GOD In The Midst Of The Meek

"Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, O people of Israel!  Sing joyfully with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!

YAHWEH has lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away. YAHWEH, the King of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune.

On that day they will say to Jerusalem: Do not be afraid nor let your hands tremble, for YAHWEH your GOD is within you, YAHWEH, saving warrior.  HE will jump for joy on seeing you, for HE has revived HIS love.  For you HE will cry out with joy, as you do in the days of the Feast.

I will drive away the evil I warned you about, and you will no longer be shamed." - Zephaniah 3:14-18  

(The destruction on the Day of YAHWEH has left a Remnant in Zion.  This is the first time that those who wait for GOD are called poor.  It is not mainly a question of being economically poor, but rather of having the attitude of those who have nothing and are open to receive everything from GOD.  The word poverty formerly implied failure: now it will be the condition needed to seek GOD.  After that time, the "poor of YAHWEH" will mean all those in Israel who hope to find YAHWEH.  The Gospel, especially the Gospel of Luke, will proclaim the happiness of the poor [see Luke 6:20].

YAHWEH will be in Jerusalem to share HIS happiness with them.  The Holy GOD suddenly shows that HE is like a young man in love who is not concerned about social considerations.

Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; YAHWEH, the King of Israel, is with you; do not fear any misfortune.  In the Gospel of Luke, the same words are addressed to Mary at the Annunciation: "Rejoice, the LORD is with you.  Do not fear, Mary, you will bear the Savior" [Luke 1:28].)

    

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GOD Is The One Who Moves Us To Ask Something Of HIM.

"They came to Jericho.  As JESUS was leaving Jericho with HIS disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.  On hearing that it was JESUS of Nazareth passing by, he began to call out, 'Son of David, JESUS, have mercy on me!'  Many people scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder. 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'

JESUS stopped and said, 'Call him.'  So, they called the blind man, saying, 'Take heart!  Get up, HE is calling you!'  He immediately threw aside his cloak, jumped up and went to JESUS.

Then JESUS asked him, 'What do you want ME to do for you?'  The blind man said, 'Master, let me see again!'  And JESUS said to him, 'Go your way, your faith has made you well.'  And, immediately, he could see, and he followed JESUS along the road." - Mark 10:46-52  

(GOD is the one who moves us to ask something of HIM.  The blind man understands that if he lets this opportunity go by, there will not be another chance, which is why he shouts all the more while the rest try to silence him.

Son of David!  was a way of designating the Messiah.)

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Leaders--To Serve

"James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to JESUS and said to HIM, 'Master, we want YOU to grant us what we are going to ask of YOU.'  And HE said, 'What do you want ME to do for you?'  They answered, 'Grant us to sit, one at YOUR right hand and one at YOUR left, when YOU come in YOUR glory.'

But JESUS said to them, 'You don't know what you are asking.  Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized in the way I AM baptized?'  They answered, 'We can.'  And JESUS told them, 'The cup that I drink, you will drink; and you will be baptized in the way that I AM baptized; but to sit at MY right hand or at MY left is not mine to grant.  It has been prepared for others.'

On hearing this, the other ten were angry with James and John.  JESUS then called them to HIM and said, 'As you know, the so-called rulers of the nations behave like tyrants, and those in authority oppress the people.  But it shall not be so among you; whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you shall make himself slave of all.  Think of the Son of Man, who has not come to be served but to serve, and to give HIS life to redeem many.'" - Mark 10:35-45  

(JESUS feels full of courage and confidence, as HE HIMSELF walks ahead of them to Jerusalem, where HIS punishment awaits HIM.  Prompted by James' and John's request, HE tries to convince HIS followers that success in his kingdom does not consist in prestige and power, but in following the way of JESUS, their leader.

What makes a leader?  How should a leader be?  How do leaders act, the head of a team, of a family?  The heads of the state smile at crowds and embrace a child who renders them homage, but who serves and who is to be served?  JESUS has come to serve and HIS service to humanity will be HIS voluntary death: "HE made HIMSELF obedient, took the condition of a slave and died on the cross" [Philippians 2:8].

To drink the cup and to be baptized are figurative ways of describing the suffering and death of JESUS.)    

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The Reward For Those Who Follow JESUS

"Peter spoke up and said, 'We have given up everything to follow YOU.  JESUS answered, 'Truly, there is no one who has left house, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children, or lands, for MY sake, and for the gospel, who will not receive his reward.  I say to you: even in the midst of persecution, he will receive a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands in the present time; and, in the world to come, eternal life.  Do pay attention: many who now are the first will be last, and the last, first.'" - Mark 10:28-31 

(There is no one who has left house... These words of JESUS that we find again in Mathew 19:29 and Luke 18:29 have been given here a notable addition: with persecution.  Once the Gospel had been preached the Church began to suffer persecution: From the year 34, then again in 41 and 62 in Jerusalem, in 64 in Rome with the great persecution ordered by the emperor Nero.  During these persecutions Christians experienced the bonds that united them, often stronger than family relationships.  Hunted, obliged to hide, they found hundreds of brothers and sisters ready with houses to give them refuge.  JESUS does not only speak of reward in the next life.  Already in this world, in the midst of persecution, those who sacrifice themselves for the kingdom will find friendship, joy an human fulfillment far greater than anything they could have hoped for.)

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JESUS And The Rich MaN

"Just as JESUS was setting out on HIS journey again, a man ran up, knelt before HIM and asked, 'Good Master, what must I do to have eternal life?'

JESUS answered, 'Why do you call ME good?  No one is good but GOD alone.  You know the commandments: Do not kill; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not cheat; honor your father and your mother.'  The man replied, 'I have obeyed all these commandments since my childhood.'

Then JESUS looked steadily at him and loved him; and HE said, 'For you, one thing is lacking.  Go, sell what you have, and give the money to the poor; and you will have riches in heaven.  Then, come, and follow ME.'  On hearing these words, his face fell, and he went away sorrowful, for he was a man of great wealth." - Mark 10:17-22 

(He who comes to JESUS is a young man, according to Matthew [19:16].  Luke calls him an important man [18:18].

With deliberation JESUS asks him: Why do you call ME good?  As if JESUS is saying: "Do you not see that you are thirsty for GOD and that you will find HIM if you live with ME?"  

This man asks JESUS the way that leads to eternal life; but JESUS does not have any new commandment to teach.  In the Old Testament everything had already been said about what a person should do to win eternal life: by observing the commandments of justice and compassion.  Now JESUS proposes to him a new way and a new experience of liberty, through becoming HIS follower and imitator.

Sell what you have.  Happiness does not consist in leaving all one has, but in being free of it all in order to submit oneself to CHRIST.)

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Make Disciples Of All Nations

"As for the eleven disciples, they went to Galilee, to the mountain where JESUS told them to go.  When they saw JESUS, they bowed before HIM, although some doubted.

All authority has been given to ME in heaven and on earth.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.  Baptize them in the Name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.  I AM with you always, even to the end of the world." - Matthew 28:16-20  

(JESUS sent HIS apostles to evangelize the world.  The last apparition is related in a very simple way: no sudden appearance, no fear--no physical demonstration of the reality of JESUS.  What is important are the words of JESUS Master.

Although some doubted.  With this, Matthew sums up the last apparitions of JESUS.  Not all the disciples of JESUS [the Eleven and the rest] believed so quickly in the resurrection of JESUS.

Make disciples of all nations.  JESUS, following the example of Jewish teachers of HIS time, gathered around HIM a group of disciples who lived with HIM.  The teacher knew his disciples and the disciples knew the teacher by sharing everyday life.  The same holds true today: evangelization implies interpersonal sharing.

To evangelize means to help someone ponder his former experiences until he can recognize in the person of CHRIST, in HIS death and resurrection, the truth that lights up his own life.

Those who believe will be baptized in the one Name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT, the Three Persons CHRIST taught us about.  Of course, HE named them separately because the FATHER is not the SON and the SON is not the HOLY SPIRIT; in spite of that, the Three are the same GOD.  Upon entering the Church, the baptized will enter into communion with the FATHER, with the SON and with the HOLY SPIRIT.  The Church is, before anything else, communion.

See Acts 19:5 regarding baptism in the name of the LORD JESUS.

Teach them to observe all that I commanded you.  These instructions of JESUS have first place in Matthew's Gospel; they are in the five discourses, and we are to do the will of the FATHER just as JESUS has revealed it.

I AM with you always.  Here we find again the certitude which the name Emmanuel already expressed in 1:23: JESUS is GOD-with-us until the end of time.  The first-generation Christians thought that CHRIST would not delay in returning but at the time the Gospel was written, they already understood that history would continue; the nation of Israel rejected the salvation offered to her and only a minority believed.  JESUS was now committing HIMSELF to HIS apostles and to HIS Church and now began to build the Church of HIS apostles.

The Catholic Church is different from Protestant or Evangelical churches, because it was founded by the apostles of JESUS.  Only she feels obliged to remain united around the successors of the apostles, the bishops; this unity and continuity are at times hard to maintain, especially in situations where it would seem easier to form a new reformed community alongside her.  Obedience to the will of the FATHER is the means by which HE purifies and strengthens our faith.  JESUS is and remains "LORD" regarding the destiny of "HIS" Church.)

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Let The Children Come To ME

"People were bringing their little children to HIM to have HIM touch them, and the disciples rebuked them for this.

When JESUS noticed it, HE was very angry and said, 'Let the children come to ME and don't stop them, for the kingdom of GOD belongs to such as these.  Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of GOD like a child will not enter it.'  Then HE took the children in HIS arms and laying HIS hands on them, blessed them." - Mark 10:13-16 

(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 New Covenant

"The time is coming - it is YAHWEH who speaks - when I will forge a new covenant with the people of Israel and the people of Judah.  It will not be like the one I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt.  For they broke MY covenant although I was their LORD.

This is the covenant I shall make with Israel after that time: I will put MY Law within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their GOD and they will be MY people.

And they will not have to teach each other, neighbor or brother, saying: 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know ME, from the greatest to the lowliest, for I will forgive their wrongdoing and no longer remember their sin." - Jeremiah 31:31-34  

(Here we must underscore 31:31-34 where Jeremiah delivers his most famous prophecy.  During the bitter days which the Jewish people are experiencing, GOD reveals, and Jeremiah announces the New and eternal Covenant between GOD and HIS people.

I will make a new covenant.  This is likeable to escape saying that the Sinai Covenant which made Israel GOD's people, had become obsolete or insufficient.  GOD had bound HIMSELF to a family [Abraham's] which became a people under Moses' leadership.  And apparently HIS promises were more for the community than for individuals.

The expression the prophet uses, "a new covenant" does not mean that GOD is forsaking HIS former promises to Israel.  It clearly illustrates the characteristic of the covenant which GOD wants to establish between HIM and humanity through Israel.  This novelty is that of love, because true love is always fresh and new.  Although the people of GOD had broken the covenant, GOD who is always faithful, will respond by a gift, through HIS son, born of Mary.

They broke MY covenant.  Actually, this covenant between YAHWEH and Israel on Sinai had failed, through Israel's fault, not YAHWEH's.  But it is not a matter of renewing it as Joshua, Samuel, Hezekiah and Josiah had done so many times.  Nor is it a matter of making another one like it, since this old covenant had already proven its weakness: people are sinful and unable to escape from their sins.  Moreover, no laws, or human solidarity, or any form of education can bring GOD's grace to a nation or a collectivity and preserve them in the faith.  Only a personal accepting of the divine Truth makes one a true believer.  The true people of GOD cannot be confused with any people or human community: only those who are reborn will become part of GOD's people.

I will put MY Law in their hearts.  Now, Jeremiah knows the secret of the New Covenant.  For he is aware of the change which occurred in him when YAHWEH made him a prophet.  Then, he discovered an intimate relationship with GOD which is entirely different from a religion of mere practices.

I will make another covenant with Israel.  Jeremiah predicts the day when YAHWEH will reveal HIMSELF to all believers as HE had done with HIS great prophets.  The law will be in their hearts and the hand of GOD will keep them on the right path, as was the case with Jeremiah when he doubted.

I will forgive their sins.  A New Covenant will be achieved through the death of CHRIST on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.  In celebrating the Last Supper, JESUS says: "This cup is the New Covenant in MY blood" [Luke 22:20].  The author of the Letter to the Hebrews will develop the meaning of the New Covenant [see Hebrew 8:8 and 10:16]   

The Gospel of John will also clarify the meaning of they will all know ME: in the Christian faith, not everyone receives personal revelations, but everyone is guided by the FATHER to CHRIST in whom are found all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom.

Perhaps Jeremiah himself had not seen all the consequences of this revelation, but it certainly throws a decisive light on the history of the people of Israel.  We understand that GOD's teaching, HIS way of leading and instructing HIS people through events was a pedagogy, leading to a definitive truth to be given through CHRIST and through the gift of the Spirit.  It is understandable that JESUS and HIS apostles so often recalled the message of the prophets to justify the revolution of the Gospel and the birth of a Church rooted in the Jewish people but now independent of its national history.)

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Separate Churches

"John said to HIM, 'Master, we saw someone who drove out demons by calling upon YOUR name, and we tried to forbid him because he does not belong to our group.'  JESUS answered, 'Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in MY name can soon after speak evil of ME.  For whoever is not against us is for us." - Mark 9:38-40

(While JESUS prepares HIS apostles, whom HE wants to leave in charge of HIS Church, others preach the Gospel and expel demons.  In the same way nowadays, outside the Catholic Church, the Church of the apostles, others of diverse Christian denominations do apostolic work.

This evangelization outside the Church, at times against the Church, offers a challenge.  If others evangelize, it is perhaps because the Church does not reach a great number of people.  GOD wants others to do what we do not.  The proliferation of separate churches is for the Catholic Church a call to reform.

For the Church finds itself paralyzed for want of a true spirit of poverty and because of its massive structures which no longer allow simple people to find there the fresh life-giving air of the Gospel.

In addition, a missionary sense is often completely absent: too many Catholics are not ready to leave their own practices and little groups, with the end result that the Church is seemingly absent in a great number of places, especially in the urban masses and among immigrants.

With that how can we condemn those who by their missionary action allow a great number of people to meet JESUS CHRIST in fervent and welcoming communities, even if everything there is not authentic?

In saying this we do not forget the many riches of Christian tradition which have often been lost by those who left the Church, especially the certitude that everything human must be redeemed and saved, and the joyful and humble way of believing and doing the will of the FATHER of which Mary is the finest symbol.

Several things seem to us out of place in these churches: the miracle used as an instrument of propaganda, the pressures on the sick, the threatening with punishments from GOD...  Many enclose themselves in their cults, far from the "world," making ecumenism impossible, that is the dialogue and common seeking with other Christians.

There is, however, no room for envy or hatred: who can harm us if we do the work of GOD?)

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Wicked Ambitions

"What causes these fights and quarrels among you?  Is it not your cravings that make war within your own selves?  When you long for something you cannot have, you kill for it and when you do not get what you desire, you squabble and fight.  The fact is, you do not have what you want because you do not pray for it.  You pray for something and you do not get it because you pray with the wrong motive of indulging your pleasures.  You  adulterers!  Don't you know that making friends with world makes you enemies of GOD?  Therefore, whoever chooses to be the world's friend becomes GOD's enemy.

Can you not see the point of the saying in Scripture: 'The longing of the spirit HE sent to dwell in us is a jealous longing?  But GOD has something better to give, and Scripture also says, GOD opposes the proud but HE gives favor to the humble. Give in, then, to GOD; resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw close to GOD and HE will come close to you.  Clean your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you doubters.  Recognize your distress, be miserable and weep.  Turn your laughter into tears and your joy into sadness.  Humble yourselves before the LORD and HE will raise you up." - James 4:1-10

(You pray with the wrong motive.  James tells us that prayer obtains for us things that enable us to respond to GOD's plan.  Our prayers will not be heard if love for the world takes place of GOD in our hearts. 

What is the friendship with the world that prevents our being heard?  GOD asks us to love all the things HE created, viewing them as means of reaching HIM, and to reject what does not serve this purpose.  Loving the world is wishing for and clinging to things, without beyond them for GOD HIMSELF and the brothers and sisters that HE gave us.  It is adultery in the same sense as the phrase from the Gospel: "No one can serve two masters" [Matthew 6:24].  We cannot divide our love between GOD and the world; neither can we ask GOD to help us satisfy egotistical ambitions.)

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The Mother Of The Believers

"Near the cross of JESUS stood HIS mother, HIS mother's sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala.  When JESUS saw the Mother, and the disciple whom HE loved, HE said to the Mother, 'Woman, this is your son.'  Then HE said to the disciple, 'There is your mother.'  And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home." - John 19:25-27  

 

(At the moment of Man's fall, Eve was with Adam.  Now, at the moment of restoration, that is, the second creation, another woman is with the Son of Man (the Human One), the second Adam.  Mary has neither spouse nor son who can receive her and, for the Jews, a woman who remains alone would be considered cursed.  JESUS entrusts Mary to John and, also, John to Mary.  John testifies having heard both phrases.  Notice that he writes:  JESUS said to the Mother, and not, to HIS mother.  This is a new symbolic gesture of JESUS.  Mary will be the Mother of believers.

 

Through this last deed of JESUS, the Church discovered something about the mystery of the Christian life.  The believer is a member of a spiritual family.  As a child needs a father and a mother to grow normally so, too, does the believer need Mary and the heavenly FATHER.  This is an unchanging doctrine of the Church, which in no way attempts to make the creature equal with the Creator.

 

Not without reason has GOD given us a mother; if it is a misfortune for a child not to have known a mother, it is also a misfortune for a believer when his religion only expresses itself in masculine terms.  The believer who welcomes Mary to his home as did John is neither a fanatic nor a quibbler regarding faith.  There exists a form of humility, joy, interior peace and simple piety characteristic of those Catholics who have known how to open their doors to Mary without throwing out their Savior.)

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True Freedom

"You, brothers and sisters, were called to enjoy freedom; I am not speaking of that freedom which gives free rein to the desires of the flesh, but of that which makes you slaves of one another through love.  For the whole Law is summed up in this sentence: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  But if you bite and tear each other to pieces, be careful lest you all perish.

Therefore, I say to you: walk according to the Spirit and do not give way to the desires of the flesh!  For the desires of the flesh war against the spirit, and the desires of the spirit are opposed to the flesh.  Both are in conflict with each other, so that you cannot do everything you would like.  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 in a spiritual way.  Let us not be conceited; let there be no rivalry or envy of one another." - Galatians 5:13-26 

(If the Galatians are looking out for religious practices it is partly because they feel that faith should be expressed in a concrete way.  Here Paul tells them: if you are anxious for putting faith into life, look at your community life.  We, like them, are terribly accustomed to a double life: on one hand we proclaim 

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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A Prediction Of The Different Fates That Will Be Peter's And John's

"Peter looked back and saw that the disciple JESUS loved was following as well, the one who had reclined close to JESUS at the supper, and had asked HIM, 'LORD, who is to betray YOU?'  On seeing him, Peter asked JESUS, 'LORD, what about him?'  JESUS answered, 'If I want him to remain until I come, is that any concern of yours?  Follow ME!'

Because of this, the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die.  Yet JESUS did not say to Peter, 'He will not die,' but 'Suppose I want him to remain until I come back, what concern is that of yours?'

It is this disciple who testifies about the things and has written these things down, and we know that his testimony is true.  But JESUS did many other things; if all were written down, I think the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." - John 21:20-25 

(The Gospel ends with a prediction of the different fates that will be Peter's and John's.  Peter died a martyr's death in Rome in the year 66 or 67 A.D.; John was still living in the year 90 A.D.  He was the last of the witnesses of CHRIST and many thought he would not die until the LORD would come again: hence, the Gospel insists that JESUS had not made such a promise.

The last paragraph was placed there by those associated with John at the time of his death.)

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The Trial Before Festus

"Some days later King Agrippa and his sister Bernice arrived in Caesarea to greet Festus.  As they were to stay there several days, Festus told the king about Paul's case and said to him,

'We have here a man whom Felix left as a prisoner.  When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews accused him and asked me to sentence him.  I told them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over a man without giving him an opportunity to defend himself in front of his accusers.  So, they came, and I took my seat without delay on the tribunal and sent for the man.

When the accusers had the floor, they did not accuse him of any of the crimes that I was led to think he had committed; instead, they quarreled with him about religion and about a certain JESUS who has died but whom Paul asserted to be alive.  I did not know what to do about this case, so I asked Paul if he wanted to go to Jerusalem to be tried there.  But Paul appealed to be judged by the emperor.  So, I ordered that he be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar'." - Acts 25:13-21  

(Due process.   It is not the custom of the Romans to hand over a man without giving him an opportunity to defend himself in front of his accusers.)

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Ecumenism

"I pray not only for these, but also for those who through their word will believe in ME.  May they all be one, as YOU FATHER are in ME and I AM in YOU.  May they be one in US, so that the world may believe that you have sent ME.

I have given them the glory YOU have given ME, that they may be one as WE are one: I in them and YOU in ME.  Thus, they shall reach perfection in unity; and the world shall know that YOU have sent ME, and that I have loved them, just as YOU loved ME.

FATHER, since YOU have given them to ME, I want them to be with ME where I AM, and see the glory YOU gave ME, for YOU loved ME before the foundation of the world.

Righteous FATHER, the world has not known YOU, but I have known YOU, and these have known that YOU have sent ME.  As I revealed YOUR name to them, so will I continue to reveal it, so that the love with which YOU loved ME may be in them, and I also may be in them." - John 17:20-26  

(In our times, we have a better understanding of these past difficulties.  Many Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants are attempting to unite as believers.  At the same time, however, new problems have arisen within each Church.  Today Christians disagree and are split, not only in their political options, but also in their understanding of CHRIST and their views on how HIS message is best delivered in our time.

Ecumenism, that is, efforts to reconcile in truth and bring the Churches together, demands that we overcome the new dissensions that threaten the internal unity of the Church.  All of us must work so that the unity of all Christians may be realized as CHRIST desires, and by the means HE wants.  In any case, nothing can be done without obeying the truth and doing the truth.  In no way can we disregard Peter's charism of unity that is granted to Peter's successors.)

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The Journey Of GOD's People: Triumphant Hymn Of Thanks

 "Arise, O GOD, scatter YOUR enemies; let YOUR foes flee before YOU.

As smoke is blown by the wind, so blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish before YOU.

But let the righteous be glad and exult before GOD; 

let them sing to GOD and shout for joy.

Sing to GOD, sing praises to HIS name; open the way, to HIM who rides upon the clouds; YAHWEH is HIS name.  Rejoice in HIS presence.

FATHER of orphans and protector of widows--such is our GOD in HIS holy dwelling.

HE gives shelter to the homeless, sets the prisoners free; but keeps the rebels in their jail."

- Psalm 68:2-3. 4-5. 6-7

(This is the most picturesque--and obscure--of all the psalms.  In the liturgy, it particularly celebrates the Ascension of CHRIST.  And no wonder: it is a hymn fit for the climax victory of GOD, fighting for HIS people and there is a wild joy, running through it.  GOD rides on the clouds but marches across the desert too.  HE feeds HIS starving people.  HE takes willing captives with HIM to HIS holy place on the hill; HIS might is in the skies.  In the same way, the Son of Man whose chariot was a cloud [Daniel 7:13, cf. Matthew 26:64] went on foot through the wilderness and fed HIS people there [John 6].  When HE ascended, HE took a host of 'captives' with HIM [Ephesians 4:8], and HIS power is felt from heaven, where HE is seated at the FATHER's right hand.

This psalm is adequate to celebrate our liberation, as we journey toward the Promised Land.) 

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Matthias Elected

"It was during this time that Peter stood up in the midst of the community - about one hundred and twenty in all - and he said, 'Brothers, it was necessary that the Scriptures referring to Judas be fulfilled.  The Holy Spirit had spoken through David about the one who would lead the crowd coming to arrest JESUS.  He was one of our number and had been called to share our common ministry.

(We know that he bought a filed with the reward of his sin; yet he threw himself headlong to his death, his body burst open, and all his bowels spilled out.  This event became known to all the people living in Jerusalem and they named that field Akeldama in their own language, which means Field of Blood).

In the book of Psalms, it is written: Let his house become deserted and may no one live in it.  But it is also written: May another take his office.  Therefore, we must choose someone from among those who were with us during all the time that the LORD JESUS moved about with us, beginning with John's baptism until the day when JESUS was taken away from us.  One of these has to become, with us, a witness to HIS resurrection.'

Then they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Matthias.  They prayed: 'YOU know, LORD, what is in the hearts of all.  Show us, therefore, which of the two YOU have chosen to replace Judas in this apostolic ministry which he deserted to go to the place he deserved.'

Then they drew lots between the two and the choice fell on Matthias who was added to the eleven apostles. - Acts 1:15-26  

(Peter is acting here as head of the primitive Church.  The death of Judas has left a vacancy in the "college of apostles" whose twelve members bring to mind the twelve sons of Jacob.  Just as the Israel of old never accepted being deprived of one or many of its tribes, so too, Peter, will not permit the group of the Twelve to have one of its members amputated.

Peter will find a way to allow GOD to make known HIS choice.  We may be surprised today that such an important decision could have been made by casting lots.  Is this not a sort of washing one's hands of the decision-making process?  We must not forget that this episode is happening in a community whose religious culture welcomes signs from GOD.  They know the qualities they would want to see in the candidates and two are eligible.  Now the question is which one to choose?  They pray to GOD to make HIS decision known and promise to accept the outcome.  This election process, not excluding those used by the cardinals in conclave, where the real challenges to the Church have often been compromised by the dishonest voting of interested parties?

It is good to focus in this passage on the conditions which Peter laid down: To have followed JESUS from John's baptism until the day when HE was taken from us.  The Good News begins with the preaching of John and culminates with the ascension [Acts 13:14-31].  In this way Mark's is the typical gospel, Matthew and Luke have both added an introduction, the infancy narratives, while John makes use of a prologue to act as a kind of preface.  For each of the evangelists, it is the resurrection accounts that dominate their gospels and give them meaning.

Like on so many occasions in the Old Testament [Jacob, Samuel, David...] GOD again chooses the second and possibly even the simpler person: let us examine the "calling card" of the first: Joseph named Barsabbas, also known as Justus, while it is Matthias, without any other name or nickname, who is chosen by GOD.)

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They Were Baptized In The Name Of The LORD JESUS.

"While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came to Ephesus.  There he found some disciples whom he asked, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?'  They answered, 'We have not even heard that anyone may receive the Holy Spirit.'  Paul then asked, 'What kind of baptism have you received?'  And they answered, 'The baptism of John.'

Paul then explained, 'John's baptism was for conversion, but he himself said they should believe in the one who was to come, and that one is JESUS.'  Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the LORD JESUS.  Then Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came down upon them; and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.  There were about twelve of them in all.

Paul went into the synagogue and for three months he preached and discussed there boldly, trying to convince them about the Kingdom of GOD." - Acts 19:1-8  

(For three years, Paul wanted to evangelize Ephesus.  Ephesus was one of the most beautiful and largest cities in the empire.

Luke wanted to relate the baptism of these twelve disciples of John the Baptist. As we have just said they knew something of JESUS' teaching, but as for being his disciples, they lacked what was most important: they had not received the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit came down upon them.  We must not forget that in the beginning, the Christian language was limited.  We know that the Holy Spirit is much more than the manifestations that follow the laying on of hands.  So, we have such statements as: we have not heard that there is the Holy Spirit, while other texts state: that the Holy Spirit be received.  The laying on of hands is meant to confirm the change worked at baptism through the experience of the gifts of the Spirit [1 Corinthians 12:7].  Many Christians would be surprised today if they have never had this tangible experience of GOD.  Let us not say that these gifts are no longer useful or that such things do not happen today.  What is important, surely, is to believe and live one's faith rather than to feel it.  Such an experience, however, is often the shock that gives rise to a re-blossoming of our faith: it shows us that GOD is near, and HE is master of our inner self.   Perhaps our rationalist temperament and our Church life, mistrustful of all that is a personal expression, serves as a dampener of the gifts of the Spirit; perhaps it is rather the poverty of our commitment to JESUS.

They were baptized in the name of the LORD JESUS.  Are we to presume that in the beginning baptism was in the name of JESUS and not in the name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT?  It is not certain.

In the name of signifies by the power of; maybe the baptism in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the Holy Spirit was called the baptism in the name of JESUS to distinguish it from the baptism of John and the baptisms of other religions.  It is also possible that at the moment of receiving the water in the name of the Holy Trinity, the person baptized had to make a personal invocation in the Name of JESUS.  Possibly also in early times, baptism was given "in the Name of JESUS" and later the Church modified the formula in order to distinguish itself from groups that believed in JESUS but without recognizing HIM as Son of GOD, born of the FATHER.  There would be nothing to astonish us in such a change: the Church of the apostles had given the first formula; the same Church gave the second formula attributed to JESUS in Matthew 28:19.)

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Proclaim The Good News To All Creation

"Then HE told them, 'Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.  The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; the one who refuses to believe will be condemned.  Signs like these will accompany those who have believed: in MY name they will cast out demons and speak new languages; they will pick up snakes, and if they drink anything poisonous, they will be unharmed; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.'

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

(The Good News is the seed that will be planted in the world and will flourish, in its proper time, in every field of human endeavor.  Salvation is not a matter of saving isolated souls or individual beings.  The Gospel is to be proclaimed to all creation in all activities and acts of those who have been renewed by baptism.  They are to be the yeast that transforms human history.)

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The Way

 "After spending sometime there, he left and traveled from place to place through Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the disciples.

A certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived at Ephesus.  He was an eloquent speaker and an authority on the Scriptures, and he had some knowledge of the way of the LORD.  With great enthusiasm he preached, and taught correctly, about JESUS, although he knew only of John's baptism.  As he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, Priscilla and Aquila heard him; so, they took him home with them and explained to him the way more accurately.  As Apollos wished to go to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.  When he arrived, he greatly strengthened those who, by GOD's grace, had become believers, for he vigorously refuted the Jews, proving from the Scriptures that JESUS is the Messiah." - Acts 18:23-28  

(Paul does not stay in Ephesus, the capital of the province of Asia.  He is in a hurry to return, after two and a half years of mission.  He goes up to Jerusalem and returns to Antioch, which is the first and the main among the churches in the pagan world.  Paul goes there to rest after every journey.  The life of this large community, with years of experience, and the contact with its apostles, helped him to see what the future of the Church would be.

When he leaves again, Paul visits the churches established on his second mission.  This takes him several months, so he will only arrive at Ephesus in 54 A.D.  Meanwhile a church had been established there.

During Paul's absence, Aquila, Priscilla and others resumed the first contacts that he had established in the Jewish community.  An important success: the integration of Apollos who will be one of the most valued missionaries [1 Corinthians 3:6; 4:6; 15:12].  Apollos, we are told, knew something of The Way.  We have already met this term which denoted Christianity: not only a religion, nor only a faith or morale, but all that together and more.  Apollos, like the twelve men mentioned in 19:1-7, had probably been in Palestine when JESUS was already known there.  His teaching had not yet given rise to a movement nor made a stir equal to that resulting from John the Baptist's preaching, which was followed by baptisms and commitments.

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Paul Had Made A Vow

"One night, in a vision, the LORD said to Paul, 'Do not be afraid, but continue speaking and do not be silent, for many people in this city are MINE.  I AM with you, so no one will harm you.'  So, Paul stayed a year and a half in that place, teaching the word of GOD among them.

When Gallio was governor of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the court.  And they accused him, 'This man tries to persuade us to worship GOD in ways that are against the Law.'

Paul was about to speak in his own defense when Gallio said to the Jews, 'If it were a matter of a misdeed or vicious crime, I would have to consider your complaint.  But since this is a quarrel about teachings and divine names that are proper to your own law, see to it yourselves: I refuse to judge such matters.'  And he sent them out of the court.

Then the people seized Sosthenes, a leading man of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal; but Gallio paid no attention to it.

Paul stayed on with the disciples in Corinth for many days; he then left them and sailed off with Priscilla and Aquila for Syria.  And as he was no longer under a vow he had taken; he shaved his head before sailing from Cenchreae." - Acts 18:9-18  

(A vision: there are not many in this book.  Perhaps Paul was wondering whether it would not be better for him to retire for a time as he had already done and as JESUS had advised in case of persecution [Matthew 10:23].   The devil increases the opposition when someone sets foot on his field: in this center of corruption, grace would triumph.

The Jews brought him before the court.  Here we have a new example of the problems Paul met in the great Roman centers.  Different peoples co-exist, and many conflicts are settled within communities according to their proper laws and customs.  Gallio, the Roman governor, has no wish to be dragged into the jungle of traditions and disputes, especially with the Jews who enjoyed religious privileges within the Roman Empire.

The Jews are furious in seeing the success of Paul that relies on the Word of GOD, that is, on their own sacred books.  They fear that the boldness of the Christians might stir a reaction from the pagans, in which case they, too, would be the victims.

They seized Sosthenes - and beat him.  A sure bet would be that this Sosthenes, a Jew, is the one mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:1.  Even if he already acted as a prominent member of the Christian group, it is doubtful whether the Jews would have attacked him before the authorities: most probably it was a group of bystanders falling on a well-known Jew.

Paul had made a vow.  He shaved his head as it was said in Numbers 6:5. All that Paul had written to turn converted pagans away from the Jewish Law did not prevent him, a Jew, from feeling at ease with the traditional forms of Jewish piety.  He knew that faith alone saves, but it was his wish to mark with a vow some secret agreement he had made with the LORD.)

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JESUS In Our Midst

"A little while, and you will see ME no more; and then a little while, and you will see ME.

Some of the disciples wondered, 'What does HE mean by, 'A little while, and you will not see ME'?  And why did HE say, 'I go to the FATHER'?' And they said to one another, 'What does HE mean by 'a little while'?  We don't understand.'

JESUS knew that they wanted to question HIM; so, HE said to them, 'You are puzzled because I told you that in a little while you will see ME no more, and then a little while later you will see ME.

Truly, I say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.  You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy." - John 16:16-20 

(JESUS is in our midst, but to be aware of HIS presence requires faith.  HE HIMSELF said: "You will see ME because you live, and I also live [14:19]."  It is not important that we feel HIS presence, what matters is to persevere in HIS ways.  In order to attain mature faith, it is necessary that we be deprived of the consolation of HIS presence for more or less prolonged periods: a little while, and you will see ME no more.

For HIS disciples this happened for the first time at the moment of HIS death; later they saw HIM risen from the dead.  This will come true for us at the end of time, when we discover the glorious CHRIST whom we have awaited in faith.  No one should feel overconfident about feeling HIS presence, for example, after a conversion.  When everything seems easy, we should not look down on those who find it hard to believe or who have never felt the presence of GOD.  In a little while, perhaps, the LORD will leave us in darkness.

After JESUS rose from the dead, a real companionship would be established between HIM and HIS disciples: HE would speak to them clearly of the FATHER; they would ask in HIS name.)

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The SPIRIT Will Take What Is MINE, And Make It Known To You

"I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now.  When he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into the whole truth.

He has nothing to say of himself, but he will speak of what he hears, and he will tell you of the things to come.  He will take what is MINE and make it known to you; in doing this, he will glorify ME.  All that the FATHER has is MINE; because of this I have just told you, that the Spirit will take what is MINE and make it known to you." - John 16:12-15 

(The Acts of the Apostles records how the Spirit worked in the first disciples of JESUS.  Before granting miraculous powers, the Spirit gave them joy, peace and mutual love, as well as inner certainty that JESUS had risen and was among them.

The Spirit guides missionaries: he gives them the power to perform miracles; he gives to believers the knowledge of GOD, new capacities for working, healing, serving and shaking up a sinful world.  Throughout history the Spirit would raise up people of faith, martyrs, prophets, and through them transform the world.  In this way the Savior, seemingly defeated, would be justified, and it becomes evident that the loser is Satan, who already has been condemned.  The evil spirit, great director of the worldly show, is displaced and his influence limited.  A new force, which is the Spirit, orients history and guides us towards the total truth.)

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What Is The Path Of Righteousness?

"But now I AM going to the One who sent ME, and none of you asks ME where I AM going; instead, you are overcome with grief, because of what I have said.

Believe ME, it is better for you that I go away, because as long as I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.  But if I go away, I will send HIM to you, and when HE comes, HE will vindicate the truth before a sinful world; and HE will vindicate the paths of righteousness and justice.

What is the world's sin, in regard to ME?  Disbelief.  What is the path of righteousness?  It is the path I walk, by which I go to the FATHER; and you shall see ME no more.  What is the path of justice?  It is the path on which the prince of this world will always stand condemned." - John 16:5-11  

(Starting from the day of Pentecost, the Spirit began to act in the Church, thus showing that HE was the Spirit of CHRIST.  The unbelieving Jews thought that GOD was with them, but in reality, HIS Spirit did not act among them.  So, it was clear that they had sinned [16:9] for not believing in CHRIST.

What is the path of righteousness?  The righteous One is CHRIST, and the righteous persons are those who believe in HIM without seeing HIM.

The Acts of the Apostles records how the Spirit worked in the first disciples of JESUS.  Before granting miraculous powers, the Spirit gave them joy, peace, and mutual love, as well as inner certainty that JESUS had risen and was among them.

The Spirit guides the missionaries; HE gives them the power to perform miracles; HE gives to believers the knowledge of GOD, new capacities for working, healing, serving and shaking up a sinful world.  Throughout history the Spirit would raise up people of faith, martyrs, prophets, and through them transform the world.  In this way the Savior, seemingly defeated, would be justified; and it becomes evident that the loser is Satan, who already has been condemned [verse 11].  The evil spirit, great director of the worldly show, is displaced and his influence limited.  A new force, which is the Spirit, orients history and guides us towards the total truth.)

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The Spirit Will Come

"From the FATHER, I will send you the Spirit of truth.  When this Helper has come from the FATHER, HE will be MY witness, and you, too, will be MY witnesses, for you have been with ME from the beginning." - John 15:26-27  

(The FATHER, the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT.  In making us children of HIS FATHER, JESUS enables us to discover the intimate mystery of GOD.  In GOD there is communion among the three persons: the FATHER, the SON and their common SPIRIT.

We speak of their common Spirit, because JESUS said both: The FATHER will give you another Helper [14:16] and: The Helper which I will send you [15:26].  Now HE says: HE will take what is MINE and tell it to you: everything that the FATHER has is also MINE [16:15].

"The Spirit" is not a poetic figure:  it is Someone.  This has already been commented on [John 7:37; 14:1].

Starting from the day of Pentecost, the Spirit began to act in the Church, thus showing that HE was the Spirit of CHRIST.  The unbelieving Jews thought that GOD was with them, but in reality, HIS Spirit did not act among them.  So, it was clear that they had sinned [16:9] for not believing in CHRIST.)

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GOD-Love Is The Source Of Love

"My dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from GOD.  Everyone who loves, is born of GOD and knows GOD.

How did the love of GOD appear among us?  GOD sent HIS only Son into this world, that we might have life, through HIM.

This is love: not that we loved GOD, but that, HE first loved us and sent HIS Son, as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:7-10  

(Here we have the beginning of the third part of the letter:  GOD-Love is the source of love and faith.

GOD is love.  The supreme revelation, characteristic of the Christian faith.  Other religions know of a GOD who is good and compassionate: no other religion has known that the dynamism of love moves the entire creation and that its source lies in GOD-Love. 

In this beautiful text John insists on the inseparability of love of GOD and love of our neighbor.  We all know this, but sometimes we might wonder why it is so.  John gives us the paramount reason; love comes from GOD.  If we can love GOD, it is because GOD loved us first; if we love each other, it is because GOD's love extends among us.

John also links love of GOD and faith in GOD: a true Christian believer is somebody who begins by "believing in GOD's love, and that GOD is love.

HE first loved us: through HIS eternal predestination [Ephesians 1:4], the sending of HIS Son and through HIS sacrifice [Romans 5:8].  If we are authentically loving, we never feel superior nor that we have merits, as do those who boast of their good works.  We simply realize that the love of GOD works through us.

The lives of those who dedicate themselves lovingly to serving the abandoned, the sick, the elderly, and those no longer useful to society are justified and so are the lives of those who withdraw from ordinary life to dedicate themselves more totally to a more intimate love of GOD.)

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The Hostile World

"If the world hates you, remember that the world hated ME before you.  This would not be so if you belonged to the world, because the world loves its own.  But you are not of the world since I have chosen you from the world; because of this the world hates you.

Remember what I told you: the servant is not greater than his master; if they persecuted ME, they would persecute you, too.  If they kept MY word, they keep yours as well.  All this they will do to you for the sake of MY name because they do not know the ONE who sent ME." - John 15:18-21  

(In spite of JESUS' having returned to HIS FATHER to initiate a more effective and universal presence among humankind, Satan continues to act with the power he has usurped.  The hatred of those who belong to Satan is directed against the believers and the Church.  Such helpers of Satan are called in John's Gospel: the world.

Believers are destined to be hated by the world.  It often happens that when a person begins to live in a more Christian and responsible way, she meets with opposition and hatred from her own family.  No one knows what has aroused the hatred, but the devil does, who moves everything to discourage us.

Even in the Church we find those who are of the world and believe that they are serving GOD when they persecute the true disciples of CHRIST.  Some who identify themselves with what they consider "the interests of the Church" can even persecute, and at times with malice, those who are Gospel-minded.  In reality they know neither JESUS nor HIS FATHER.

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