When You Give A Feast, Invite Instead The Poor, The Crippled, The Lame And The Blind.

 "JESUS also addressed the man who had invited HIM, and said, 'When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives, or your wealthy neighbors.  For surely, they will also invite you in return, and you will be repaid.  When you give a feast, invite instead the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.  Fortunate are you then, because they cannot repay you.  You will be repaid at the resurrection of the upright.'" - Luke 14:12-14 

(Every one of us seeks to be near those who are above us, since we think we benefit more from being connected with those who are superior than with those who are inferior.  

JESUS' warning points to one of the main causes of injustice.  We all share in the guilt when we decide with whom it is more beneficial to be associated; consequently, everyone tries to climb higher, always leaving the weakest in the most isolated and helpless position.

It would be a strange sight to see public officials pay more attention to the poorly dressed, or to see the poorest areas supplied with water and power before the residential districts, or to see doctors go to the rural areas to practice.)

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The Judgment And The Coming Of CHRIST

 "Brothers and sisters, let us speak about the coming of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, and our gathering to meet HIM.  Do not be easily unsettled.  Do not be alarmed by what a prophet says, or by any report, or by some letter said to be ours, saying, the day of the LORD is at hand." - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 

(What happens in Thessalonica is what frequently occurs in a persecuted community: people tend to withdraw from real life.  There are rumors that the LORD's coming is imminent and hope verges on hysteria.  This is why Paul reminds them of certain truths, some of which are not new, for the Old Testament had more than once spoken of crises that would precede the Judgment.  We cannot take as literally true all that the prophets have said on this subject, for they spoke with images proper to their time.  They did agree in announcing difficult times for believers and almost a triumph, to begin with, for GOD's enemies.  JESUS did not disagree.)

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For To Me, Living Is For CHRIST, And Dying Is Even Better

 "For to me, living is for CHRIST, and dying is even better.  But if I am to go on living, I shall be able to enjoy fruitful labor.  Which shall I choose?  So, I feel torn between the two.  I desire greatly to leave this life and to be with CHRIST, which will be better by far, but it is necessary for you that I remain in this life.  And because I am convinced of this, I know that I will stay, and remain with you, for your progress and happiness in the faith.  I will surely come to you again and give you more reason for being proud of belonging to CHRIST JESUS." - Philippians 1:21-26 

(For to me, living is for CHRIST.  It is quite trendy to say that Christians should "understand the world" and be "fully human."  This is true in a certain way, but it does not say everything.  GOD's love increases in us through the gift of ourselves to persons and to tasks that HE entrusts to us, but as the love of GOD grows, the desire of CHRIST and eternity takes root with it: this desire makes us like strangers in the world.

Paul would like to see his friends but not for that will he linger over fraternal meals in which his friends would try to provide him with a warm atmosphere.  His deep desire is for what he still lacks: to meet CHRIST in HIS glory [see 2 Corinthians 4:16 and Philippians 3:10].

I desire greatly to leave this life and to be with CHRIST.  St. Paul teaches that those who say that a person ceases to exist at the time of death and only recovers life in the resurrection at the end of times are wrong.  See 2 Corinthians 5:8 also.)

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You Are Of The Household Of GOD

 "Now, you are no longer strangers or guests, but fellow citizens of the holy people: you are of the household of GOD.  You are the house, whose foundations are the apostles and prophets, and whose cornerstone is CHRIST JESUS.  In HIM, the whole structure is joined together, and rises, to be a holy temple, in the LORD.  In HIM, you, too, are being built, to become the spiritual Sanctuary of GOD." - Ephesians 2:19-22

(You are of the household of GOD.  In biblical language this means: to belong to GOD's family.  From here, Paul moves on to another image: you are the household, namely, the true Temple of GOD.  The community of believers from the Temple, or better, is being transformed into the Temple of GOD.

This imposing vision of the Church and our unity in the Church will perhaps astonish many Christians of today who are usually more aware of their responsibilities towards the world than towards our antiquated Church.  Yet, of what Spirit shall we be bearers, and shall we do this work if we are not supported by a community?  Solidarity with those who share our options, and our culture cannot replace participation in the Christian community.  There are probably many things in the Christian community we are not happy with.  However, it would be a bad sign if we were unable to recognize in it the truth that is missing in our non-Christian friends, and without which we would lose our reason for living.)

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Be Strong In The LORD

 "Finally, be strong in the LORD, with HIS energy and strength.  Put on the whole armor of GOD, to be able to resist the cunning of the devil.  Our battle is not against human forces, but against the rulers and authorities and their dark powers, that govern this world.  We are struggling against the spirits and supernatural forces of evil.

Therefore, put on the whole armor of GOD, that, in the evil day, you may resist, and stand your ground, making use of all your weapons.  Take truth as your belt, justice as your breastplate, and zeal as your shoes, to propagate the gospel of peace.  Always hold in your hand, the shield of faith, to repel the flaming arrows of the devil.  Finally, use the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the word of GOD.

Pray at all times, as the Spirit inspires you.  Keep watch, together with sustained prayer and supplication for all the holy ones.  Pray, also, for me, so that when I speak, I may be given words, to proclaim bravely, the mystery of the gospel.  Even when in chains, I am an ambassador of GOD; may HE give me the strength to speak as I should." - Ephesians 6:10-20 

(Paul has said what he had to say.  What does his invitation to be strong mean, when he takes his examples from military life?  Is it because he feels the Christians of Ephesus are not sufficiently strong.  Paul invites them, without saying it, to compare their situation with his.  Free or slaves, most of them were people of modest means of the cities near Ephesus.  Subjected for a long time to the Roman Empire that imposed peace on them, they were free of serious problems.  They were not rich, but they were able to content themselves with little.  Under a Mediterranean sky they had abundant light and a friendly, natural environment.  They found the faith at a time when it cost them little; what would they do the day the Empire became an obstacle and when suddenly they would be classed a bad lot, responsible for all that was wrong?

This is why Paul warns them: peace is only provisional, for the demon is waiting for his hour.  Paul asks them to persevere in prayer: the only effective arms against evil are those that CHRIST has left us: truth, faith, the word of GOD... and if they believe they have found salvation, let them exert themselves to evangelize others.)

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"LORD, Is It True That Few People Will be Saved?"

 "'JESUS went through towns and villages teaching and making HIS way to Jerusalem.  Someone asked HIM, 'LORD, is it true that few people will be saved?'

And JESUS answered, 'Do your best to enter the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.  When once the master of the house has gone inside and locked the door, you will stand outside.  Then you will knock at the door, calling, 'LORD, open to us!'  But HE will say to you, 'I do not know where you come from.'

Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with YOU, and YOU taught in our streets!'  But HE will reply, 'I don't know where you come from.  Away from ME, all you workers of evil.'

You will weep and grind your teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of GOD, and you yourselves left outside.  Others will sit at table in the kingdom of GOD, people coming from east and west, from north and south.  Some who are among the last, will be first; and some who are among the first, will be last!'" - Luke 13:22-30 

(Is it true that few people will be saved?  JESUS considered this a useless question.  What should have been asked, instead, was whether Israel listened to GOD's call, and if she was following the narrow road that would save her.

People coming from east and west.  People from all nations will be converted and come into the Church while the Jewish people--for the most part--would remain outside.)

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What Is The Kingdom Of GOD Like?

 "And JESUS continued, 'What is the kingdom of GOD like?  What shall I compare it to?  Imagine a person who has taken a mustard seed and planted it in his garden.  The seed grown, and become like a small tree, so that the birds of the air shelter in its branches.'" - Luke 13:18-19 

(At the conclusion of HIS Galilean ministry, JESUS invites optimism: although the results are few, a seed has been sown and the kingdom of GOD is growing. 

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The Healing On A Sabbath Day

 "JESUS was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath, and a crippled woman was there.  An evil spirit had kept her bent for eighteen years, so that she could not straighten up at all.  On seeing her, JESUS called her and said, 'Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.'  Then HE laid HIS hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight and praised GOD.

But the ruler of the synagogue was indignant, because JESUS had performed this healing on the Sabbath day, and he said to the people, 'There are six days in which to work.  Come on those days to be healed, and not on the Sabbath!'

But the LORD replied, 'You hypocrites!  Every one of you unties his ox or his donkey on the Sabbath and leads it out of the barn to give it water.  And here you have a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound for eighteen years.  Should she not be freed from her bonds on the Sabbath?'

When JESUS said this, all HIS opponents felt ashamed.  But the people rejoiced at the many wonderful things that happened because of HIM." - Luke 13:10-17 

(The word untie was used by the Jews to express that someone's sin or penalty was canceled.  It also meant freeing an animal from its yoke.  JESUS frees the human person and invites us to follow HIS example.

We should not be surprised at the indignation of the chief of the synagogue.  Since he had never been able to help his sick sister, he must have felt discredited by JESUS' move.  Would it not be the same with us?  It never occurred to JESUS to ask the authorities for permission to save people.)

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The LORD Is Judge And Shows No Partiality

 "The LORD is judge and shows no partiality.  HE will not disadvantage the poor, HE who hears the prayer of the oppressed.  HE does not disdain the plea of the orphan, nor the complaint of the widow.

The one who serves GOD wholeheartedly will be heard; his petition will reach the clouds.  The prayer of the humble person pierces the clouds, and he is not consoled until he has been heard.  His prayer will not cease until the Most High has looked down, until justice has been done in favor of the righteous." - Sirach 35:1`2-14. 16-18 

(We must generously assist in the cost of worship as long as it is not a way of forgetting our responsibilities concerning injustice in our world.  The LORD is pleased with our sacrifices but, above all, HE hears the prayer of the orphan and sees the tears of the widow.)   

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Then No Longer Shall We Be Like Children

 "Then, no longer shall we be like children, tossed about by any wave, or wind of doctrine; and deceived by the cunning of people, who drag them along into error.  Rather, speaking the truth, in love, we shall grow in every way, toward HIM, who is the head, CHRIST.  From HIM, comes the growth of the whole body, to which a network of joints gives order and cohesion, taking into account, and making use of, the function of each one.  So, the body builds itself, in love." - Ephesians 4:14-16 

(Paul suggests that the Ephesians are still children, at least from time to time, when they allow themselves to be influenced by some trend of opinion.  He invites them to become a mature community, capable of being led by the truth, and of building itself up through love.  We too should ask ourselves if we have really gone beyond the time when the "faithful" constantly waited for others to think for them, guide them and push them.)

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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." - Ephesians 4:1-6 

(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 fullness.)

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Be Ready

 "Be ready, dressed for service, and keep your lamps lit, like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding.  As soon as he comes and knocks, they will open the door to him.  Happy are those servants whom the master finds wide-awake when he comes.  Truly, I tell you, he will put on an apron, and have them sit at table, and he will wait on them.  Happy are those servants, if he finds them awake when he comes at midnight or daybreak!" - Luke 12:35-38 

(Happy are those servants whom the master finds wide-awake.  Wide-awake, that is, concerned about tomorrow's world.  Wide-awake also means being aware of the truth; we do not consent to call 'good' evil, and 'evil' good; we do not forgive ourselves for allowing evil and we are not intimidated before injustice.)

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I Have Come To Bring Fire

 "I have come to bring fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  But I have a baptism to undergo, and what anguish I feel until it is finished!" - Luke 12:49-50 

(I have come to bring fire.  Must we think of fire as referring to something precise such as love, the Gospel or the gift of the Holy Spirit?  It is better to stay with the image of fire that purifies, burns all that is old, gives warmth and fosters life; fire of the judgment of GOD destroying all that is not surrendered to its reforming action.

JESUS comes to remake the world and to bring the jewels that will remain for eternity out of the rubble.  Those who follow JESUS must participate in this work of salvation directed at a situation combining work, violence, suffering as well as great dreams wise or mad.

I have a baptism to undergo...  JESUS is the leader and will be the first one to face death as a means of obtaining resurrection.  This step, as 'agonizing' for JESUS as it is for us, is the baptism of fire [see Luke 3:16] that introduces us into a glorious and eternal life.  It is the true baptism of which the others, baptisms of water and Spirit, are only a preparation [Romans 6:3-5].)

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Praise Of GOD's Grandeur

 "All YOUR works will give YOU thanks; all YOUR saints, O YAHWEH, will praise YOU.

They will tell of the glory of YOUR kingdom; and speak of YOUR power, that all may know of YOUR mighty deeds, YOUR reign, and its glorious splendor.

YOUR reign is from age to age; YOUR dominion endures, from generation to generation.

Righteous is YAHWEH in all HIS ways, HIS mercy shows in all HIS deeds.

HE is near those who call on HIM, who call trustfully upon HIS name."

- Psalm 145:10-11. 12-13. 17-18

(When we reflect on what GOD has done for us, we remember that this is what GOD has always done; our lives are borne along on the unending stream of divine love.  To the eternal GOD, eternal praise be given.

Therefore, all we have to do is ask believing that HE will grant it to us, and we will receive all that we ask for.)

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The Path Of Humans Without CHRIST Leads To Death

 "You were dead, through the faults and sins.  Once, you lived through them, according to this world, and followed the Sovereign Ruler who reigns between heaven and earth, and who goes on working, in those who resist the faith.  All of us belonged to them, at one time, and we followed human greed; we obeyed the urges of our human nature and consented to its desires.  By ourselves, we went straight to the judgment, like the rest of humankind.

But GOD, who is rich in mercy, revealed HIS immense love.  As we were dead through our sins, HE gave us life, with CHRIST.  By grace, you have been saved!  And HE raised us to life, with CHRIST, giving us a place with HIM in heaven.

In showing us such kindness, in CHRIST JESUS, GOD willed to reveal, and unfold in the coming ages, the extraordinary riches of HIS grace.  By the grace of GOD, you have been saved, through faith.  This has not come from you: it is GOD's gift.  This was not the result of your works, so you are not to feel proud.  What we are, is GOD's work.  HE has created us, in CHRIST JESUS, for the good works HE has prepared, that we should devote ourselves to them." - Ephesians 2:1-10 

(We obeyed the urges of our human nature and consented to its desires.  There is no need to seek a clearer affirmation of what we call original sin.  Paul does not speak of a fault committed before our personal sins, and in addition to the sins we are responsible for.  It is a flaw easily seen in the human condition and in all our acts; it is the liabilities of our life insofar as GOD has not taken us in hand.

The account of Genesis [Chapters 2-3] has placed in the past this "original" sin, as well as creation.  It is a way of speaking proper to Hebrew culture.  In fact, both our creation by GOD and our revolt against HIM are a part of our daily reality.

HE raised us to life with CHRIST.  Actually, an authentic conversion is experienced as a resurrection.  Paul is saying more: nothing can stop GOD's merciful plan.  HE sees beyond time and has already raised us with CHRIST.  We are seated with HIM in heaven, that is to say, assured of victory.)

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GOD The Protector

 "I lift up my eyes to the mountains--

from where shall come my help?

My help comes from YAHWEH,

maker of heaven and earth.

Will HE let your foot slip,

the one watching over you?

Will HE slumber?

No, the guardian of Israel

neither slumbers nor sleeps.

YAHWEH is your guardian; YAHWEH is at your 

side; and you, in HIS shade;

Sunstroke will not be for you by day,

nor the spell of the moon, by night.

YAHWEH guards you from every evil;

HE will protect your life.

YAHWEH watches over your coming and going,

both now and forever."

- Psalm 121:1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 7-8

(The pilgrim lifts his face toward the Temple on the height of Zion.  It is the earthly home of the one GOD, tireless guardian of Israel.  We, too, journey 'to Mount Zion, the city of the living GOD, the heavenly Jerusalem' with which the old Jerusalem of stone, cannot compare.  'We have here no lasting city and we are looking for the one to come' [Hebrews 13:14].

GOD is faithful, HE watches by day and by night.  On the road to Emmaus, JESUS accompanies them, but they do not recognize HIM.  'If GOD is with us, who could be against us?'  Prayer for the beginning of a difficult task: a conversion, a vocation, the beginning of a family, risks taken for the good of all.)

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There Will Be Pardon For The One Who Criticizes The SON OF MAN, But There Will No Pardon For The One Who Slanders The HOLY SPIRIT.

 "'I tell you, whoever acknowledges ME before people, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of GOD.  But the one who denies ME before others will be denied before the angels of GOD.

There will be pardon for the one who criticizes the Son of Man, but there will be no pardon for the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.

When you are brought before the synagogues, and before governors and rulers, don't worry about how you will defend yourself, or what to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you have to say.'" - Luke 12:8-12 

(JESUS allows HIMSELF to be criticized by those who do not understand HIM.  Many Pharisees of good faith did not understand JESUS and were scandalized by HIM.  This was excusable, but it is a different thing to call evil that which is clearly good.

To slander [or: to blaspheme] the Holy Spirit is to attribute to a bad spirit a work that is manifestly good.  Those who systematically attribute bad intentions to good work done by others, by the Church, by other parties, sin against the Holy Spirit.  The one who recognizes the truth but not GOD is better off than the one who says he believes in GOD but does not recognize the truth.) 

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We Have Been Chosen And Called

 "By a decree of HIM, who disposes all things,

according to HIS own plan and decision,

we, the Jews, have been chosen and called,

and we were awaiting the Messiah,

for the praise of HIS glory.

You, on hearing the word of truth,

the gospel that saves you,

have believed in HIM.

And, as promised, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit,

the first pledge of what we shall receive,

on the way to our deliverance, as a people of GOD,

for the praise of HIS glory.

- Ephesians 1:11-14

(We have been chosen and called.  Paul speaks for himself and in the name of the Jewish people chosen to be the people of GOD.

You now...  Here Paul means the pagan people like the Ephesians, whom he is addressing.  And so, the fullness of time had come, that is to say the time of the Gospel proclaimed to the entire world so that everyone could receive the gifts of the Spirit.

This page clarifies some essential points of faith.)

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Woe To You, Pharisees!

 "A curse is on you, for you build monuments to the prophets your ancestors killed.  So, you approve and agree with what your ancestors did.  Is it not so?  They got rid of the prophets, and you build monuments to them!

For that reason, the wisdom of GOD also said: I will send prophets and apostles and these people will kill and persecute some of them.  But the present generation will have to answer for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the Sanctuary.  Yes, I tell you, the people of this time will have to answer for them all.

A curse is on you, teachers of the law, for you have taken the key to knowledge.  You yourselves have not entered, and you prevented others from entering.

As JESUS left that place, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees began to harass HIM, asking HIM endless questions, setting traps to catch HIM in something HE might say." -  Luke 11:47-54 

(Those who, before Luke, wrote down this saying of JESUS: I will send prophets... which we also read in Matthew 23:34], introduced it with the formula: "Wisdom says," which was a way of designating JESUS.  When Luke placed these lines within JESUS' discourse, he forgot to take out these words.  Removing them would have made the text a lot clearer.

JESUS states that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law will be mainly responsible for the persecution against the first Christians [against those apostles and prophets HE is going to send].

The warning of JESUS is equally relevant for Christian institutions and all those who in one way or another guide the community.  We too, perhaps, build a church for the "elite" who unconsciously despise the poor and the lowly.  So very quickly were the prophets paralyzed or eliminated.

You yourselves have not entered and you prevented others from entering.  Is not this one of the reasons why so many simple people go to other churches?)

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The Fruit Of The Spirit

 "But when you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law.

You know what comes from the flesh: fornication, impurity and shamelessness, idol worship and sorcery, hatred, jealousy and violence, anger, ambition, division, factions, and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like.  I again say to you what I have already said: those who do these things shall not inherit the kingdom of GOD.

But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy and peace, patience, understanding of others, kindness and fidelity, gentleness and self-control.  For such things there is no law or punishment.  Those who belong to CHRIST have crucified the flesh with its vices and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us live is a spiritual way.  Let us not be conceited; let there be no rivalry or envy of one another." - Galatians 5:18-26 

(Paul rightly gives a short list of the works of the flesh and another of the fruits of the Spirit.  He places side by side idolatry and the ambitions or divisions so common in religious and practicing groups.  It is clear that for him flesh and Spirit are not the same as "body" and "soul": the pettiness and attachment to our privileges are also sins of the flesh, that is of people alien to the Spirit.)

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"You Clean The Outside Of The Cup And The Dish, But Inside Yourselves You Are Full Of Greed And Evil."

 "As JESUS was speaking, a Pharisee asked HIM to have a meal with him.  So, HE went and sat at table.  The Pharisee then wondered why JESUS did not first wash HIS hands before dinner.  But the LORD said to him, 'So then, you Pharisees, you clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside yourselves you are full of greed and evil.  Fools!  HE who made the outside, also made the inside.  But according to you, by the mere giving of alms everything is made clean.'" - Luke 11:37-41 

(Scripture does not demand these ritual purifications that Mark also mentions in 7:3, but the teachers of JESUS' time insisted that they were necessary.  JESUS rebels against these new religious obligations.  Why do they not pay more attention to inner purification?)

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All That GOD Has Given To Each One Of Us Should Produce Fruits For All Humanity

 "As the crowd increased, JESUS spoke the following words: 'People of the present time are troubled people.  They ask for a sign, but no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.  As Jonah became a sign for the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be a sign for this generation.  The Queen of the South will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and here, there is greater than Solomon.  The people of Nineveh will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them, for Jonah's preaching made them turn from their sins, and here, there is greater than Jonah.'" - Luke 11:29-32 

(The Ninevites, being sinners, received no other divine sign than the coming of Jonah, who invited them to repent.  JESUS' contemporaries believe they are "good" because they belong to the people of GOD, and they do not realize that the hour has come for them to repent as well.

The people of Nineveh will rise up with these people and accuse them.  JESUS again uses the traditional image of collective judgment where each one excuses himself by pointing out that others have done worse.  This image retains a deep truth: all that GOD has given to each one of us should produce fruits for all humanity.)

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Among The Many People Asking GOD For Healing And Favors, How Many Will Really Come To Love GOD?

 "On the way to Jerusalem, JESUS passed through Samaria and Galilee, and as HE entered a village, ten lepers came to meet HIM.  Keeping their distance, they called to HIM, 'JESUS, Master, have pity on us!'  JESUS said to them, 'Go, and show yourselves to the priests.'  Then, as they went on their way, they found they were cured.  One of them, as soon as he saw that he was cleansed, turned back, praising GOD in a loud voice; and throwing himself on his face before JESUS, he gave HIM thanks.  This man was a Samaritan.

Then JESUS asked him, 'Were not all ten healed?  Where are the other nine?  Did none of them decide to return and give praise to GOD, but this foreigner?'  And JESUS said to him, 'Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you.'" - Luke 17:11-19 

(The ten lepers were cured but only one of them was told: Your faith has saved you.  He was the one who responded straight from the heart.  While the others were concerned about fulfilling the legal requirements, he only thought about giving thanks to GOD right where the grace of GOD found him: such is the faith which saves and transforms us.

Among the many people asking GOD for healing and favors, how many will really come to love GOD?)

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"Blessed Is The One Who Gave YOU Birth And Nursed YOU!"

 "As JESUS was speaking, a woman spoke from the crowd and said to HIM, 'Blessed is the one who gave YOU birth and nursed YOU!'  JESUS replied, 'Truly blessed are those who hear the word of GOD and keep it as well.'" -  Luke 11:27-28 

(Blessed is the one who gave YOU birth! This woman envies the mother of JESUS and is full of admiration for HIS way of speaking.  She is mistaken if she thinks that JESUS' relatives can be proud on HIS account, and she is wasting her time if she admires HIS words instead of making them her own.  So, JESUS turns her towards the FATHER, whose word HE gives, and to herself, whom GOD invites to the family of HIS sons and daughters.

As for Mary, the mother of JESUS, the one who believed [1:45], she kept all the words and deeds of the LORD in her heart [Luke 2:51].)

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Righteousness Or Justification

 "Understand, then, that those who follow the way of faith are sons and daughters of Abraham.

The Scriptures foresaw that, GOD would give true righteousness to the non-Jewish nations.  For GOD's promise to Abraham was this: In you shall all the nations be blessed.  So, now, those who take the way of faith receive the same blessing as Abraham, who believed; but those who rely on the practice of the law are under a curse, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who does not always fulfill everything written in the law.

It is plainly written that no one becomes righteous in GOD's way, by the law: by faith the righteous shall live.  Yet the law gives no place to faith, for according to it: the one who fulfills the commandments shall have life through them.

Now CHRIST rescued us from the curse of the law, by becoming cursed HIMSELF, for our sake, as it is written: there is a curse on everyone who is hanged on a tree.  So, the blessing granted to Abraham, reached the pagan nations in, and, with CHRIST, and we received the promised Spirit, through faith." - Galatians 3:7-14 

(Righteousness or justification.  Like in Romans, Paul will use this word abundantly.  It means that through faith we are set right with GOD and our self is re-ordered so as to enter HIS ways.)

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You Begin With The Spirit And End Up With The Flesh!

 "How foolish you are, Galatians!  How could they bewitch you after JESUS CHRIST has been presented to you as crucified?  I shall ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by the practice of the law, or by believing the message?  How can you be such fools: you begin with the Spirit and end up with the flesh!

So, you have experienced all this in vain!  Would that, it were not so!  Did GOD give you the Spirit, and work miracles among you because of your observance of the law, or because you believed in HIS message?" - Galatians 3:1-5 

(A good number of these Galatians are of Jewish origin; the others already have some notion of the Old Testament given that it is read in Church meetings [the New Testament does not yet exist].  Paul then will recall first their own experience in baptism, when they received the Spirit; he will later interpret this experience in reading the Old Testament.

You begin with the Spirit and end up with the flesh.  This phrase has a double meaning: First the Galatians experienced the working of the Holy Spirit and HIS miracles and now they want to receive circumcision in the flesh.  In another sense, they started with the truth of GOD that was in JESUS: that is "the Spirit."  Now they go back to Jewish observances which, though they come from GOD, many times remained, as any religious practice, at a human level: the flesh.)

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LORD, Teach Us To Pray

 "One day, JESUS was praying in a certain place; and when HE had finished, one of HIS disciples said to HIM, 'LORD, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'  And JESUS said to them, 'When you pray, say this:

FATHER, may YOUR name be held holy,

may YOUR kingdom come;

give us, each day, the kind of bread we need,

and forgive us our sins; for we also forgive all who do us wrong;

and do not bring us to the test.'" - Luke 11:1-4

(The apostles already knew howe to pray and they prayed in common, as all the Jews did, in the synagogue and at key times during the day.  Yet, in living close to JESUS they discovered a new way to live in close fellowship and they felt a need to address the FATHER differently.  JESUS waited for them to ask HIM to teach them how to pray.  See Matthew 6:9.)  

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"He, Who Once Persecuted Us, Is Now Preaching The Faith He Tried To Uproot."

 "You have heard of my previous activity in the Jewish community; I furiously persecuted the Church of GOD and tried to destroy it.  For I was more devoted to the Jewish religion than many fellow Jews of my age, and I defended the traditions of my ancestors more fanatically.

But one day, GOD called me, out of HIS great love, HE, who had chosen me from my mother's womb; and HE was pleased to reveal, in me, HIS Son, that I might make HIM known among the pagan nations.  Then, I did not seek human advice, nor did I go up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me.  I immediately went to Arabia, and from there, I returned, again, to Damascus.  Later, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to meet Cephas, and I stayed with him for fifteen days.  But I did not see any other apostle except James, the LORD's brother.  On writing this to you, I affirm before GOD that I am not lying.

After that, I went to Syria and Cilicia.  The churches of CHRIST in Judea did not know me personally; they had only heard of me: "He, who once persecuted us, is now preaching the faith he tried to uproot."  And they praised GOD because of me." - Galatians 1:13-24 

(To reveal in me HIS Son.  Paul has not only "seen" CHRIST, but he also discovered HIM intimately present in himself.  The risen CHRIST, Word and Wisdom of GOD, gave him in a unique illumination all the truth of faith [not all the truths which are only partial aspects which we may discover in different stages of life].

The case of Paul, whom CHRIST called directly, is special.  Yet we see that Paul did not impose himself on the Church.  CHRIST sent him to ask Ananias for baptism.  Later he saw "Cephas" [the Aramean name for Peter], recognized head of the Church, and James, responsible for the Church of Jerusalem.  This "union" or "communion" is indispensable for acting in the name of the Church.)

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There Is No Other Gospel

 "I am surprised at how quickly you have abandoned GOD, who called you, according to the grace of CHRIST, and have gone to another gospel.  Indeed, there is no other gospel, but some people, who are sowing confusion among you, want to turn the gospel of CHRIST upside down.

But even if we, ourselves, were giving you another gospel, different from the one we preached to you, or if it were an angel from heaven, I would say: let GOD's curse be on him!  As I have said, I now say again: if anyone preaches the gospel in a way other than you received it, fire that one!  Are we to please humans or obey GOD?  Do you think that I try to please people?  If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of CHRIST.

Let me remind you, brothers and sisters, that the gospel we preached to you is not a human message, nor did I receive it from anyone, I was not taught of it; but it came to me, as a revelation from CHRIST JESUS." - Galatians 1:6-12 

(I am surprised at how quickly you have abandoned GOD... and have gone to another gospel.  There are many ways of preaching the Gospel and making of it a different one, no longer the Good News given by GOD through JESUS.  Some of the Galatians who were of Jewish origin did not understand it.  The style of life, in appearance more religious, that they were trying to impose on the community, was in fact a way of doubting JESUS, who alone is Savior.

The one we preached to you.  Astonishing words for us who are used to receiving different points of view: was Paul then infallible?  He knew he was bearer, not only of the word of GOD, but also of the "truth of the Gospel."  In fact, the faith of the Chruch has always been the faith of the apostles: we believe in JESUS as the apostles believed, understood and taught.  It is impossible to make this a subject of discussion without departing from the Christian faith.  The doctrine received from the apostles and guarded by the Church is what we call Tradition.

The enemies of Paul criticize his authority saying that he was not an apostle like those JESUS had chosen.  Paul will then briefly recall his itinerary: see on this subject Acts 9:1-31.)

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Fan Into A Flame The Gift Of GOD You Received

"For this reason, I invite you to fan into a flame, the gift of GOD you received, through the laying on of my hands.  For GOD did not confer on us a spirit of fearfulness, but of strength, love and good judgment.  Do not be ashamed of testifying to our LORD, nor of seeing me in chains.  On the contrary, do your share in laboring for the gospel, with the strength of GOD.  

Follow the pattern of the sound doctrine which you have heard from me, concerning faith, and love in CHRIST JESUS.  Keep this precious deposit, with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within us." - 2 Timothy 1:6-8. 13-14 

(Fan into a flame the gift of GOD you received.  See 1 Timothy 4:14.  Paul tries to give his own energy to Timothy and he reminds him of GOD's love and promises.

The sound doctrine... the precious deposit... which you have heard from me: see 1 Timothy 1:3.  The doctrine of the faith cannot be altered, but neither can it be put in storage.  It must be lived, which brings into play our creativity as well as that of the Holy Spirit that lets it be rediscovered each day.)

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Now My Eyes Have Seen YOU

 "This was the answer Job gave to YAHWEH:

I know that YOU are all powerful;

no plan of YOURS can be thwarted.

I spoke of things I did not understand,

too wonderful for me to know.

My ears had heard of YOU,

but now my eyes have seen you.

Therefore, I retract all I have said,

and in dust and ashes I repent.

YAHWEH blessed Job's latter days much more than his earlier ones.  He came to own fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-donkeys.  He was also blessed with seven sons and three daughters.  The first daughter he named Dove, the second Cinnamon, and the third Bottle of Perfume.  Nowhere in the land was there found any woman who could compare in beauty with Job's daughters.  Their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.

Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.  He died old and full of years." - Job 42:1-3. 5-6. 12-17 

(Now my eyes have seen YOU.  Job's questions about suffering and death have not been answered, but now we realize that it was not essential.  GOD has responded.  GOD has revealed HIMSELF and Job has begun to live as someone who has been miraculously freed from his loneliness.  The words addressed by GOD to him seem reproachful, but Job feels better off with a thousand reproaches than with nothing.

What Job needed was not a revelation, since GOD gave him intelligence to investigate these human questions.  What he lacked was to see GOD, and this is the great yearning of the entire Scriptures: "Show us YOUR face and we will be saved" [Psalm 80:8].

In the last paragraph we have the conclusion of the popular story of the holy man Job.  Since he preserved his trust, it was rewarded in the end by the just GOD.

Job is the example of a Christian who courageously looks for an answer to today's problems: MY servant Job has spoken properly of ME.)

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