, 'My stronghold,

my refuge, my GOD in whom I trust!'

no harm will come upon you;

no disaster will draw near your home.

For HE will command HIS angels

to guard you in all your ways.

They will lift you up with their hands,

so that your foot will not hit a stone.

You will tread on wildcats and snakes,

and trample the lion and the dragon."

- Psalm 91:1-2. 10-11. 12-13

(This is a powerful psalm prayed daily for protection against the powers of the Evil One.  It is so powerful that even the devil tried to use it in his own devious way, to tempt JESUS in the desert [Matthew 4:6].  Of course, he was not successful and therefore, we have the assurance that he will not be successful in tempting us either.

It will be good to pray with this psalm, to ratify and purify our trust in GOD, precisely when dangers besiege us.)

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'Whatever You Ask For In Prayer Full Of Faith, You Will Receive.'

 "Listen, O YAHWEH, and answer me, for I am afflicted and needy.

Preserve my life, for I am GOD-fearing; save YOUR servant who trusts in YOU.

Have mercy on me, O YAHWEH, for I cry to YOU all day.

Bring joy to the soul of YOUR servant; for YOU, O YAHWEH, I lift up my soul.

YOU are good and forgiving, O YAHWEH, caring for those who call on YOU.

Listen, O YAHWEH, to my prayer, hear the voice of my pleading."

- Psalm 86:1-2. 3-4. 5-6

(Whenever we live moments of anguish, whatever their cause, it will be good for us to confide our burden on another, on GOD, whose presence in this psalm, is comforting.  JESUS tells us in Matthew 11:24: 'Whatever you ask for in prayer full of faith, you will receive.'  We have this assurance from JESUS HIMSELF.  So, full of faith, let us also pray to GOD, for whatever we need, assured that it will be answered.)

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The Kind Of Fast That Pleases ME

 "See the fast that pleases ME:

breaking the fetters of injustice

and unfastening the thongs of the yoke,

setting the oppressed free

and breaking every yoke.

Fast by sharing your food with the hungry,

bring to your house the homeless,

clothe the one you see naked

and do not turn away from your own kin.

Then will your light break forth as the dawn

and your healing come in a flash.

Your righteousness will be your vanguard,

the glory of YAHWEH your rearguard.

Then you will call and YAHWEH will answer,

you will cry and HE will say, I AM here."

- Isaiah 58:6-9

(Unfastening the thongs of the yoke.  Here we have a glimpse of the tremendous effort demanded of all in order to do away with every form of slavery: from the small privileges that working companions compete for, to the laws that keep entire groups marginated.  It includes breaking the yoke of husbands' domination over their wives and the disputes between neighbors when no one dares to take the first step.

It is not enough to be converted to GOD "from the heart," for conversion comes about by changing both persons and structures.  These make us share in the injustices and sins of the society in which we live.  An incredible number of sins--corruption, prostitution, violence--are linked to colonialism and the economic and cultural dependence that go with it.

Sharing your food with the hungry: and that on a world scale for humankind is one, the only Adam of whom CHRIST is the head.

Your light with break forth as the dawn.  We see the leaders of the nations come together, discuss and study in order to solve the urgent problems of humanity.  No light breaks forth.  It is a known fact that the research of a scientist does not bring him directly to great discoveries.  Rather, he often finds the solution suddenly where he did not expect it.  In the same way, human problems resist theoretical solutions, but unexpected ways will be found when every nation and every segment of society willingly shares and no longer oppresses others.)

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Let Me Seek Not So Much To Be Consoled As To Console, To Be Understood As To Understand, To Be Loved As To Love

 "And HE added, 'The Son of Man must suffer many things.  HE will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the law, and be put to death.  Then after three days HE will be raised to life.'

JESUS also said to all the people, 'If you wish to be a follower of MINE, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow ME!  For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for MY sake, you will save it.  What does it profit you to gain the whole world, if you destroy or damage yourself?'" - Luke 9:22-25 

(Why did JESUS ask HIS apostles the questions we have just read?  The Gospel answers clearly: because the time had come for JESUS to announce HIS passion to them.  JESUS had not only come to teach people but to open for them the door leading to the Resurrection.  Since HIS apostles now know HIM to be the Savior promised to Israel, they must learn that there is no salvation if death is not conquered [1 Corinthians 15:25].  JESUS will obtain this victory when HE freely chooses the way of the cross: the Son of Man has to suffer much and be rejected by the authorities.

Immediately after that, JESUS adds that we must all share in HIS victory over death: You must deny yourself: this is the fundamental orientation of our life.  We must choose between serving and being served, sacrificing ourselves for others or taking advantage of them.  Or, as a well-known prayer puts it: Let me seek not so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.)

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Return To ME With Your Whole Heart

 "YAHWEH says, 'Yet even now, return to ME with your whole heart; with fasting, weeping and mourning.  Rend your heart, not your garment.  Return to YAHWEH, your GOD--gracious and compassionate.'

YAHWEH is slow to anger, full of kindness, and HE repents of having punished.

Who knows?  Probably HE will relent once more, and spare some part of the harvest, from which we may bring sacred offerings to YAHWEH, your GOD.

Blow the trumpet in Zion, proclaim a sacred fast, call a solemn assembly.

Gather the people, sanctify the community, bring together the elders, even the children and infants at the breast.  Let the bridegroom leave his bed, and the bride her room.

Between the vestibule and the altar, let the priests, YAHWEH's ministers, weep and say: Spare your people, YAHWEH.  Do not humble them or make them an object of scorn among the nations.  Why should it be said among the people: Where is their GOD?

YAHWEH has become jealous for HIS land; HE has had pity on HIS people." - Joel 2:12-18 

(Return to ME with your whole heart: an invitation to penance.  In times of hardship, public fasts were proclaimed in Israel.  People would wear mourning clothes, or they would replace their clothes with sackcloth, or they would not comb their hair and cover their faces with ashes.  In the Gospel, JESUS will not say that these signs of physical penance, like fasting to express sorrow and to accompany prayer, are useless [see Matthew 4:1 and Mark 2:20], but will make it clear that these external signs of penance are not everything, nor are they what is most important.)

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Be Holy For I AM Holy

 "This was the salvation for which the prophets so eagerly looked when, in days past, they foretold the favor of GOD, with regard to you.  But they could only investigate when the Spirit of CHRIST present within them, pointed out the time and the circumstances, of this--the sufferings of CHRIST, and the glories which would follow.

It was revealed to them, that they were working, not for themselves, but for you.  Thus, in these days, after the Holy Spirit has been sent from heaven, the gospel's preachers have taught you these mysteries, which even the angels long to see.

So, then, let your spirit be ready.  Be alert, with confident trust, in the grace you will receive, when JESUS CHRIST appears.  Like obedient children, do not return to your former life, given over to ignorance and passions.  Imitate the one who called you.  As HE is holy, so you, too, be holy, in all your conduct, since Scripture says: Be holy for I AM holy." - 1 Peter 1:10-16 

(The logical consequences of baptism are developed.  We cannot go backward; giving in to the evils of the world would mean going back to the slavery from which CHRIST delivered us through HIS blood.

What follows is a call to live perfectly: not attached to the things of the present, but eager to live a useful and holy life before GOD, in proportion to what we have cost HIM.)

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