The Choosing Of Assistants

 "In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.  So the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together, and said, 'It is not right, that we should neglect the word of GOD to serve at tables.  So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men, full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task.  As for us, we shall give ourselves to prayer. and to the ministry of the word.'

The whole community agreed; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch, who was a proselyte.  They presented these men to the apostles, who, first prayed over them, and then, laid hands upon them.

The word of GOD continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; and even many priests accepted the faith." - Acts 6:1-7 

(JESUS did not spell out for HIS apostles how they were supposed to organize the Church.  And a conflict arose between two social groups.  The Jews, called Hebrews, had never left their land and they spoke Aramaic.  The Hellenists were those who had lived abroad and who usually spoke Greek.  They may have followed the Essene movement and refused to participate in temple rituals.  They felt uncomfortable with the liturgy and community life and their frustrations were growing.  In fact, the apostles identified more readily with the Hebrews and it became necessary to give some autonomy to the Hellenists with their own people being in charge.  This was probably the birth of a Greek-speaking church, with a Greek liturgy.

The community chose seven men.  Since their authority had to come from CHRIST, it had to be passed on by the apostles.

The candidate must be filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, because they are not only entrusted with material services.  And even if it were only for material services the Church would have much to suffer from competent administrators who lacked the Spirit of the Gospel.  Were these seven men the first deacons?  Luke mentions nothing beyond service, and "deacon" denotes servant, usually steward.  In fact, this term, "deacons," will from the start give the meaning of every ministry in the Church: ministry means "service" [1 Corinthians 12:15].  Ministers are at the service of the community assembled by the Spirit to witness to the salvation given by JESUS.  All through the centuries, the ministers of the Church would be tempted to misuse the role entrusted to them for the good of the community.  Many will take advantage of their "service" to put themselves over the community: they will let others serve and honor them and will not hesitate to be called princes of the Church.  What is true for those called to a high rank in the hierarchy is equally true for all those priests or lay people entrusted with lesser responsibilities: all must remember the words of JESUS [Luke 22:24-27].)

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"If Their Project Or Activity Is Of Human Origin, It Will Destroy Itself."

 "But one of them, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law highly respected by the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin.  He ordered the men to be taken outside for a few minutes and then he spoke to the assembly.

'Fellow Israelites, consider, well, what you intend to do to these men.  For some time ago, Theudas came forward, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him.  But he was killed and all his followers were dispersed or disappeared.  After him, Judas, the Galilean, appeared, at the time of the census and persuaded many people to follow him.  But he, too, perished; and his whole following was scattered.  So, in this present case, I advise you to have nothing to do with these men.  Leave them alone.  If their project or activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.  If, on the other hand, it is from GOD, you will not be able to destroy it; and you might indeed, find yourselves fighting against GOD.'

The Council let themselves be persuaded.  They called in the apostles and had them whipped; and ordered them not to speak again of JESUS, the Savior.  Then they set them free.

The apostles went out from the Council, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name.  Day after day, both in the temple and in people's homes, they continued to teach, and to proclaim, that JESUS was the Messiah." - Acts 5:34-42 

(Gamaliel was one of the most renowned among the masters of the law.  Here we see the open mind of this old Jewish teacher who knows that GOD's ways are not always the ways of humans.

If their project or activity is of human origin...  JESUS had said something similar [Matthew 15:13].  Yet that does not seem evident.  Are we not aware of many false doctrines that last?  If they have lasted for centuries, perhaps it is due to the fact that in spite of the error and the evil they sow, they contain useful or necessary principles for a given time, or for certain human groups.  Perhaps they make very important statements that the Church should proclaim but cannot or does not want to do.  Experience shows that the majority of humans are not ready to embrace the Christian faith: must GOD abandon them because of that?  Can we, who have CHRIST, say with certitude that such and such a one is not "the prophet."  Maybe GOD's will is that HE be the prophet of a certain group and help them in their searching for GOD [Acts 17:27].

Gamaliel was Paul's teacher in Jerusalem for doubtless three or four years, a little after these events [Acts 22:3].  Paul's conversion will be providentially prepared through contact with this open and sincere man, and equally so through the death of Stephen [7:54-60].)

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"He Who Will Not Believe In The SON Will Never Know Life, And Always Faces The Justice Of GOD."

 "'HE who comes from above is above all; he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth, and his words belong to the earth.  HE who comes from heaven speaks of the things HE has seen and heard; HE bears witness to these things, but no one accepts HIS testimony.  Whoever does receive HIS testimony acknowledges the truthfulness of GOD.

The one sent by GOD speaks GOD's words, and gives the Spirit unstintingly.  The FATHER loves the Son and has entrusted everything into HIS hands.  Whoever believes in the Son lives with eternal life;  but he who will not believe in the Son will never know life, and always faces the justice of GOD.'" - John 3:31-36 

(Always faces the justice of GOD.  Those who do not recognize the Son of GOD remain in the situation humanity was in when expelled from Paradise.  If they are not able to receive the witness of "GOD the Son who is one with the FATHER," they will never solve the contradictions in their lives or in the world in which they live; and they cannot but mistrust GOD.)

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GOD So Loved The World That HE Gave HIS Only SON That Whoever Believes In HIM May Not Be Lost, But May Have Eternal Life.

 "'Yes, GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only Son that whoever believes in HIM may not be lost, but may have eternal life.  GOD did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world; instead, through HIM the world is to be saved.  Whoever believes in HIM will not be condemned.  He who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of GOD.

This is how Judgment is made: Light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For whoever does wrong hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, for fear that his deeds will be seen as evil.  But whoever lives according to the truth comes into the light, so that it can be clearly seen that his works have been done in GOD.'" - John 3:16-21 

(The Jews had been praying for GOD to come and expected HIM to condemn the world and to punish the bad.  HE, on the other hand, sent HIS own Son to the cross so that the world will be saved.

Other verses of the New Testament say that we should not love the world; which seems to contradict what we have just read: GOD so loved the world.  The reason for this contradiction is that the word world has several meanings.

First, the world means all of creation, which is good since it is GOD's work.  The center of this divine work is humankind, which has come under the influence of Satan [8:34 and 44].  Everything that sinful humanity creates--riches, culture, social life--is influenced, disfigured and used for evil.  Hence, GOD sent HIS Son so that the world will  be saved.

Yet, even though CHRIST's resurrection initiated HIS invincible power over history, a strong current of evil continues, dragging along all who refuse to acknowledge the truth.  This evil current is sometimes called the world.  It would be more appropriate to say: the people who surrender themselves to the Master of the world.  The Scripture points to them in saying: Do not love the world, or You are not of the world [1 John 2:15; 4:6].)

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An Attempt To Share Everything

 "The whole community of believers was one in heart and mind.  No one claimed private ownership of any possessions; but rather, they shared all things in common.  With great power, the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the LORD JESUS, for all of them were living in an exceptional time of grace.

There was no needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale.  And they laid it at the feet of the apostles, who distributed it, according to each one's need.  This is what a certain Joseph did.  He was a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, meaning: 'The encouraging one.'  He sold a field which he owned and handed the money to the apostles." - Acts 4:32-37 

(Here we might understand that this sharing had become a rule in the early Church.  In fact, if  we pay attention to 4:36 and 5:4 it becomes clear that everyone admired what some of them did.

JESUS did not ask for this; yet they were doing it, inspired by the desire of every true believer to remove all divisions between brothers and sisters, especially those created by money.  Placing everything in common, however, requires not only a spirit of detachment, but also a sense of responsibility and organization.  The believers in Jerusalem lived at a time when work and foresight were not very important, and they soon consumed what they had, without being concerned about working, and eventually became the "poor of Jerusalem."  Paul was to organize collections in other churches in order to assist them [Galatians 2:10; Romans 15:25; 2 Corinthians 8].)

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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.'

So then, after speaking to them, the LORD JESUS was taken up into heaven and took HIS place at the right hand of GOD.  The Eleven went forth and preached everywhere, while the LORD worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it." - Mark 16:15-20 

(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 who have been renewed by baptism.  They are to be the yeast that transforms human history.)

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So, An Ever-Increasing Number Of Men And Women, Believed I n The LORD.

 "Many miraculous signs and wonders were done among the people, through the hands of the apostles.  The believers, of one accord, used to meet in Solomon's Porch.  None of the others dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem.  So, an ever-increasing number of men and women, believed in the LORD.  The people carried the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and on mat, so, that, when Peter passed by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.  The people gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those who were troubled by unclean spirits; and all of them were healed." - Acts 5:12-16 

(All the Jews believed in GOD who spoke through the prophets.  It was easy for them to believe in the prophets of the past after the religious authorities acknowledged them and placed their warnings in all the books of the Scriptures.  But it was quite a different thing to recognize JESUS as the prophet that GOD had sent them but whom they had rejected.  The text states that to believe in the LORD and join the community are two inseparable steps.  A person cannot belong to JESUS without belonging to the new people HE has brought to life through water and the Spirit.)

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What We Have Seen And Heard!

 "They were astonished at the boldness of Peter and John, considering that they were uneducated and untrained men.  They recognized, also, that they had been with JESUS, but, as the man who had been cured stood beside them, they could make no reply.

So they ordered them to leave the council room while they consulted with one another.  They asked, 'What shall we do with these men?  Everyone who lives in Jerusalem knows, that a remarkable sign has been given through them, and we cannot deny it.  But to stop this from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them never again to speak to anyone in the name of JESUS.'  So they called them back and charged them not to speak, or teach at all, in the name of JESUS.

But Peter and John answered them, 'Judge for yourselves, whether it is right in GOD's eyes, for us to obey you, rather than GOD.  We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.'  Then the council threatened them once more and let them go.  They could find no way of punishing them because of the people, who glorified GOD for what had happened;..." - Acts 4:13-21 

(This text suggests that all of us can be the witnesses of CHRIST and of the truth, if we are determined to be involved.  Oftentimes, because we only rely on our own strength instead of counting on the Spirit of CHRIST, we remain silent before our co-workers or our leaders.

What we have seen and heard.  It is John speaking: see 1 John 1:1.)

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'The Stone Rejected By The Builders Has Become The Cornerstone.'

 "Alleluia!

Give thanks to YAHWEH,

for HE is good,

HIS loving kindness endures forever.

Let Israel say,

'HIS loving kindness endures forever.'

Let those who fear YAHWEH say,

'HIS loving kindness endures forever.'

The stone rejected by the builders

has become the cornerstone.

This was YAHWEH's doing

and we marvel at it.

This is the day YAHWEH has made;

so let us rejoice and be glad.

Save us, O YAHWEH, deliver us, O YAHWEH!

Blessed is he who comes in YAHWEH's name!

We praise YOU from the house of YAHWEH.

YAHWEH is GOD; may HIS light shine upon us.

With branches, join in procession

up to the horns of the altar."

- Psalm 118:1-2. 4. 22-24. 25-27

('The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone'--so our LORD, rejected by HIS people and raised up by GOD; and so the Church, made up of those whom GOD has raised from death to life, in union with the Risen CHRIST.  The Church is the Temple of GOD, within which each of us sings our praise of GOD who has so loved us.)

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Man The Viceroy Of GOD

 "O YAHWEH, our YAHWEH,

what is man, that YOU be mindful of him;

the son of man, that YOU should care for him?

Yet YOU made him a little less than a god;

YOU crowned him with glory and honor

and gave him the works of YOUR hands;

YOU have put all things under his feet--

sheep and oxen without number,

and even the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air, the fish of the sea,

and all that swim the paths of the ocean."

- Psalm 8:2. 5. 6-7. 8-9

(This psalm is a lyrical reflection on the making and endowment of man: 'Let us make man in our own image... let him have dominion over the fish, the birds, the beasts [Genesis 1:26].  He is little less than a god because he has a share in GOD's dominion.  He is much greater than the stars because, child though he is before the Eternal GOD, he has a voice for praise.

Wherever there is a human being, he or she is tenderly cared for by GOD.  This psalm can be sung as a celebration of human dignity and divine greatness.)

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Peter And John Cure A Lame Man

 "Once when Peter and John were going up to the temple, at three in the afternoon, the hour for prayer, a man, crippled from birth, was being carried in.  Every day, they would bring him and put him at the temple gate called 'Beautiful;' there, he begged from those who entered the temple.

When he saw Peter and John on their way into the temple, he asked for alms.  Then Peter, with John at his side, looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us.'  So he looked at them, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, 'I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you: In the name of JESUS of Nazareth, the Messiah, walk!'

Then, he took the beggar by his right hand and helped him up.  At once, his feet and ankles became firm, and, jumping up, he stood on his feet and began to walk.  And he went with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising GOD.

All the people saw him walking and praising GOD; they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were all astonished and amazed at what had happened to him." - Acts 3:1-10 

(We might sometimes think that JESUS cured all the sick.  This is not true, since HE did not heal this cripple who was in the temple every day.  This new sign brings about another proclamation.)

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Repent!

 "'Let Israel, then, know for sure, that GOD has made LORD and CHRIST this JESUS, whom you crucified.'

When they heard this, they were deeply troubled.  And they asked Peter and the other apostles, 'What shall we do, brothers?'

Peter answered: 'Each of you must repent and be baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST, so that your sins may be forgiven.  Then, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise of GOD was made to you and your children, and to all those from afar, whom our GOD may call.'

With many other words Peter gave the message; and appealed to them, saying, 'Save yourselves from this crooked generation.'  So, those who accepted HIS word were baptized; some three thousand persons were added to their number that day." - Acts 2:36-41 

(Repent.  Peter uses these words of JESUS at the beginning of his speech [Matthew 4:17]--the Church is beginning to fall into the steps of JESUS--now it is no longer a question of receiving the baptism of John the Baptist, which was only a ritual of purification, highlighting the desire to repent.  We must receive baptism "in the Name of JESUS."

What shall we do?... Repent.  In those days, to repent and to be converted meant to share the life of the infant Church which showed to the nation the way of salvation taught by JESUS.  The Church did not appear as a new religion opposed to Judaism, but as a center of more authentic life.

Save yourselves from this crooked generation.  This means that the entire generation was missing the unique opportunity they were given.  For GOD asked them to take the most decisive step in Sacred History; even Roman oppression could be overcome by a people able to put the Gospel into practice.  At the same time JESUS made them discover the love of GOD the FATHER for which the entire Scripture prepared them.)

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GOD Raised HIM To Life

 "Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and, with a loud voice, addressed them, 'Fellow Jews and all foreigners now staying in Jerusalem, listen to what I have to say.

Fellow Israelites, listen to what I am going to tell you about JESUS of Nazareth.  GOD accredited HIM and through HIM did powerful deeds and wonders and signs in your midst, as you well know.  You delivered HIM to sinners to be crucified and killed, and, in this way, the purpose of GOD, from all times, was fulfilled.  But GOD raised HIM to life and released HIM from the pain of death; because it was impossible for HIM to be held in the power of death.  David spoke of HIM when he said: I saw the LORD before me at all times; HE is by my side, that I may not be shaken.  Therefore, my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced; my body, too, will live in hope.  Because YOU will not forsake me in the abode of the dead, nor allow YOUR Holy One to experience corruption.  YOU have made known to me the paths of life, and YOUR presence will fill me with joy.

Friends, I don't need to prove that the patriarch David died and was buried; his tomb is with us to this day.  But he knew, that GOD had sworn to him, that one of his descendants would sit upon HIS throne and, as he was a prophet, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah.  So he said, that HE would not be left in the region of the dead, nor would HIS body experience corruption.  

This Messiah is JESUS; and we are all witnesses that GOD raised HIM to life.  HE has been exalted at GOD's right side; and the FATHER has entrusted the Holy Spirit to HIM; this Spirit; HE has just poured upon us, as you now see and hear." - Acts 2:14. 22-33 

(This is the first proclamation of JESUS' resurrection.  Peter, once again, aware of his responsibility in the group of the Twelve, speaks on behalf of all.  He cites the texts of the Old Testament: Joel, the Psalms, etc. and demonstrates their fulfillment in JESUS and in the nascent Church.

GOD raised HIM to life.  Peter recalls how JESUS showed many signs of love during HIS public life: in spite of that, or more precisely, because of that, HE was delivered into the hands of pagans: how mysterious it is that people reject GOD's love.  More than 700 years before the coming of JESUS, the prophet Hosea was already familiar with this rejection of GOD's love [Hosea 11:1-4] and JESUS, HIMSELF, announces it in the parable of the murderous vineyard tenants [Matthew 21:33-39].  However, GOD, whose love is more powerful than our sins [Romans 5:20], raised HIM from the dead and made HIM the source of salvation for all.)

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Seek The Things That Are Above

 "So then, if you are risen with CHRIST, seek the things that are above, where CHRIST is seated at the right hand of GOD.  Set your mind on the things that are above, not on earthly things.  For you have died and your life is now hidden with CHRIST in GOD.  When CHRIST, who is your life, reveals HIMSELF, you also will be revealed with HIM in glory." - Colossians 3:1-4 

(Here we have what was said about baptism [2:12] which joins us to CHRIST and makes us share in all HIS wealth.  Since CHRIST left this earth, we leave it too: what is best in our lives, what motivates us to do things is neither visible, nor is it of the earth.  GOD alone knows the riches of the believer's heart, even when her life seems tarnished by various faults and weaknesses: one day GOD will manifest the goodness, the "glory" which we do not yet see [see Matthew 25:31-46].)

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Through Baptism We Died With CHRIST

 "Don't you know, that in baptism, which unites us to CHRIST, we are all baptized and plunged into HIS death?  By this baptism in HIS death, we were buried with CHRIST and, as CHRIST was raised from among the dead by the glory of the FATHER, we begin walking in a new life.  If we have been joined to HIM by dying a death like HIS, so shall we be, by a resurrection like HIS.

We know, that our old self was crucified with CHRIST, so as to destroy what of us was sin, so that, we may no longer serve sin--if we are dead, we are no longer in debt to sin.  But, if we  have died with CHRIST, once risen from the dead, will not die again, and death has no more dominion over HIM.  For, by dying, HE is dead to sin, once and for all, and, now, the life that HE lives, is life with GOD.

So you, too, must consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to GOD, in CHRIST JESUS." - Romans 6:3-11 

(We are all plunged into HIS death.  Baptism means entering into CHRIST to share the benefits of HIS sacrifice.  It also means the acceptance of a complete change of life, that of CHRIST in HIS death and resurrection.

It is evident that baptism, even when received with faith, does not make us perfect immediately.  Is it enough for us to give our whole attention to commandments?  What if the fear of temptation and daily faults paralyze us?  Beware of scruples and guilt complexes!  Paul proposes a different way: it is most important for us to believe that sin has no power over us.  Our eyes will be fixed on CHRIST knowing that we belong to HIM and that HE HIMSELF transform us.  Such an apparent carefree attitude serves us more effectively than nervousness.  It is the way Saint Therese of Lisieux suggested for those who feel incapable of great things.)

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"Into YOUR Hands I Commend MY Spirit."

 "In YOU, O YAHWEH, I take refuge, may I never be disgraced; deliver ME in YOUR justice.

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

I have become an object of reproach for MY foes, a horror for MY neighbors, a fear to MY friends.  Those who see ME in the streets flee from ME.

I AM like the dead, unremembered; I have become like a broken pot, thrown away, discarded.

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.

Be strong and take courage, all you who hope in YAHWEH."

- Psalm 31:2. 6. 12-13. 15-16. 17. 25

(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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"The One WHO IS, And WHO WAS, And WHO IS TO COME."

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

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

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

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

'I AM the Alpha and the Omega,' says the LORD GOD, 'the one WHO IS, and WHO WAS, and WHO IS TO COME: the Master of the Universe.'" - Revelation 1:5-8 

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

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

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

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

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

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YAHWEH Has Opened My Ear

 "The LORD YAHWEH has taught me

so I speak as HIS disciple

and I know how to sustain the weary.

Morning after morning HE wakes me up

to hear, to listen like a disciple.

The LORD YAHWEH has opened my ear.

I have not rebelled,

nor I have withdrawn.

I offered my back to those who strike me,

my cheeks to those who pulled my beard;

neither did I shield my face

from blows, spittle and disgrace.

I have not despaired,

for the LORD YAHWEH comes to my help.

So, like a flint I set my face,

knowing that I will not be disgraced.

He who avenges me is near.

Who then will accuse me?

Let us confront each other.

Who is now my accuser?

Let him approach.

If the LORD YAHWEH is my help,

who will condemn me?

All of them will wear out like cloth;

the moth will devour them."

- Isaiah 50:4-9

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

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

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

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YAHWEH Called Me From My Mother's Womb

 "Listen to me, O islands,

pay attention, people from distant lands.

YAHWEH called me from my mother's womb;

HE pronounced my name before I was born.

HE made my mouth like a sharpened sword.

HE hid me in the shadow of HIS hand.

HE made me into a polished arrow

set apart in HIS quiver.

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

Through you I will be known.'

'I have labored in vain,' I thought,

'and spent my strength for nothing.'

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

and my reward was with my GOD.

I am important in the sight of YAHWEH,

and my GOD is my strength.

And now YAHWEH has spoken, 

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

to bring Jacob back to HIM,

to gather Israel to HIM.

HE said: 'It is not enough

that you be MY servant,

to restore the tribes of Jacob,

to bring back the remnant of Israel.

I will make you the light of the nations,

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

- Isaiah 49:1-6

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

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

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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.

When the wicked rush at me

to devour my flesh,

it is my foes who stumble,

my enemies fall.

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart will not fail;

though war break out against me,

I will still be confident.

I hope, I am sure,

that I will see the goodness of YAHWEH

in the land of the living.

Trust in YAHWEH, be strong and courageous

yes, put your hope in YAHWEH!"

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

(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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HE Did Not Regard Equality With GOD

 "Though HE was in the form of GOD,

HE did not regard equality with GOD as something to be grasped,

but emptied HIMSELF,

taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness,

and, in HIS appearance, found, as a man,

HE humbled HIMSELF by being obedient, to death,

death on the cross.

That is why GOD exalted HIM 

and gave HIM the name which outshines all names,

so, that, at the name of JESUS all knees should bend

in heaven, on earth and among the dead,

and all tongues proclaim, that CHRIST JESUS is the LORD,

to the glory of GOD the FATHER.

- Philippians 2:6-11

(HE did not regard equality with GOD: the mystery of GOD's Son who became a mortal man and gave up GOD's glory, although HE could have preserved it even in HIS human life.  Since CHRIST was to be the New Man, glorified by GOD and placed above everything, HIS being subject to misery and limitations was a way of being reduced to nothingness.

GOD exalted HIM.  The humiliation and obedience of CHRIST were the condition for receiving HIS glory.  HE gave HIM the name [of GOD], that is, HE made HIM fully enjoy in HIS human nature the divine Power [or name].)

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The Plot To Kill JESUS

 "Many of the Jews who had come with Mary believed in JESUS when they saw what HE did; but some went to the Pharisees and told them what JESUS had done.  So the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Council.

They said, 'What are we to do?  For this man keeps on performing many miraculous signs.  If we let HIM go on like this, all the people will believe in HIM and, as a result of this, the Romans will come and destroy our Holy Place and our nation.'

Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year, spoke up, 'You know nothing at all!  It is better to have one man die for the people than to let the whole nation be destroyed.'

In saying this Caiaphas did not speak for himself, but being High Priest that year, he foretold like a prophet that JESUS would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also would die in order to gather into one the scattered children of GOD.  So, from that day on, they were determined to kill HIM.

Because of this, JESUS no longer moved about freely among the Jews.  HE withdrew instead to the country near the wilderness, and stayed with HIS disciples in a town called Ephraim.

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and people from everywhere were coming to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover.  They looked for JESUS and, as they stood in the temple, they talked with one another, 'What do you think?  Will HE come to the festival?'" - John 11:45-56 

(Caiaphas words were fulfilled but not in the sense he intended.  JESUS going to die to gather into one the scattered children of GOD.

The worldwide effect of CHRIST's resurrection is to unite all of humanity in renewed creation--as JESUS HIMSELF put it, "when I'M lifted up from earth I shall draw all to MYSELF" [John 12:32].  That is to say, the cross and resurrection are the source of communion and fraternity.

The Church reunites believers of all races and cultures: we call it "Catholic," that is, universal.  This Church, however, is but a beginning and a sign of that which will be attained at the end of time, when the whole of humanity will be reunited in CHRIST [Revelation 7].)

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JESUS Claims To Be The Son of GOD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Abram Becomes Abraham

 "Abram fell face down and GOD said to him, 'This is MY Covenant with you: you will be the father of a multitude of nations.  No longer will you be called Abram, but Abraham, because I will make you the father of a multitude of nations.  I will make you more and more famous; I will multiply your descendants; nations shall spring from you, kings shall be among your descendants.  And I will establish a covenant, an everlasting Covenant between MYSELF and you and your descendants after you; from now on I will be your GOD and the GOD of your descendants after you, for generations to come.  I will give to you and your descendants after you the land you are living in, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession and I will be the GOD of your race.'

GOD said to Abraham, 'For your part, you shall keep MY covenant, you and your descendants after you, generation after generation.'" - Genesis 17:3-9 

(Abram means venerated father, and Abraham: father of a multitude.  In changing the name of HIS servant, GOD enables him to begin a new life and to really become what his new name expresses.  JESUS will proceed in the same way with the first leader of HIS church [John 1:42].)

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The Children Of Truth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Prayer For Renewal

 "O YAHWEH, hear my prayer; let my cry for help come to YOU.

Do not hide YOUR face from me when I am in trouble.  Turn YOUR ear to me; make haste to answer me when I call.

O YAHWEH, the nations will revere YOUR name, and the kings of the earth YOUR glory,

when YAHWEH will rebuild Zion and appear in all HIS splendor.

For HE will answer the prayer of the needy and will not despise their plea.

Let this be written for future ages, 'YAHWEH will be praised by a people HE will form.'

From HIS holy height in heaven, YAHWEH has looked on the earth to hear the groaning of the prisoners, and free those condemned to death."

- Psalm 102:2-3. 16-18. 19-21

(In the face of social chaos and a premature death, we can pray with this psalm, ratifying our hope: 'YOUR servants' children will dwell secure.')

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I AM The Light Of The World

 "JESUS spoke to them again, 'I AM the Light of the world; the one who follows ME will not walk in darkness, but will have light and life.'  The Pharisees replied, 'Now YOU are speaking on YOUR own behalf, YOUR testimony is worthless.'

Then JESUS said, 'Even though I bear witness to MYSELF, MY testimony is true, for I know where I have come from and where I AM going.  But you do not know where I came from or where I AM going.

You judge by human standards; as for ME, I don't judge anyone.  But if I had to judge, MY judgment would be valid for I AM not alone: the FATHER who sent ME is with ME.  In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid; so I AM bearing witness to MYSELF, and the FATHER who sent ME bears witness to ME.'

They asked HIM, 'Where is YOUR FATHER?'  JESUS answered, 'You don't know ME or MY FATHER; if you knew ME, you would know MY FATHER as well.'

JESUS said these things when HE was teaching in the temple area, in the place where they received the offerings.  No one arrested HIM, because HIS hour had not yet come." - John 8:12-20 

(JESUS is the light for all people of all times.  GOD guided the Hebrews in the desert by means of a luminous cloud.  HE guides us through HIS Son; whoever follows JESUS will not walk in darkness.

Light means many good things: the welcome light of dawn after a night of darkness; the electric lights which illumine our homes while darkness reigns outside; the street lights which shine for everyone, poor and rich alike; the light that triumphs over the dark forces of evil and ignorance.  CHRIST is all that and more for whoever follows HIM.  HE is the light by which we live with wholeness and integrity, and through whom we learn to attribute to material things and human activities their proper value.

By the light of CHRIST a person triumphs over all inner darkness.  We are conscious of only a small part of our inner self; we often obey impulses not under our control that come from our nature.  Good intentions animate us , and we have a clean heart [so we think], but we do not realize that actually we often obey the call "of flesh and blood," as Scripture puts it.  If we live in the light, the light will gradually illumine our innermost being. 

Part of the human condition aggravated by sin is the absence of light for seeking and discerning what is good.  Therefore, in serious matters, it is not wise to simply follow our first impulse.  We need to be continuously enlightened through prayer, listening to the word of GOD, studying the teaching of the Church, and accepting the good advice of our brothers and sisters.  By these means JESUS enlightens our conscience.)

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Forgetting What Is Behind Me

 "Still more, everything seems to me, as nothing, compared with the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS, my LORD.  For HIS sake, I have let everything fall away, and I now consider all as garbage, if, instead, I may gain CHRIST.  May I be found in HIM, not having a righteousness of my own, that comes from the law, but with the righteousness that GOD gives, to those who believe.

May I know HIM, and experience the power of HIS resurrection, and share in HIS sufferings, and become like HIM, in HIS death, and attain, through this, GOD willing, the resurrection from the dead!

I do not believe I have already reached the goal, nor do I consider myself perfect, but I press on till I conquer CHRIST JESUS, as I have already been conquered by HIM.  No, brothers and sisters, I do not claim to have claimed the prize yet.  I say only this: forgetting what is behind me, I race forward, and run toward the goal, my eyes on the prize, to which GOD has called us from above, in CHRIST JESUS." - Philippians 3:8-14 

(When JESUS forcefully entered into Paul's life, it was a matter of losing all and Paul from then on accepted to regard as garbage all that he had been proud of.

Forgetting what is behind me.  Paul only wanted to "forget."  Forget his merits and his gains [in the judgment of others] so as to receive more fully the free grace of GOD; forget what he already knew of GOD and be available for new experiences.

The greatest thing for Christians is not to perform miracles, or to speak in tongues, but to know CHRIST and meet HIM as a living person.  May I know HIM and experience the power of HIS resurrection.  All of us would like to feel the presence of GOD and to see HIM in some way, but the way to experience HIS power that transfigures us is by sharing in CHRIST's sufferings [2 Corinthians 1:3-5].)

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Out Of The Believer's Heart Shall Flow Rivers Of Living Water

 "On the last and greatest day of the festival, JESUS stood up and proclaimed, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to ME; and let the one who believes in ME drink, for the Scripture says: Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'

JESUS was referring to the Spirit, which those who believe in HIM were to receive; the Spirit had not yet been given, because JESUS had not yet entered into HIS glory." - John 7:37-39 

(Spirit had not yet been given.  In Wisdom 1:7, however, we read, "the Spirit of GOD fills the universe."  Actually GOD never ceased communicating HIMSELF.  HIS Spirit enters into a person's spirit whom HE awakens, animates and impels.  At all times HE has been active in the artists, thinkers and heroes, and is also present in the spirit of people of upright heart.

The Spirit is not poured out like water.  The Spirit of GOD becomes one with the spirit of the one who receives HIM.  As long as we do not know GOD in truth, the Spirit comes "over" us, as occurred with the liberators of Israel, who did not necessarily become better for having been an instrument of GOD [Judges 11:29].  Only after JESUS had entered into HIS glory could HE give HIS Spirit to those who would be united with HIM.)

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Seek Life; Know GOD

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

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

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

Wisdom is a spirit, a friend to man, and will not leave the blasphemous unpunished, because GOD knows his innermost feelings, truly sees his thoughts and hears what he says." - Wisdom 1:1-6 

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

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

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