The Hound Of Heaven

 "O YAHWEH, YOU know me:

YOU have scrutinized me.

YOU know when I sit and when I rise;

beforehand, YOU discern my thoughts.

YOU observe my activities and times of rest;

YOU are familiar with all my ways.

Where else could I go from YOUR Spirit?

Where could I flee from YOUR presence?

YOU are there, if I ascend the heavens;

YOU are there, if I descend to the depths.

If I ride on the wings of the dawn,

and settle on the far side of the sea,

even there, YOUR hand shall guide me,

and YOUR right hand shall hold me safely.

It was YOU who formed my inmost part

and knit me together in my mother's womb.

I thank YOU for these wonders YOU have done,

and my heart praises YOU, for YOUR marvelous deeds.

- Psalm 139:1-3. 7-8. 9-10. 13-14

(This wisdom meditation about the knowledge and the presence of GOD, perhaps, had its beginning in the face of the pressure of evildoers; someone has been unjustly accused, perhaps as idolatrous, and he appeals to GOD.  In this environment, he composes his poem.

The ways of GOD are unsearchable, HIS wisdom is an abyss [cf. Romans 11:33].  GOD gets close to us and embraces us, not to condemn us, but to guide our feet toward HIS love.  If we want to taste divine love and appreciate the dignity of man, it will do us good, to pray with this magnificent psalm.)

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War Broke Out In Heaven

 "War broke out in heaven, with Michael and his angels battling with the dragon.  The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated, and lost their place in heaven.  The great dragon, the ancient serpent, known as the devil, or Satan, seducer of the whole world, was thrown out.  He was hurled down to earth, together with his angels.

Then, I heard a loud voice from heaven:

Now has salvation come,

with the power and the kingdom of our GOD

and the rule of HIS anointed.

For our brothers' accuser has been cast out,

who accused them night and day, before GOD.

They conquered him, by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony,

for they gave up their lives, going to death.

Rejoice, therefore, O you heavens,

and you who dwell in them;

but woe to you, earth and sea,

for the devil has come to you, in anger,

knowing that he has but a little time."

- Revelation 12:7-12

(GOD's plan for the world has just been revealed: the Son of GOD must become a human and rise as the Savior of all people.  This mystery causes a double crisis: in the world of spirits [or angels] and in humankind.

The Jews imagined the angels were a huge army and they called their head Michael.  Similarly, the devil is presented as the head of the army of rebellious angels, the stars fallen from heaven.

The following chapters will reveal the devil at work in history.  He uses disguises and many substitutes.  However, those who are ready to suffer for the truth will recognize him: they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by their courage in proclaiming HIM.)

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Breakthroughs--Becoming Free

 "As they went on their way, a man said to HIM, 'I will follow YOU wherever YOU go.'  JESUS said to him, 'Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay HIS head.'

To another, JESUS said, 'Follow ME!'  But he answered, 'Let me go back now, for, first, I want to bury my father.'  And JESUS said to him, 'Let the dead bury their dead; as for you, leave them, and proclaim the kingdom of GOD.'

Another said to HIM, 'I will follow YOU, LORD, but first let me say goodbye to my family.'  And JESUS said to him, 'Whoever has put his hand to the plow, and looks back, is not fit for the kingdom of GOD.'" - Luke 9:57-62 

(In contrast with JESUS customary understanding attitude about human nature, here we see JESUS very demanding with the disciple who wants to follow HIM: JESUS cannot waste HIS time in forming those who are not ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of the Gospel.

The third of these would-be disciples, perhaps, was secretly hoping that at the time of saying goodbye, his family would beg him not to do such a foolish thing, and so he could remain with his good intentions: I would like to, but...

The second case is different: Let the dead bury their dead.  Faced with these abrupt words that we occasionally meet in the Gospel, there are two attitudes to be avoided.  The first would be to take these words as a general rule, a precept addressed to everyone without nuance, the second, more frequent, would be to say: "That must not be taken literally, it's an oriental way of speaking."  One of the effects of the establishment of the reign of GOD is justice, solidarity, and fraternity; there will be people to take care of those parents.  One does not follow JESUS in order to "obtain" freedom; JESUS must be followed in freedom.

First, I want to bury my father.  This means perhaps that he should bury his father who has died.  Most probably it means that he wanted to look after his aging father up to the time of his burial [Tobit 6:15].  It is difficult to think one is truly free if he had not had the opportunity to prove it by acting differently from what is understood and accepted around him.  Think of Francis of Assisi begging for bread in his own town after having lived there as the son of a rich family.

Leave them and proclaim the kingdom of GOD.  When a call from JESUS reaches you, it is the complete will of GOD for you in this precise moment.  Leave there your excuses, your duties: perhaps these would be duties only in a world of the dead.  GOD has provided that others, perhaps HIS angels, will see to them.)

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Why Is Light Given To The Miserable... Whose Path Has Vanished?

 "Why is light given to the miserable,

and life to the embittered?

To those who long for death

more than for hidden treasure?

They rejoice at the sight of their end,

they are happy upon reaching the grave.

Why give light to a man whose path has vanished,

whose ways GOD blocks at every side?

- Job 3:20-23

Job tries to understand the adversity afflicting him.

(Why are children born crippled or blind, or destined for an atrocious death?  We would be wrong to only think of the marginalized or those crushed by misfortune.  It's in the world where nothing is wanting where people are not desperate, but without hope in the midst of gadgets: it is there where young couples opt for death in not wanting to have children.

In past centuries people were driven by the uncontainable energy of life.  They lived and made sacrifices for the survival of their people.  Our parents worked and procreated without asking themselves why.  When people reach maturity in critical thinking, they need an answer to this question: Why live if, in the end, life leads nowhere?)

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Who Is The Greatest

 "One day, the disciples were arguing which of them was the most important.  But JESUS knew their thoughts, so HE took a little child and stood him by HIS side.  The HE said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in MY name, welcomes ME; and whoever welcomes ME, welcomes the one who sent ME.  And listen: the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest.'

Then John spoke up, 'Master we saw someone who drives out demons by calling upon YOUR name, and we tried to forbid him, because he doesn't follow YOU with us.'  But JESUS said, 'Don't forbid him.  He who is not against you is for you." - Luke 9:46-50 

(Mark remarks that JESUS took a child in HIS arms: something unusual for people of that time since children did not count, and religious teachers only urged that they be well discipline.  The model of religion seemed to b e a serious man who did not laugh, did not run, did not look at people in lower positions, especially women and children.  Oftentimes, such a mentality is seen in those who criticize child baptism and first communion.

JESUS does not answer the apostles question: "Who is the greatest?  Because what matters is not to become great, but to be close to CHRIST.

In order to receive CHRIST, we must welcome HIM in the person of the little ones.)

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The Authentic Profession Of Faith

 "But you, man of GOD, shun all this.  Strive to be holy and godly.  Live in faith and love, with endurance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith and win everlasting life, to which you were called, when you made the good profession of faith, in the presence of so many witnesses.

Now, in the presence of GOD, who gives life to all things, and of JESUS CHRIST, who expressed before Pontius Pilate the authentic profession of faith: preserve the revealed message to all.  Keep yourself pure and blameless, until the glorious coming of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, who GOD will bring about at the proper time; HE, the magnificent sovereign, King of kings and LORD of lords.  To HIM, alone, immortal, who live in unapproachable light, and whom no one has ever seen or can see, to HIM, be honor and power, for ever and ever.  Amen!" - 1 Timothy 6:11-16 

(The pastors of the Church should be the most aware of the danger.  Salvation for them will be to place themselves in the less secure areas of life and society, where an act of faith is constantly necessary to overcome difficulties and joyously accept sacrifices.  It is not in seeking first of all our personal fulfillment that we become GOD's agent and a witness of CHRIST, as HE HIMSELF has been the witness of the FATHER.

Paul calls upon Timothy to avoid all those dangers and remain true to faith and free from greed.  By doing so, he will be "a man of GOD," a witness of CHRIST.)

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"The Son Of Man Will Be Betrayed Into The Hands Of Men."

 "And all who saw it were astonished at GOD's wonderful work.

But while all were amazed at everything JESUS did, HE said to HIS disciples, 'Listen, and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men.'  But the disciples didn't understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what HE meant, and they were afraid to ask HIM about it." - Luke 9:43-45 

(Time is running out for JESUS.  HE now dedicates HIMSELF chiefly to preparing the group of apostles who will have the tremendous responsibility of continuing HIS work.  They did not understand about HIS death and resurrection: these things cannot be understood until they have happened.  They prefer not to question or know; leaving JESUS very isolated.)

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What Do People Say About ME?

 "One day, when JESUS was praying alone, not far from HIS disciples, HE asked them, 'What do people say about ME?'  And they answered, 'Some say, that YOU are John the Baptist; others say, that YOU are Elija; and still others, that YOU are one of the prophets of old, risen from the dead.'  Again, JESUS asked them, 'But who do you say that I AM?'  Peter answered, 'The Messiah of GOD.'  Then JESUS spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone." - Luke 9:18-21 

(What do people say about ME?  And you, what did you tell them about ME when you were among them?  Who did you tell them I WAS?  Peter answers first, confident that they were not wrong in presenting their teacher as the Messiah, the One sent by GOD.

JESUS does not deny that HE is, but HE forbids them to make it known from then on, because, according to the people, the Liberator had to crush HIS enemies.  Can the apostles simply call Liberator, one who will die on a cross?

By comparing this text with Mark 8:27 and Matthew 16:13, we come to the following conclusion: Matthew combined in a single story two different events in which Peter was first in proclaiming his faith.  The first episode is the one that Luke relates at this point.

In the second, Peter recognized JESUS as the Son of GOD and received the promise that Matthew recalls.  Perhaps this took place after the multiplication of the loaves: compare with John 6:66-69, or perhaps after the Resurrection: compare with John 21:15-17, which insists not on faith, but on the love that JESUS can see in Peter.  See also Galatians 2:7-8.)

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Pondering The Brevity Of Life

 "YOU turn humans back to dust, saying, 'Return, O mortals!'

A thousand years in YOUR sight are like a day that has passed, or like a watch in the night.

YOU sow them in their time, at dawn they peep out.  In the morning they blossom, but the flower fades and withers in the evening.

So, make us know the shortness of our life, that we may gain wisdom of heart.

How long will YOU be angry, O YAHWEH?  Have mercy on YOUR servant.

Fill us at daybreak with YOUR goodness, that we may be glad all our days.

May the sweetness of YAHWEH be upon us; may HE prosper the work of our hands."

- Psalm 90:3-6. 12-13. 14. 17

(What is the meaning of our life?  What are our values?  We cannot elaborate a 'tomorrow' for ourselves, without counting on GOD.  This psalm can help us.

Our days pass like a sigh.  Our earthly life is short and frail before the face of the eternal GOD.  HE is our refuge and can give meaning to our existence.  Let us ask HIM to fill it with wisdom, which is to love HIM, praise HIM and serve HIM.)

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We Shall Become The Perfect Creation

 "Therefore, I, the prisoner of CHRIST, invite you, to live the vocation you have received.  Be humble, kind, patient, and bear with one another in love.

Make every effort to keep, among you, the unity of spirit, through bonds of peace.  Let there be one body, and one Spirit, just as one hope is the goal of your calling by GOD.  One LORD, one faith, one baptism; one GOD, the FATHER of all, who is above all, and works through all, and is in all.

But to each of us, divine grace is given, according to the measure of CHRIST's gift.

As for HIS gifts, to some, HE gave to be apostles; to others, prophets, or even evangelists; or pastors and teachers.  So, HE prepared those who belong to HIM, for the ministry, in order to build up the Boldy of CHRIST, until we are all united, in the same faith and knowledge of the Son of GOD.  Thus, we shall become the perfect Man, upon reaching maturity, and sharing the fulness of CHRIST." - Ephesians 4:1-7. 11-13 

(Here, Paul returns to an important problem in communities where the style was still very free, we might say very charismatic, since the community counted on the unpredictable action of the Spirit through the charisms of different members.  It is necessary that all in their own vocation work for the building up of the one body.  Paul enthusiastically names all that we have in common through CHRIST and the action of the Spirit.  It is not merely a temple that is constructed [see Chapter 2:19-22]; it is the Body of CHRIST, of the Perfect Man, the mature one, in which CHRIST expresses HIS fulness.

JESUS of Nazareth lived humbly until HIS death only once, but having been made the Head of humanity through HIS resurrection, HE suffers everywhere; HE works in every field of human activity; gives HIS life in every possible way; HE gathers in HIMSELF every form of love, and lives the whole diversity of human existence in the person of HIS members.) 

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JESUS' Mother And Brothers

 "Then HIS mother and HIS relatives came to HIM; but they could not get to HIM because of the crowd.  Someone told HIM, 'YOUR mother and YOUR brothers are standing outside and wish to meet YOU.'  Then JESUS answered, 'MY mother and MY brothers are those who hear the word of GOD and do it.'" - Luke 8:19-21 

(JESUS lost HIS relatives but found HIS true brothers and sisters.  When we commit ourselves to GOD's work, we discover new brothers and sisters and a mother, Mary, of whom the Gospel says, "Happy are you for having believed that GOD's promises would be fulfilled."  JESUS does not say, "HE is MY FATHER," for the FATHER is one and HE is in Heaven.)

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Attitudes Leading To Wisdom

 "Trust in YAHWEH with all your heart; do not rely on your own insight.  Let HIS presence pervade all your ways and HE will protect your foot from the snare.

Do not consider yourself wise, fear GOD, and turn away from evil.  This will be a medicine to your body and a relief to your bones.

Honor YAHWEH, giving HIM from what you have, the first fruits of all your produce.  Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, your vats will brim over with wine.

My son, do not scorn the discipline of YAHWEH; do not ignore HIS correction.  For YAHWEH corrects those HE loves, as a father does his beloved son." - Proverbs 3:5-12 

(The text deals with the attitudes leading to wisdom: humility, being willing to sacrifice what GOD wants, not becoming discouraged when the LORD corrects us, that is to say, when we are tested [see Hebrews 12:5 and Revelation 3:19].

The proverbs insist on the value of advice, discipline, correction: to live as one pleases, according to one's fantasies causes all sorts of misfortune: this is a saying of Proverbs.)

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We Are Not Owners But Administrators Of Our Wealth And We Must Administer It For The Good Of All

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

No servant can serve two masters.  Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt.  You cannot give yourself both to GOD and to Money.'" - Luke 16:10-13 

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

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

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Unshakable Confidence In GOD

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

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

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

For YOU have rescued my soul from death and my feet from stumbling; that I might walk in GOD's presence, in the light of the living."

- Psalm 56:10-14

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

This is a prayer of the millions of oppressed who live, and no doubt will die crushed.  'YOU, LORD, have gathered our tears!'  We can only know what GOD thinks of human suffering from HIS Son, GOD's Word to us.  When JESUS saw Martha weeping, HE started to cry HIMSELF [John 11:33-34].  But in the end, GOD 'will wipe all the tears away' and there will be no more crying [Revelation 21:4].)

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How Can Some Of You Say That There Is No Resurrection Of The Dead?

 "Well, then, if CHRIST is preached as risen from the dead, how can some of you say, that there is no resurrection of the dead?  If there is no resurrection of the dead, then CHRIST has not been raised.  And if CHRIST has not been raised, our preaching is empty, and our belief comes to nothing.  And we become false witnesses of GOD, attesting that HE raised CHRIST, whereas HE could not raise HIM, if indeed, the dead are not raised.  If the dead are not raised, neither has CHRIST been raised.  And if CHRIST has not been raised, your faith gives you nothing, and you are still in sin.  Also, those who fall asleep, in CHRIST, are lost.  If it is only for this life, that we hope in CHRIST, we are the most unfortunate of all people.

But no, CHRIST has been raised from the dead, and HE comes before all those who have fallen asleep. - 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 

(Paul begins with the Resurrection of JESUS as a fact: and from that he then draws consequences: our own resurrection.

We hear it said at times, even among believers that the Resurrection of JESUS is not an historical fact.  This is true in the sense that Resurrection escapes the historical dimension.  We know and we believe it because there are witnesses, and in no other way does history proceed.  Nevertheless, there is a vast difference: history deals with testimonies on which we have some ideas: a war, a meeting between two people, an invention.  On the contrary, for the Resurrection of JESUS, the witnesses can only speak of apparitions of JESUS or meetings with HIM.  This experience led them to believe something much greater: JESUS had begun a life about which we have no idea, even sharing the power of GOD!  We, then, in this very special case, shall believe not only what they saw but also what they believe, and that is in no way comparable with historical processes.  But all the same, JESUS' Resurrection and coming in glory is a fact.

Whoever shares the faith of the apostles has accepted Resurrection as a fact.  Paul immediately goes to the consequences for us: shall we also enter another life?)

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CHRIST Offered HIS Sacrifice With Tears And Cries

 "CHRIST, in the days of HIS mortal life, offered HIS sacrifice with tears and cries.  HE prayed to HIM, who could save HIM from death, and HE was heard, because of HIS humble submission.  Although HE was Son, HE learned, through suffering, what obedience was, and, once made perfect, HE became the source of eternal salvation, for those who obey HIM." - Hebrews 5:7-9 

(HE offered HIS sacrifice with tears and cries.  In Scripture, these words are used to express the insistent prayer of the oppressed children of GOD: they cry to GOD in such a loud voice that HE listens to them.  Thus, the night before HIS death, JESUS identified with men and women who suffer and do not want to die.)

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Imitate The Humility Of JESUS

 "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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"You Will Suffer Because Of Your Children."

 "A little later, JESUS went to a town called Naim.  HE was accompanied by HIS disciples and a great number of people.  As HE reached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out.  He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; there followed a large crowd of townspeople.

On seeing her, the LORD had pity on her and said, 'Don't cry.'  Then HE came up and touched the stretcher, and the men who carried it stopped.  JESUS then said, 'Young man, I say to you, wake up!'  And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and JESUS gave him to his mother.  A holy fear came over them all, and they praised GOD saying, 'A great prophet has appeared among us.  GOD has visited HIS people.'  This news spread throughout Judea and the surrounding places." - Luke 7:11-17 

(No one has ever attributed power over death to any person.  Only JESUS conquers death, and HE does so very simply.

JESUS only knew this young man through his mother, and it is for her that HE has restored him to life.  To be a widow without children is the height of distress [see Ruth], and it will be the lot of Mary.

The woman represents suffering humanity.  "You will suffer because of your children": this was said after the first sin.  Humanity cannot avoid accompanying the dead after depriving them of their reasons for living.  Humanity buries their young with tears, while continuing to kill them.)

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The Power Of GOD

 "When JESUS had finished teaching the people, HE went to Capernaum.

A Roman military officer lived there, whose servant was very sick and near to death, a man very dear to him.  So, when he heard about JESUS, he sent some elders of the Jews to persuade HIM to come and save his servant's life.  The elders came to JESUS and begged HIM earnestly, saying, 'He deserves this of YOU, for he loves our people and even built a synagogue for us.'

JESUS went with them.  HE was not far from the house, when the Roman officer sent friends to give this message, 'SIR, do not trouble YOURSELF, for I am not worthy to welcome YOU under my roof.  YOU see, I didn't approach YOU myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers, and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to the other, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this!' and he does it.'

On hearing these words, JESUS was filled with admiration.  HE turned and said to the people with HIM, 'I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.'  The people, sent by the captain, went back to his house; there they found that the servant was well." - Luke 7:1-10 

(This captain of a foreign army earned the esteem of the Jews.  The amazing thing was not that he should have contributed to the building of the synagogue, but rather that the Jews should have accepted it from him.  He must have been a good man.  He knew the Jews' prejudices too well to have dared to personally approach this JESUS of whom they spoke.  Indeed, up to what point did JESUS share HIS compatriots' pride?  Would HE respond to the petition of a Roman official?  That was why he sent his Jewish friends to JESUS.

The man is really troubled: will JESUS consent to go to a pagan's house and "become impure"? [John 18:28].  The captain goes one step further: JESUS does not have to come to his house.  While other sick people seek to be touched by the Master thinking that JESUS possesses some healing power, this man, has instead grasped that JESUS has the very power of GOD and does not need to go to the sick servant: it would not be any more difficult to give a command from a distance to a life that was slipping away.)

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CHRIST JESUS Came Into The World To Save Sinners

 "I give thanks to CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, who is my strength, who has considered me trustworthy, and appointed me to HIS service, although I had been a blasphemer, a persecutor and a fanatical enemy.  However, HE took mercy on me, because I did not know what I was doing when I opposed the faith; and the grace of our LORD was more than abundant, together with faith and love that are in CHRIST JESUS.

This saying is true and worthy of belief: CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.  Because of that, I was forgiven; CHRIST JESUS wanted to display HIS utmost patience, so that I might be an example for all who are to believe and obtain eternal life.  To the King of ages, the only GOD, who lives beyond every perishable and visible creation--to HIM, be honor and glory forever.  Amen!" - 1 Timothy 1:12-17 

(CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners.  The new masters remain with their theories instead of facing the reality of sin.  It is the reality of our sin that makes the grace of GOD a grace, and our salvation a true salvation.)

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No Healthy Tree Bears Bad Fruit; No Poor Tree Bears Good Fruit

 "'No healthy tree bears bad fruit; no poor tree bears good fruit.  And each tree is known by the fruit it bears: you don't gather figs from the thorns, or grapes from brambles.  Similarly, the good person draws good things from the good stored in his heart, and an evil person draws evil things from the evil stored in his heart.  For the mouth speaks from the fulness of the heart.

Why do you call ME, 'LORD!  LORD!' and do not do what I say?  I will show you what the one is like, who comes to ME, and listens to MY words, and acts accordingly.  That person is like the builder who dug deep and laid the foundations of his house on rock.  The river overflowed, and the stream dashed against the house, but could not carry it off because the house had been well built.

But the one who listens and does not act, is like a man who built his house on the ground without a foundation.  The flood burst against it, and the house fell at once: and what a terrible disaster that was!'" - Luke 6:43-49 

(No healthy tree...  These sayings were already mentioned in Matthew 7:15.  Here, however, Luke gives them a different meaning by referring to a pure conscience.  We must purify our mind and our spirit to become the tree that produces good fruits.)

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Faith Demands Sacrifice

 "Have you not learned anything from the stadium?  Many run, but only one gets the prize.  Run, therefore, intending to win it, as athletes, who impose upon themselves a rigorous discipline.  Yet, for them the wreath is of laurels which wither, while for us, it does not wither.

So, then, I run, knowing where I go.  I box, but not aimlessly in the air.  I punish my body and control it, lest, after preaching to others, I myself should be rejected." - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 

(Paul is now ready to tell the Corinthians that they may not share the cult of idols.  To justify his position [for the Corinthians it was very strict], Paul presents two arguments:

- no racing contest is won without self-sacrifice.

- Scripture has many examples of how GOD punished those who practiced a cult of idols.

As athletes who impose upon themselves a rigorous discipline.  Like them, we must renounce many things that are not evil.  We need discipline to be really free, whether in the use of alcohol or tobacco, or not idly waste time in front of the television or reading magazines.  While the world lures us to be spectators and consumers, we must be agents of salvation, the salt of the earth.  The second paragraph recalls the example of Israel [see Exodus 32 and Numbers 21].)

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JESUS Born Of A Virgin Mother

 "This is how JESUS CHRIST was born: Mary HIS mother had been given to Joseph in marriage, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy.  He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to disgrace her.

While he was pondering over this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.  She has conceived by the Holy Spirit, and now she will bear a son.  You shall call HIM 'JESUS' for HE will save HIS people from their sins.'

All this happened in order to fulfill what the LORD had said through the prophet: The virgin will conceive and bear a son. and HE will be called Emmanuel, which means: GOD-with-us." - Matthew 1:18-23 

(JESUS is not the son of Joseph.  The beginning of the paragraph intends to remind us that JESUS is both a legitimate son of David through Joseph and the Son of GOD conceived through the Holy Spirit by a virgin-mother.

These short and almost bashful sentences do not dare to unveil the mystery of Mary, the virgin through whom life on earth touches GOD and offers itself as an oblation.  A messenger breaks through the night and speaks with silent words: the world is open to the active presence of GOD.

The virginity of Mary was not in keeping with the Jewish mentality that gave first place to fecundity.  It was not so unusual that Joseph would accept such a situation.  At his time certain Jews belonging to the party of the Essenes lived celibacy, as did the monks.

The intervention of the angel in the Gospel is not to reassure Joseph but to inform him of his role in the plan of GOD: YOU shall call HIM 'JESUS', and you will receive HIM as your "son."  Joseph was a "descendant of David" and JESUS adopted by Joseph would be a legitimate descendant of David.)

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Blessings And Woes

 "Then, looking at HIS disciples, JESUS said,

'Fortunate are you who are poor, for the kingdom of GOD is yours.

Fortunate are you, who are hungry now, for you will be filled.

Fortunate are you, who weep now, for you will laugh.

Fortunate are you, when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man.  Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven.  Remember, that is how the ancestors of the people treated the prophets.

But alas for you, who have wealth, for you have been comforted now.

Alas for you, who are full, for you will go hungry.

Alas for you, who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Alas for you, when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of the people treated the false prophets.'" - Luke 6:20-26 

(The beatitudes do not speak of the conversion of the rich, nor do they say that the poor are better, but they promise a reversal.  The kingdom signifies a new society: GOD blesses the poor but not poverty.

In contrast with these beatitudes, Luke presents lamentations recalling those of Isaiah [65:13-14].  They are lamentations as used for the dead, not maledictions.  For the rich forget GOD and become impermeable to grace.  These lamentations are a sign of the love of GOD for the rich, as are the beatitudes for the poor, for HE loves them all, but in a different way.  To the first HE affirms that HE will destroy the structures of injustice, and to the others HE gives a warning: richness brings death.)

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Do Not Bring Another Christian To Court

 "When you have a complaint against a brother, how dare you bring it before pagan judges, instead of bringing it before GOD's people?  Do you not know that you shall one day judge the world?  And if you are to judge the world, are you incapable of judging such simple problems?

Do you not know that we will even judge the angels?  And could you not decide everyday affairs?  But when you have ordinary cases to be judged, you bring them before those who are of no account in the Church!  Shame on you!  Is there not even one among you wise enough to be the arbiter among believers?

But no.  One of you brings a suit against another one, and files that suit before unbelievers.  It is already a failure that you have suits against each other.  Why do you not rather suffer wrong and receive some damage?  But no.  You wrong and injure others, and those are your brothers and sisters.  Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of GOD?

Make no mistake about it: those who lead sexually immoral lives, or worship idols, or who are adulterers, perverts, sodomites, or thieves, exploiters, drunkards, slanderers or embezzlers will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.  Some of you were like that, but you have been cleansed, and consecrated to GOD and have been set right with GOD, by the name of the LORD JESUS, and the Spirit of our GOD. - 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 

("We carry treasures [from GOD] in vessels of clay" [2 Corinthians 4:7].  How far is our daily life from what we pretend it is: children of GOD reborn in the Spirit!  What do the members of our own family think about this!  What do our near neighbors think of us!

Paul points out the contradiction between the contempt of believers for the false "justice" of the world, and the fact of lawsuits among them.  What should they do?  Settle their differences the way indicated by the Gospel [Matthew 18:15], in so far as there is a real community.  How beautiful it would be to follow the letter of the Gospel [Matthew 5:40]!)

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Gospel Means Liberation

 "On another Sabbath, JESUS entered the synagogue and began teaching.  There was a man with a paralyzed right hand, and the teachers of the law and the Pharisees watched HIM: Would JESUS heal the man on the Sabbath?  If HE did, they could accuse HIM.

But JESUS knew their thoughts, and said to the man, 'Get up, and stand in the middle.'  Then HE spoke to them, 'I want to ask you: what is allowed by the law on the Sabbath?  To do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?'  And JESUS looked around at them all.

Then HE said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.'  He stretched it out, and his hand was restored, becoming as healthy as the other.  But they were furious and began to discuss with one another how they could deal with JESUS." - Luke 6:6-11 

(In this case, JESUS could have said to the man: 'Why do you ask ME to do something forbidden on the Sabbath?  Come back tomorrow to be healed.'  JESUS does not avoid the confrontation because Gospel means liberation and we become free when we admit that there is nothing sacred in a society that attempts to impose its own standards.  The law of rest [Sabbath] is one of the fundamental laws of the Scriptures but that does not prevent the possibility of this law causing oppression and for that reason it must at times be dispensed with.

It is the same for the most sacred laws of the Church: at a given moment they might be an obstacle to the Gospel and, if that be the case, Christian conscience, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, must find a solution for the time being.  As long as people are subject to an order, to laws and authorities which are considered sacred and which no one thinks of criticizing, those people are neither free nor true sons and daughters of GOD.  [See 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 8:4-5; Colossians 2:20-23.] 

A respect for GOD that would destroy our critical sense would not be in keeping with the Gospel; a religion preventing us from seeking the truth and from questioning every area of human restlessness would not be the true one.  To study the Scriptures without daring to know and take into account the contributions of modern science for fear that our very naive vision of sacred history would fall apart, would be to sin against the Spirit.) 

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Give Me YOUR Wisdom

 "Indeed, who can know the intentions of GOD?  Who can discern the plan of the LORD?

For human reasoning is timid, our notions misleading; a perishable body is a burden for the soul and our tent of clay weighs down the active mind.

We are barely able to know about the things of earth and it is a struggle to understand what is close to us; who then may hope to understand heavenly things?

Who has ever known YOUR will unless YOU first gave him Wisdom and sent down YOUR holy spirit to him?  In this way you directed the human race on the right path; they learned what pleases YOU and were saved by Wisdom." - Wisdom 9:13-18 

(The necessary condition for acquiring wisdom consists in having a humble and simple heart.  To those who cooperate with HIM, GOD grants uprightness, prudence and even the authority to lead GOD's people.  Abraham and Moses were called to do great things.

This prayer refers to the event related in 1 Kings 3:6: the dream in which Solomon asked GOD for wisdom.

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Comforted Christians And Harassed Apostles

 "Brothers and sisters, you forced me to apply these comparisons to Apollos and to myself.  Learn by this example, not to believe yourselves superior by siding with one against the other.  How, then, are you more than the others?  What have you that you have not received?  And if you received it, why are you proud, as if you did not receive it?

So, then, you are already rich and satisfied, and feel like kings, without us!  I wish you really were kings, so that we might enjoy the kingship with you!

It seems to me, that GOD has placed us, the apostles, in the last place, as if condemned to death, and as spectacles for the whole world, for the angels as well as for mortals.

We are fools for CHRIST, while you show forth the wisdom of CHRIST.  We are weak, you are strong.  You are honored, while we are despised.  Until now we hunger and thirst, we are poorly clothed and badly treated, while moving from place to place.  We labor, working with our hands.  People insult us and we bless them, they persecute us, and we endure everything; they speak evil against us, and ours are works of peace.  We have become like the scum of the earth, like garbage of humankind until now.

I do not write this to shame you, but to warn you, as very dear children.  Because even though you may have ten thousand guardians in the Christian life, you have only one FATHER; and it was I who gave your life in CHRIST through the gospel." - 1 Corinthians 4:6-15 

(The Corinthians feel rich in their faith, rich in their spiritual gifts.  They have made fair progress in the road of knowledge, and as people expert in the matter, they charitably look down on Paul, the poor Jewish preacher.

The apostle knows that his own culture and strong personality would have given him a bright future.  He sees at the same time narrow-mindedness of his adversaries but allows them to make fun of him.  They think he is a fool, and in a way he is.  However, even if taken for a fool he brought them to CHRIST.)

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Reflections On Good And Evil

 "Trust in YAHWEH and do good; dwell in the land and live on it.

Make YAHWEH your delight; and HE will grant your heart's desire.

Commit your way to YAHWEH; put your trust in HIM and let HIM act.

Then will your revenge come, beautiful as the dawn, and the justification of your cause, bright as the noonday sun.

Do good and shun evil, so that you will live secure forever.

For YAHWEH loves justice and right, and never forsakes HIS faithful ones.  The wicked, instead, will perish, and their breed will be cut off.

YAHWEH is the salvation of the righteous; in time of distress, HE is their refuge.

YAHWEH helps them and rescues them from the oppressor; HE saves them, for they sought shelter in HIM."

- Psalm 37:3-4. 5-6. 27-28. 39-40

(This psalm offers a very simple solution to the problem of evil which will satisfy few today.  Neither power nor riches give access to the inheritance that GOD promised to HIS children.  The psalmist offers a very strong warning against all evildoers.  At the same time, encourages the righteous with the promise of help from the LORD.  And our LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, in the Beatitudes in Chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew, has taught us the way to true life and eternal happiness.)

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