Be On The Alert!

"You do not need anyone to write to you about the delay, and the appointed time for these events.  You know that the day of the LORD will come like a thief in the night.  When people feel secure, and at peace, the disaster will suddenly come upon them, as the birth pangs of a woman in labor, and they will not escape.

But you, beloved, are not in darkness; so that day will not surprise you like a thief.  All of you are citizens of the light and the day; we do not belong to night and darkness.  Let us not, therefore, sleep as others do, but remain alert and sober.

For GOD has not willed us to be condemned, but to win salvation, through CHRIST JESUS, our LORD.  HE died for us, so that, we might enter into life, with HIM, whether we are still awake or already asleep.  Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, as you are doing now." - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6. 9-11 

(The Day of the LORD will come like a thief in the night: but believers are people of the light.  These words are rich in meaning.  Those who follow their evil desires are people of darkness, hiding to do evil.  While children of the light are beyond reproach, transparent before GOD and with nothing to hide from HIM.  The unbeliever sleeps and is off-guard while the believer keeps watch and stays awake: he likes to pray all night long until dawn as if waiting for the day to welcome CHRIST.  As for those who have died, they are not dead: they are only "asleep," ready to rise when the LORD comes.

Encourage one another and build up one another.  In this the Church is seen as the true community needed by believers so they can grow in faith and overcome trials.  In every difficulty, the help of the community will be the proof that we are surrounded by the love of GOD and of CHRIST, as was said in the first line of the letter.)

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The Hypocrites! (A Sequel)

"Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You are like whitewashed tombs beautiful in appearance, but inside there are only dead bones and uncleanness.  In the same way you appear as religious to others, but you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness within.

Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous.  You say:  Had we lived in the time of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in the blood of prophets.  So, you yourselves confess to be kins of those who murdered the prophets.  And now, finish off what your ancestors began!" - Matthew 23:27-32 

(We have on one side "the prophets" and on the other those who "kill the prophets".  The Bible shows us that the prophets meet with much opposition among the people of GOD and especially among its leaders.

There is a people of GOD and this people had necessarily its institutions which help it to be faithful to its mission.  In fact, this people follow their reflexes and social prejudices, and the whole institution, even if born of the Spirit, becomes heavy and hardens with time.  Prophets are readily condemned when they challenge peace and unity in mediocrity or even unfaithfulness to the word of GOD.

The defenders of the Jewish community were not ready to listen to their prophet.  It was one thing to honor the prophets of the past and keep the sacred books, another to accept the criticism addressed to them by GOD, not in the sacred books, but from the lips of JESUS, the carpenter.

Thus, it was that the prominent Jews let the moment when GOD visited them slip by - following the path that would lead their nation to ruin.

The example of the Jewish nation must serve as a warning to us.  Are our Christian communities, confronted today by a major crisis, able to build a poorer and more demanding Church?  Will they be less pre-occupied with their personal survival rather than giving the Gospel to the world?)

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John The Baptist Beheaded

"For this is what had happened.  Herod had ordered John to be arrested and had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her and John had told him, 'It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife.'  So, Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not because Herod respected John.  He knew John to be an upright and holy man and kept him safe.  And he liked listening to him, although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him.

Herodias had her chance on Herod's birthday, when he gave a dinner for all the senior government officials, military chiefs and the leaders of Galilee.  On that occasion the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and his guests.  The king said to the girl, 'Ask me of anything you want, and I will give it to you.  And he went so far as to say with many oaths, 'I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.'  She went out to consult her mother, 'What shall I ask for?'  The mother replied, 'The head of John the Baptist.'  The girl hurried to the king and made her request:  'I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish.'

The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths.  So he sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John's head.  He went and beheaded John in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl.  And the girl gave it to her mother.  When John's disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it." - Mark 6:17-29 

(King Herod.  This refers to Herod Antipas, son of the other Herod who reigned when JESUS was born.

 

King Herod respected John, but he was prisoner of his milieu and of his vices.  As king of Galilee, his misconduct constituted a public counter-witness.

 

All through the Bible we see prophets stressing the particular responsibility of those who wield power.  If they have to lead the people, they must be, by the rectitude of their life, an example; John the Baptist could not speak of justice without reproaching Herod for his infidelity.

 

People said that John the Baptist has been raised from the dead.  They considered John a martyr and believed he would rise from the dead to punish Herod.  Some associated JESUS with John - JESUS performed miracles that John had not done.  Others, less informed, thought JESUS was an apparition of John.)

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The Defenders Of The Faith

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You do not forget the mint, anise and cumin seeds when you demand the tenth of everything; but then, you forget what is most fundamental in the law: justice, mercy and faith!  You should have done these things without neglecting the others.  Blind guides!  You strain out a mosquito but swallow a camel.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You fill the plate and the cup, with theft and violence, and then pronounce a blessing over them.  Blind Pharisee!  Purify the inside first, then the outside, too, will be purified." - Matthew 23:23-26 

(How could JESUS call such men hypocrites when they were so versed in the knowledge of the Scriptures?

In the language of JESUS, the word "hypocrite" equally denotes what is superficial as well as the one who makes light of what is of GOD.  Obviously not all the Pharisees were hypocrites; but JESUS denounces a frequent deformation in the religious elite.  HE calls us to be wary of those institutions born of possessors of wealth and culture who aspire to direct others--and the Church--without having learned from the poor or practiced true humility.

The mystery of GOD is so deep that no one can present himself as HIS lieutenant.  The Pharisees trained, taught and gained many followers in the faith but their fasts and alms were already rewarded.  Pride and love of money were given their place.)

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Peter's Faith; JESUS Promises

"After that, JESUS came to Caesarea Philippi.  HE asked HIS disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'  They said, 'For some of them, YOU are John the Baptist; for others Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.'

JESUS asked them, 'But you, who do you say I AM?'  Peter answered, 'YOU are the Messiah, the Son of the living GOD.'  JESUS replied, 'It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you, but MY FATHER in heaven.

And now I say to you: You are Peter; and on this Rock I will build MY Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.'

Then HE ordered HIS disciples not to tell anyone that HE was the CHRIST." - Matthew 16:13-20 

(One parable of the kingdom of GOD already foretold the Church [Matthew 13:31-33].  This present text openly refers to the Church:

- it tells us what its foundation is: faith in JESUS, the CHRIST and Son of GOD.

- it focuses on the primacy of Peter among all the apostles.

- it suggests that the Church will always need a visible head.  This is the successor of Peter, the pope.)

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Do Not Imitate The Teachers Of The Law

"Then JESUS said to the crowds and to HIS disciples:

The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees sat on the seat of Moses.  So you shall do and observe all they say, but do not do as they do, for they do not do what they say.  They tie up heavy burdens and load them on the shoulders of the people, but they do not even raise a finger to move them.  They do everything in order to be seen by people; so they wear very wide bands of the Law around their foreheads, and robes with large tassels.  They enjoy the first place at feasts and reserved seats in the synagogues, and being greeted in the marketplace and being called 'Master' by the people.

But you, do not let yourselves be called Master because you have only one Master, and all of you are brothers and sisters.  Neither should you call anyone on earth FATHER, HE who is in heaven.  Nor should you be called leader, because CHRIST is the only leader for you.  Let the greatest among you be the servant of all.  For whoever makes himself great shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be made great." - Matthew 23:1-12  

(The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees sat on the seat of Moses.  The Gospel says it with more precision: they have seated themselves in the chair of Moses.  This rather ironic formula suggests that the ambitious appropriate to themselves the authority over the people of GOD and that to a certain point GOD tolerates it.  Matthew, in recording these words of JESUS, wants to preserve in the Church fundamental equality.  It is the whole Church that enjoys the Holy Spirit, and the heads or doctors will have no authority unless they are deeply rooted in the community's life.

Paul will speak of CHRIST and the Church using the comparison of the head and the body [Ephesians 5:25].  Likewise in the Church the authority of the bishop goes hand in hand with fidelity to the Church as it is and does not seek to impose his own projects.

Do all they say.  The bad example of the authorities does not discredit the word of GOD.  Nor does it lessen the principle of authority.  Their bad attitude discredits only their pretense at being superior to others.  They cannot renounce their authority on the pretext of humble service and then carry out what the majority has decided.

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

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

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

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A Scholar Of Law Tested JESUS

"When the Pharisees heard how JESUS had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together.  One of them, a lawyer, questioned HIM to test HIM, 'Teacher, which commandment of the law is the greatest?'

JESUS answered, 'You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and the most important of the commandments.  The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  The whole law and the prophets are founded on these two commandments.'" - Matthew 22:34-40

 

(You shall love the LORD with all your heart.  You shall love HIM more than you love your loved ones.  You shall long for HIM, you shall forget yourself so that, in everything, you search for what HE wants most from you.

You shall love the LORD, with all your mind.  You shall devote the best of your intelligence to knowing HIM.  Looking into your own life, you shall understand how much HE has guided you.  You shall try to understand how the kingdom of GOD is coming through world and daily events.  Praying and reading the Scriptures regularly, you shall ask GOD to give you HIS own Spirit so that you may understand HIM better.

You shall love the LORD, with all your strength.  Since you are very weak in this, you shall ask for HIS help and strive to unite with the true servants of GOD, using the means that the Church makes available to you.

The commandment to love your neighbor as you love yourself comes second, because it cannot be understood or fulfilled without love of GOD.  For GOD asks for more than solidarity with one's neighbor, or concern for those who are suffering.  We should make an effort to look at our brothers and sisters in the same way that the FATHER does.  We should give them what the FATHER wants for them.  Among so many good things we could do for our neighbor, we should select those that the Holy Spirit inspires us to do.  All this requires that we first know and love GOD.

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You Will See The Heavens Opened

"Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about  in the law, and the prophets: HE is JESUS, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.'

Nathanael replied, 'Can anything good come from Nazareth?'  Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'  When JESUS saw Nathanael coming, he said of him, 'Here comes an Israelite, a true one; there is nothing false in him.'  Nathanael asked him, 'How do YOU know me?'  And JESUS said to him, 'Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree, and I saw you.'

Nathanael answered, 'Master, YOU are the Son of GOD!  YOU are the king of Israel!'  But JESUS replied, 'You believe because I said, 'I saw you under the fig tree.'  But you will see greater things than that.

Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened, and the angels of GOD ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.'" - John 1:45-51 

(These two disciples recognized JESUS.  It would be more exact to say that JESUS recognized those whom the FATHER had entrusted to HIM.  Thus, HE recognized Nathanael when he was under the fig tree.  Among the Jews, this expression referred to a teacher of the law engaged in teaching religion, since ordinarily they taught under the shade of a tree.  In the same way, JESUS recognized Simon whom the FATHER chose to be the first Rock of the Church [Matthew 16:13].

You will see the heavens opened.  Jacob has seen the heavens open and the angels of GOD forming a living bridge between heaven and earth: this is an image of the communion with GOD which people seek in vain with their various religions.  These may give us some external knowledge of GOD and satisfy our religious instincts.  Even if we interiorize our search for GOD, we are sinful people who cannot find HIS inner presence without being called by HIM.

The only bridge between GOD and humankind is CHRIST: Son of GOD become man, both GOD and human.  Later, in referring to this text [John 1:51] JESUS will declare that HE is the Gate to heaven, because in HIM, GOD has embraced humanity.) 

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The Last Will Be First, The First Will Be Last!

"This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven.  A landowner went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.  He agreed to pay the workers a salary of a silver coin for the day, and sent them to his vineyard. 

He went out again at about nine in the morning, and seeing others idle in the square, he said to them:  'You, too, go to my vineyard and I will pay you what is just.'  So they went.

The owner went out at midday and again at three in the afternoon, and he did the same.  Finally he went out at the last working hour - it was the eleventh - and he saw others standing there.  So he said to them:  'Why do you stay idle the whole day?'  They answered:  'Because no one has hired us.'  The master said:  'Go and work in my vineyard.'

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager: 'Call the workers and pay them their wage, beginning with the last and ending with the first.'  Those who had come to work at the eleventh hour turned up and given a denarius (a silver coin).  When it was the turn of the first, they thought they would receive more.  But they, too, received a denarius each.  So, on receiving it, they began to grumble against the landowner.

They said:  'These last hardly worked an hour, yet you have treated them the same as us who have endured the day's burden and heat.'  The owner said to one of them:  'Friend, I have not been unjust to you.  Did we not agree on a denarius a day?  So take what is yours and go.  I want to give to the last the same as I give to you.  Don't I have the right to do as I please with my money?  Why are you envious when I am kind?

So will it be:  the last will be first, the first will be last." - Matthew 20:1-16 

(Many are surprised at this parable.  They find it unfair to give the same reward to everyone, without taking into account the labor and sacrifices of everyone.

 

Without doubt JESUS wanted to shock us and shatter the idea we obstinately cling to:  that we have merits that GOD must recognize.  However, we should pay close attention to the story:  JESUS makes a comparison, not of several laborers, but of several groups of laborers.  Each group represents a nation or a social class, and while some of them have long ago received the word of GOD, others have just become believers.

 

All throughout history, GOD has been calling different people to work in his vineyard... The elders never cease to claim their right to receive better treatment than the others.  Actually, the vineyard has not been confided to them exclusively.

 

To this day, there are also social groups that are amazed when the Church criticizes their demand for privileges and does not assign them the first benches in the temple for they had always believed that the Church was theirs.

 

In this parable, all are treated on equal terms and receive one silver coin each.  Let them be happy for having been invited to work, as they were unemployed.)

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It Will Be Hard For One Who Is Rich To Enter The Kingdom Of Heaven!

"JESUS said to HIS disciples, 'Truly I say to you: it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Yes, believe ME: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for the one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.'

On hearing this, the disciples were astonished and said, 'Who, then, can be saved?'  JESUS looked at them and answered, 'For human beings it is impossible, but for GOD all things are possible.'

Then Peter spoke up and said, 'YOU see, we have given up everything to follow YOU.  What, then, will there be for us?'

JESUS answered, 'You, who have followed ME, listen to MY words: on the Day of Renewal, when the Son of Man sits on HIS throne in glory, you, also, will sit, on twelve thrones, to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.  As for those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or property for MY Name's sake, they will receive a hundredfold, and be given eternal life.  Many who are now first, will be last, and many who are now last, will be first.'" - Matthew 19:23-30 

(Finally, there is the question that bothers us most for all that touches money affects us deeply, and it is there that the Gospel shocks us: it is easier for a camel...

The call of the rich young man has always been considered the model of the religious, apostolic vocation.  Without effective, voluntary poverty a person will never attain union with GOD that is the goal of the true religious.  Besides, as long as the apostles share the life of comfortable people, they will be able to be their friends, but they will never have deep conversions nor will they during this time reach the immense world of the poor.

The problem of poverty is also at the heart of the family in today's world: for the greater number, believers or non-believers, the joys and blessings that GOD showers on a large family will only be given to those who have ceased to evaluate everything according to the criteria of money and security.)

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JESUS And The Rich Young Man

"It was then that a young man approached HIM and asked, 'Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?... If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.'... The young man said to HIM, 'I have kept all these commandments, what is still lacking?'  JESUS answered, 'If you wish to be perfect, go and sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor and you will become the owner of a treasure in heaven.  Then come back and follow me.

On hearing this answer, the young man went away sad for he was a man of great wealth." - Matthew 19:16-22

JESUS And The Rich Young Man

 

(Love of the FATHER means wanting to be perfect as the FATHER is and working for HIS Kingdom.  First of all, it needs to be free, and the rich man can only be free through voluntary poverty.  The man also wanted to know how to receive eternal life and JESUS will clearly state at the end, that even if we obey the commandments, we do not "merit" eternal life:  salvation is always a gift of GOD.)

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The Faith Of The Canaanite Woman

"Leaving that place, JESUS withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  Now a Canaanite woman came from those borders and began to cry out, 'LORD, Son of David, have pity on me!  My daughter is tormented by a demon.'  But JESUS did not answer her, not even a word.  So, HIS disciples approached HIM and said, 'Send her away: see how she is shouting after us.'

Then JESUS said to her, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.'

But the woman was already kneeling before JESUS and said, 'Sir, help me!'  JESUS answered, 'It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to the little dogs.'  The woman replied, 'It is true, sir, but even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master's table.'  Then JESUS said, 'Woman, how great is your faith!  Let it be as you wish.'  And her daughter was healed at that moment." - Matthew 15:21-28 

(The Jews usually looked down on pagans with marked contempt: they were the sons; the pagans were the dogs.  JESUS answered the afflicted woman repeating this well-known scornful saying.  HE said this to test the woman's faith: would she insist when it appeared that even GOD would reject her?)

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JESUS And The Children

"Then little children were brought to JESUS, that HE might lay HIS hands on them and pray for them.  But the disciples scolded those who brought them.  JESUS then said, 'Let the children be!  Don't hinder them from coming to ME; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are humble, like these children.'  JESUS laid HIS hands on them and went away," - Matthew 19:13-15 

JESUS And The Children

(JESUS despite having no children of HIS own, opens to everyone the richness of HIS heart.  HE marvels at the mystery of life that begins full of hope, and discovers the likeness of the FATHER in every unknown child.  How could JESUS, who asks us to have hope, forget that the children are also our hope?

Whoever does not receive the kingdom of GOD like a child.  We must be like children in order to enter the kingdom of GOD.  We must forget our wisdom, and self-sufficiency, and the bitterness of past experience in order to receive GOD's gifts and words in wonder and simplicity.)

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JESUS Speaks About Divorce

"Some Pharisees approached HIM.  They wanted to test HIM and asked, 'Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason he wants?'

JESUS replied, 'Have you not read, that, in the beginning, the Creator made them male and female?  And the Creator said: Therefore, a man shall leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body.  So, they are no longer two, but one body.  Let no one separate what GOD has joined.'

They asked HIM, 'Then why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?'  JESUS replied, 'Moses knew the hardness of your hearts, so he allowed you to divorce your wives; but it was not so in the beginning.  Therefore, I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, unless it be of immorality, and married another, commits adultery.'

The disciples said, 'If that is the condition of a married man, it is better not to marry.'  JESUS said to them, 'Not everybody can accept what you have just said, but only those who have received this gift.  There are eunuchs born so, from their mother's womb.  Some have been made that way by others.  But there are some who have given up the possibility of marriage, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.  Let the one who can accept it, accept it.'" - Matthew 19:3-12 

(Every human society has had its laws on marriage, and it was the same for Israel.  There was then a law on divorce, in harmony with the difference of status accorded by society to man and woman; it was in Scripture [Deuteronomy 24:1].  JESUS does not want to be involved in the discussions of teachers and interpreters of the law: HE opposes this law with another word of Scripture which presents GOD's point of view regarding human attitudes which HE tolerates.

In doing this JESUS shows how HE brings the Law to "perfection" [5:17], but clearly this "Law of GOD" can only be heard by those who have received the Spirit from JESUS, a fact that is emphasized in the reaction of the disciples.

Better not to marry.  JESUS does not apologize for these demanding words.  HE only proposes something more difficult to understand.  HE praises those to whom have been given to choose celibacy as a way of life for love of the kingdom.

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The Pardon

"Then Peter asked HIM, 'LORD, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother or sister?  Seven?  JESUS answered, 'No, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'

This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven.  A king decided to settle the accounts of his servants.  Among the first was one who owed him ten thousand gold ingots.  As the man could not repay the debt, the king commanded that he be sold as a slave with his wife, children and all his goods in payment.

The official threw himself at the feet of the king and said, 'Give me time, and I will pay you back everything.'  The king took pity on him and not only set him free but even canceled his debt.

This official then left the king's presence and he met one of his companions who owed him a hundred pieces of silver.  He grabbed him by the neck and almost strangled him, shouting, 'Pay me what you owe!'  His companion threw himself at his feet and asked him, 'Give me time, and I will pay everything.'  The other did not agree but sent him to prison until he had paid all his debt.

His companions saw what happened.  They were indignant and so they went and reported everything to their lord.  Then the lord summoned his official and said, 'Wicked servant, I forgave you all that you owed when you begged me to do so.  Weren't you bound to have pity on your companion as I had pity on you?  The lord was now angry, so he handed his servant over to be punished, until he had paid his whole debt.'

JESUS added, 'So will MY heavenly FATHER do with you unless each of you sincerely forgive your brother or sister.'

When JESUS had finished this teaching, HE left Galilee and arrived at the border of Judea, on the other side of the Jordan River." - Matthew 18:21-19:1 

(The offenses we suffer from our companions are nothing compared with our offenses against GOD.  While GOD forgives all, we do not even give others enough breathing space.  GOD does not demand HIS rights, but we, in demanding them, behave like wicked servants [see Matthew 5:43].

This parable goes beyond personal problems.  The world needs, above everything else, the forgiveness of GOD, and those who want a more just society will not achieve it through accusations and hatred.

The parable helps us understand much better another verse in the Bible: Revenge is mine, says the LORD; I will pay each one according to his own conduct.  GOD will not demand an account regarding HIS own rights [what we owe HIM], but regarding the rights of the little ones who, unable to pay, were deprived of them.  HE will also demand an accounting regarding those who were sorry for their sins but were not forgiven by others.

The fourth Discourse of Matthew's Gospel ends with this parable on the duty to forgive.  The Church has not always been as holy as she should have been.  Yet nobody can deny that, at all times, in the Church the mercy of GOD has been preached and people have learned to forgive.)

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Living Together In The Church

"If your brother has sinned against you, go and point out the fault to him, when the two of you are alone; and if he listens to you, you have won back your brother.  If he doesn't listen to you, take with you one or two others, so that the case may be decided by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembled Church.  But if he does not listen to the Church, then regard him as a pagan, or a tax collector.

I say to you: whatever you bind on earth, heaven will keep bound; and whatever you unbind on earth, heaven will keep unbound." - Matthew 18:15-18 

(If your brother has sinned...  JESUS had told Peter before: Whatever you tie on earth will be tied in Heaven.  HE declares it now for the whole Church.  The believers must attempt to settle their suits among themselves, knowing that CHRIST is among them, as signified in HIS name Emmanuel: GOD-with-us.

The text of 18:15 is doubtful.  Perhaps it was written if your brother or sister has sinned, go... in which case it would refer to the effort of the Christian community to correct one who has gone astray.)  

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The Humble People

"Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah.  She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb.  Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry, said, 'You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  How is it, that the mother of my LORD comes to me?  The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy.  Blessed are you, who believed that the LORD's word would come true!'" - Luke 1:39-45 

(The angel's message has not left Mary alone with her problems.  The angel spoke of her elderly cousin, Elizabeth.  With her Mary will share her joy and her secret.  Mary, quite young [was she more than fifteen?], will learn from her many things that Joseph could not tell her.  What had been foretold to Zechariah will now be fulfilled: "Your son will be filled with the Holy Spirit while in the womb of his mother."

What is most important in history is not what is spectacular.  The Gospel prefers to draw our attention to life-filled events.

A few years later, Jewish crowds would go to John the Baptist looking for the word of GOD.  No one would wonder how he received the Spirit of GOD, and no one would know that a humble girl, Mary, put GOD's plan in motion on that Visitation Day.

Blessed are you who believed!  What is important is not that Mary is the mother of JESUS in the flesh, and this, JESUS will repeat [11:27].

Mary, who has become the Temple of GOD, communicates the Spirit--the Spirit of JESUS.)

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The Temple Tax

"While JESUS was in Galilee with the Twelve, HE said to them, 'The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands, and they will kill HIM.  But HE will rise on the third day.'  The Twelve were deeply grieved.

When they returned to Capernaum, the Temple tax collectors came to Peter and asked him, 'Does your master pay the temple tax?  He answered, 'Certainly.'

Peter then entered the house, but immediately JESUS asked him, 'What do you think, Simon?  Who pay taxes or tributes to the kings of the earth: their sons or the other people?'  Peter replied, 'The others.'  And JESUS told him, 'The sons, then, are tax-free.  But so as not to offend these people, go to the sea, throw in a hook and open the mouth of the first fish you catch.  You will find a coin in it, take it and let it pay for you and for ME'." - Matthew 17:22-27 

Peter And The Fish With Coin

(Several times JESUS announced HIS death: see 16:21; 20:17. Never did HE present it as a misfortune that might counteract HIS mission.  John will say that JESUS looked for it as the means for giving glory to HIS FATHER and reconciling humankind [John 17].  JESUS speaks of HIMSELF in the third person: the Son of Man, because HE looks at HIS destiny as an outsider.  This is the will of HIS FATHER, and HE is not concerned about HIMSELF.

All the Jews paid a tax for the maintenance of the Temple.

The collectors approach Peter as owner of the house where JESUS also lives.

JESUS observes the Law but takes this opportunity to give a hint as to who HE is: the collectors do not realize they are addressing "the Son."  Notice how the LORD has control over all creatures even fish and see also HIS intimate solidarity with Peter.

The coin mentioned was worth the Temple tax.  Matthew may have had a special interest for this story because at the time he wrote Christians of Jewish origins were wondering whether they should be still paying this tax.)

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Why Have The Jews Not Believed?

"I tell you sincerely in CHRIST, and my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit that I am not lying I have great sadness and constant anguish for the Jews.  I would even desire that I myself suffer the curse of being cut off from CHRIST, instead of my brethren:  I mean my own people, my kin.  They are Israelites whom GOD adopted, and on them rests HIS Glory.  Theirs are the covenants, the Law, the worship and the promises of GOD.  They are descendants of the Patriarchs and from their race CHRIST was born, HE who as GOD is above all distinctions.  Blessed be HE forever and ever:  Amen!" - Romans 9:1-5 

(Paul, being a Jew, shares the worries of the few Jews who have believed in CHRIST.  Why did the chosen people not recognize their Savior?  If they were a chosen nation, why were so few selected? 

 

It is the same worry of Catholic families when their children do not go to Church or when teenagers declare they have lost their faith.  It is the same uneasiness we feel in the course of a mission:  those who habitually go to Church are perhaps the hardest to lead to conversion and are the ones that most obstruct the evangelization of outsiders.

 

Faith is not transmitted in heritage from father to son, mother to daughter.  There have certainly been times and cultural systems where a whole nation followed the same religion and apparently shared the same faith.  The Book of the Acts shows how on several occasions the conversion of the head of the family brought about the baptism of the whole household.  Faith, however, will always be a grace of GOD.  In our days people have acquired complete autonomy and live in a world where all beliefs meet:  faith can no longer be a family possession.)

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Faith Can Move Mountains

"When they came to the crowd, a man approached JESUS, knelt before HIM and said, 'Sir, have pity on my son, who is an epileptic and suffers terribly.  He has often fallen into the fire, and at other times into the water.  I brought him to YOUR disciples, but they could not heal him.'

JESUS replied, 'O you people, faithless and misled!  How long must I be with you?  How long must I put up with you?  Bring him here to ME.'  And JESUS commanded the evil spirit to leave the boy, and the boy was immediately healed.

Later, the disciples approached JESUS and asked HIM privately, 'Why couldn't we drive out the spirit?'  JESUS said to them, 'Because you have little faith.  I say to you: if only you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could tell; that mountain to move from here to there, and the mountain would obey.  Nothing would be impossible for you.'" - Matthew 17:14-20 

(All things are possible for one who believes.  JESUS has gone back to the crowd and again HE meets with human unbelief.  The prayer of the child's father would be a model for all Christian prayer.  If we turn to GOD in prayer, it is because we have faith; and yet in doing this we discover the poverty and the fragility of our faith.

Why couldn't we drive out the spirit?  The apostles wonder: did JESUS not give them power over the demons?  They are not aware of their lack of faith and easily forget how far they are from their Master.  To them are directed the sharp words of JESUS: You, faithless people!  How many people think they are great believers when, in fact their faith has still not moved anything!).

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Whoever Chooses To Save His Life Will Lose It

"Then JESUS said to HIS disciples, 'If you want to follow ME, deny yourself.  Take up your cross and follow ME.  For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life, for MY sake, will find it.  What will one gain by winning the whole world, if he destroys his soul?  Or what can a person give, in exchange for his life?

Know, that the Son of Man will come, in the glory of HIS FATHER with the holy angels, and HE will reward each one according to his deeds.  Truly, I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death, before they see the Son of Man coming in HIS kingdom.'" - Matthew 16:24-28  

(Whoever chooses to save his life will lose it. JESUS draws attention to the great option of every human life: we cannot discover GOD; we cannot make a success of life without sacrificing it. All the rest is idle talk. The option terrifies us in the same measure that life for us seems promising. It is also the reason why marriage and family frighten many.

Christian freedom and happiness are found only in the joyous acceptance of the will of GOD which invites us to listen to HIS Son and follow HIM down the road and paths that HE traveled.)   

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Unless The Grain Dies!

"Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Those who love their life destroy it, and those who despise their life in this world keep it for everlasting life.

Whoever wants to serve ME, let him follow ME and wherever I AM, there shall MY servant be also.  If anyone serves ME, the FATHER will honor him." - John 12:24-26   

(Unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies. JESUS will die and the universal Church will be born.  JESUS allows HIS lifeless body to be laid in the earth; on rising from the tomb, HIS same body, now glorified, will also embrace the believers united to HIM.  The life that is now HIS will be communicated to all the children of GOD.

Unless the grain dies.  This is the law for all life that will be fruitful [Mark 8:34].  The first believers were already saying: "The blood of the martyrs is a seed.")

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The Faith Of The Canaanite Woman

"Leaving that place, JESUS withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  Now a Canaanite woman came from those borders and began to cry out, 'LORD, Son of David, have pity on me!  My daughter is tormented by a demon.'  But JESUS did not answer her, not even a word.  So HIS disciples approached HIM and said, 'Send her away: see how she is shouting after us.'

Then JESUS said to her, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.'

But the woman was already kneeling before JESUS and said, 'Sir, help me!'  JESUS answered, 'It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to the little dogs.'  The woman replied, 'It is true, sir, but even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master's table.'  Then JESUS said, 'Woman, how great is your faith!  Let it be as you wish.'  And her daughter was healed at that moment." - Matthew 15:21-28  

(The Jews usually looked down on pagans with marked contempt: they were the sons; the pagans were the dogs.  JESUS answered the afflicted woman repeating this well-known scornful saying.  HE said this to test the woman's faith: would she insist when it appeared that even GOD would reject her?)

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"JESUS Shows That True Purity Is That Of The Heart."

"Then, some Pharisees, and teachers of the law, who had come from Jerusalem, gathered around JESUS.  And they said to HIM, 'Why don't YOUR disciples follow the tradition of the elders?  For they, they don't wash their hands before eating?'

JESUS then called the people to HIM, and said to them, 'Listen and understand: What enters into the mouth does not make a person unclean.  What defiles a person is what comes out of his mouth.'

After a while the disciples gathered around JESUS and said, 'Do YOU know that the Pharisees were offended by what YOU said?'  JESUS answered, 'Every plant which MY heavenly FATHER has not planted shall be uprooted.  Pay no attention to them!  They are blind, leading the blind.  When a blind person leads another, the two will fall into a pit.'" - Matthew 15:1-2. 10-14 

(They don't wash their hands.  The Pharisees uphold something that is excellent and which we ourselves practice.  JESUS' vision, however, goes further: all these good customs and religious practices [feasts and meditations included] easily become a smoke screen, hiding the essential from us: a constant readiness to listen to GOD's call, a simple trust in HIS mercy which alone can save us.

Using only human criteria, human societies are not able to distinguish good from evil.

For the Jewish people, the worship of GOD was everything and they felt very much concerned about exactly who and what things were worthy of being part of this worship.  Thus, they made a distinction between the clean and the unclean.  JESUS shows that true purity is that of the heart. 

It could be that the code for correct behavior in our society and its numerous goodwill institutions be just a modern way of distinguishing the pure and the impure.  In the Church itself, in past centuries, there has been a tendency to attribute to sacred ministers a "purity" that reserved to them the handling of sacred things.  It is one of the reasons why in the Middle Ages Communion was not given in the hand, as had been the custom for over ten centuries.)

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First Miracle Of The Loaves

"On hearing this, JESUS set out secretly by boat for a secluded place.  But the people heard of it, and they followed HIM on foot from their towns.  When JESUS went ashore, HE saw the crowd gathered there and HE had compassion on them.  And HE healed their sick.

Late in the afternoon, HIS disciples came to HIM and said, 'We are in a lonely place, and it is now late.  YOU should send these people away, so they can go to the villages and buy something for themselves to eat.'

But JESUS replied, 'They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat.'  They answered, 'We have nothing here but five loaves and two fishes.'  JESUS said to them, 'Bring them here to me.'

Then HE made everyone sit down on the grass.  HE took the five loaves and the two fishes, raised HIS eyes to heaven, pronounced the blessing, broke the loaves and handed them to the disciples to distribute to the people.  And they all ate, and everyone had enough; then the disciples gathered up the leftovers, filling twelve baskets.  About five thousand men had eaten there besides women and children." - Matthew 14:13-21  

(The Bible says that from the mouth of GOD comes bread, and the Word that we need [Deuteronomy 8:3].  By the act of giving bread, JESUS demonstrates that HIS words are GOD's words.  GOD gives bread to HIS people [Exodus 16; Psalm 72:16; Psalm 81:17; Psalm 132:15; 147:14].

What comes from the mouth of GOD [Deuteronomy 8:3; Wisdom 16:26; Matthew 4:4].

Seen in the light of the Old Testament, this narration identifies JESUS as the Shepherd foretold by the prophets.

They sat in fresh pastures [Psalm 23] and they were all satisfied [Psalm 78:29].  The crowd seated for a meal is the image of the Reign when JESUS will unite all of humanity in the fraternal banquet of GOD [Luke 14:15].

Raising HIS eyes to heaven.  By using this gesture, rather than a prayer that saints or prophets might have said on this occasion, JESUS expresses HIS personal relationship with the FATHER.

JESUS is the bread needed by humanity [John 6].  GOD has set on this earth all that humanity needs for food and development, but if we do not know how to listen to the Word, we will not know how to solve the world's most urgent problem, the distribution of the riches of the earth.  Faith in GOD's promises is the only force with which to fight against egoism and unequal privileges, and it will eventually obtain food, peace, and freedom for all.

Because of this, JESUS had compassion for this crowd whose leaders had little concern for them.  Without bothering about food, this crowd sat listening to HIM while HE conveyed to them the word of GOD that liberates people from blindness and emptiness.  Then, being the Shepherd and the True Bread of Life, HE gave them food and distributed it.) 

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The Transfiguration Of JESUS

"Six days later, JESUS took with HIM Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain, where they were alone.  JESUS' appearance was changed before them: HIS face shone like the sun, and HIS clothes became white as snow.  Then suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with JESUS.

Peter spoke up and said to JESUS, 'Master, it is good for us to be here.  If YOU wish, I will make three tents: one for YOU, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'

Peter was still speaking, when a bright cloud covered them with its shadow; and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is MY Son, the Beloved, MY Chosen One.  Listen to HIM.'

On hearing the voice, the disciples fell to the ground, full of fear.  But JESUS came, touched them, and said, 'Stand up, do not be afraid!'  When they raised their eyes, they no longer saw anyone except JESUS.  And as they came down the mountain, JESUS commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man be raised from the dead." - Matthew 17:1-9  

(This manifestation of the transfiguration of JESUS is in fact one of the most important in the New Testament.  In the liturgy of oriental Churches, the feast of the Transfiguration holds a place of supreme importance.

Though not the summit, it is in fact the summary of all revelation.  Moses and Elijah, the spokesmen of the Law and the Prophets [in a word, of all the Old Testament] present the CHRIST of the Gospel to the apostles Peter, James and John, those who will be responsible for the preaching of the Gospel.

As Moses and Elijah were led by GOD to the Holy Mountain, to witness HIS glory [Exodus 33:18; 1 Kings 19:9], so the apostles are led apart by JESUS; they too climb the mountain and there JESUS manifests HIS glory to them.

JESUS had just announced HIS passion and HIS death: the day had come when the FATHER confirmed HIS end that was very near [Luke 9:31] and gave HIM a foretaste of HIS resurrection.  Moses and Elijah were the witnesses, they who, in a certain way, escaped the corruption of death [Deuteronomy 34:6; 2 Kings 2:11].

A cloud formed covering them in a shadow.  The cloud mentioned here is that which, in several episodes of the Scriptures, both indicates and hides the mysterious presence of GOD [Exodus 19 and 1 Kings 8:10].

Listen to HIM.  The apostles have been accompanying JESUS for more than a year, with misunderstanding increasing between HIM and the religious authorities of the people of GOD.  For them a question could arise: Is not JESUS mistaken?  Are not the certitudes of GOD's people on the side of the priests and scribes?

The FATHER HIMSELF intervenes, just as HE had done in the past for John the Baptist: Listen to HIM!  "Listen to HIM for HE is the Word made flesh" [John 1:14; Hebrews 1:1].  HE is the Prophet, and all the others speak only for HIM [Deuteronomy 18:17].

When JESUS worked miracles for the sick, and over the forces of nature, HE showed that the present order of the world is not permanent.  Now the curtains are partially opened: would that the apostles understood that the Son of Man, as JESUS calls HIMSELF, is close to HIS resurrection.  In a little while HIS fellow citizens will hang HIM on a cross.  In a little while, too, the FATHER will give HIM the glory that awaits HIM.  The shining cloud, the dazzling white clothes are external signs that indicate something of the mystery of JESUS: the day HE rises from among the dead, HIS human nature will be transformed and extended by divine Energies, so that HE may fill everything in everyone.)

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Harvest Song

"May GOD be gracious and bless us;

may HE let HIS face shine upon us;

that YOUR way be known on earth

and YOUR salvation, among the nations.

 

May the people praise YOU, O GOD;

may all the peoples praise YOU!

May the countries be glad and sing for joy,

for YOU rule the peoples with justice;

and guide the nations of the world.

May the peoples praise YOU, O GOD,

may all the peoples praise YOU!

The land has given its harvest;

GOD, our GOD, has blessed us.

May GOD bless us and be revered,

to the very ends of the earth."

- Psalm 67:2-8

(The occasion of this happy song is a successful harvest, but the psalmist can rise above selfish considerations.  The triumph of a good harvest--or industrial prosperity--should make one think of places, where the harvest fails.  GOD is the same GOD there, and man no less his image.  If GOD rules the whole world with justice, man must try to imitate HIM.  Ecumenism and economics are sometimes the same thing.  The blessing of the psalm takes us to the beginning of the letter to the Ephesians [Ephesians 1:3].  We can pray with this psalm, to give thanks to GOD for the goods of the earth.)

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"The Only Place Where Prophets Are Not Welcome Is His Hometown And In His Own Family."

"HE went to HIS hometown and taught the people in their synagogue.  They were amazed and said, 'Where did HE get this wisdom and these special powers?  Isn't HE the carpenter's son?  Isn't Mary HIS mother and aren't James, Joseph, Simon and Judas HIS brothers?  Aren't all HIS sisters living here?  Where did HE get all these things?'  And so they took offense at HIM.

JESUS said to them, 'The only place where prophets are not welcome is his hometown and in his own family.'  And HE did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of faith." - Matthew 13:54-58  

(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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Catching People!

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a big fishing net let down into the sea, in which every kind of fish has been caught. When the net is full, it is dragged ashore. Then they sit down and gather the good fish in buckets but throw the worthless ones away. That is how it will be at the end of time; the angels will go out to separate the wicked from the just and throw them into the blazing furnace, where they will weep and gnash their teeth.” – Matthew 13:47-50

Catching People!

(By speaking of the net, JESUS reminds us of the first activity of the Church must be mission: ‘to catch people’. Many of them surely will not persevere, but a Church that closes itself would die. They will throw them in the blazing furnace. – We shall be judged, and the plenitude of life offered to those who will be “in” GOD will have as counterpart the despairing lot of those who have refused life.)

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A Pearl Of Great Price

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, hidden in a field.  The one who finds it, buries it again; and so happy is he, that he goes and sells everything he has, in order to buy that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader, who is looking for fine pearls.  Once he has found a pearl of exceptional quality, he goes away, sells everything he has and buys it." - Matthew 13:44-46 

JESUS CHRIST, The Pearl

(The parables of the treasure and the pearl invite us not to let opportunities pass by, when the kingdom of GOD comes to us.

Some have been waiting for years for that word, or person or sign of hope that would give new meaning to their lives.  One day they found it.  Sometimes it was found through simple things: a forgiving word, a friendly smile, a first commitment offered to them and accepted.  Then they understood that this was the way to gain all they were waiting for, and they entered the kingdom happily.

The parable says: he buries it again.  Ordinarily it is GOD who hides the treasure again after having shown it to us, for it will be really ours when we have worked for it and persevered.

Everything must be sold.  We have divested ourselves of all those habits, pleasures... that occupy our hearts without filling them.  When trials come upon us like a frosty, icy night, we should not forget the treasure we have once seen, until we recover it.  Plato, the great pagan philosopher, said, "It is during the night that it is beautiful to believe in the light."

"The pearl" is, in a certain sense, CHRIST HIMSELF.  HE alone gives meaning to all the sacrifices of a Christian life.  These are not really "sacrifices," but the search for a love that has already been proven.)

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