Tombs Were Opened And Several Holy People Who Had Died Were Raised To Life!

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

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

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

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

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

Then the name of YAHWEH will be declared in Zion, and HIS praise in Jerusalem,

when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship HIM." 

- Psalm 102:16-23

(The LORD indeed freed those condemned to death when JESUS cried out again in a loud voice and gave up HIS spirit [Matthew 27:50].  At that time, 'tombs were opened and several holy people who had died were raised to life' [Matthew 27:52].  Therefore, unlike the Psalmist wo seems very hurt and afflicted, let us rejoice and give thanks and book our place in heaven.)

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The Foundation Of Faith

"Indeed, what we taught you about the power, and the return of CHRIST JESUS our LORD, was not drawn from myths or formulated theories.  We, ourselves, were eyewitnesses of HIS majesty, when HE received glory and honor from GOD, the FATHER, when, from the magnificent glory, this most extraordinary word came upon HIM: 'This is MY beloved Son, this is MY Chosen One.'  We, ourselves, heard this voice from heaven, when we were with HIM on the holy mountain.

Therefore, we believe most firmly in the message of the prophets, which you should consider rightly, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the break of day, when the Morning Star shines in your hearts." - 2 Peter 1:16-19 

(What we taught you... was not drawn from myths or formulated theories.  Faith is not based on reasons and theories.  we believe in what the apostles saw and in the prophets' words.  It is true that through the centuries the understanding of the consequences of faith has developed, situating it within the realities of life, there has also been a constant effort to express what faith is in the language of our day.  Nevertheless we continue holding and believing the mystery of CHRIST in the way the apostles believed and understood it.)

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Put On The New Self

"I say to you, then, and with insistence I advise you, in the LORD: do not imitate the pagans, who live an aimless kind of life.  Their understanding is in darkness, and they remain in ignorance, because of their blind conscience, very far from the life of GOD.  As a result of their corruption, they have abandoned themselves to sensuality, and have eagerly given themselves to every kind of immorality.

But it is not for this, that you have followed CHRIST.  For, I suppose, that you heard of HIM, and received HIS teaching, which is seen in JESUS HIMSELF.  You must give up your former way of living, the old self, whose deceitful desires bring self-destruction.  Renew yourselves, spiritually, from inside, and put on the new self, or self, according to GOD, that is created in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:17-24 

(The old self and the new self.  This image of Paul opposes two kinds of life that co-exist in every society and in a certain sense, in each of us.  Conversion has not installed us in a state of perfection; even if we are at peace with GOD in a very real sense [Romans 5:1] unity is not in us.  We experience temptation and struggle; our decisions both small and great lead us in one of two directions, either the old self hopelessly ruined and a slave of selfishness, or a person transfigured by love.

The self according to GOD.  GOD created Man in HIS image, but the one who is truly this image is the risen CHRIST, conqueror of sin and of death.  Here, as elsewhere in Scripture, Man is both CHRIST and humanity at the same time, and it is each one of us at our place in the 'Body."  all that we admire in CHRIST is also for our benefit.

The white garment that adults put on at baptism denotes the change of life that they are beginning.  The renewal may also take place after a retreat or when GOD unexpectedly makes us abandon a routine Christian life devoid of ambition.  Then we put on CHRIST with discovered faith.

Paul immediately points out some of the moral requirements of this daily renewal: frankness, sobriety, cleanliness of language and imagination.  Christian faith does not allow us to live in a carefree way, as did the oriental religions in the time of Paul.  There much was said about renaissance and knowledge of mysteries, but nothing about the slavery of sex and the evil of social life.

Old self, new self correspond with other expressions of Paul: "according to the flesh" or "according to the Spirit" [Romans 8:5]; "children of darkness" or "children of light" [Ephesians 5:8]; "slaves of sin" or "persons free in CHRIST" [Galatians 5:1].)

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John The Baptist Beheaded

"At that time, the reports about JESUS reached king Herod.  And he said to his servants, 'This man is John the Baptist.  John has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in John.'

Herod had, in fact, ordered that John be arrested, bound in chains and put in prison, because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.  For John had said to Herod, 'It is not right for you to have her as your wife.'  Herod wanted to kill him but he did not dare, because he feared the people, who regarded John as a prophet.

On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced among the guests; she so delighted Herod that he promised under oath to give her anything she asked for  The girl, following the advice of her mother, said, 'Give me the head of John the Baptist, here, on a dish.'

The king was very displeased, but because he had made his promise under oath, in the presence of his guests, he ordered it to be given to her.  So he had John beheaded in prison, and his head brought on a dish and given to the girl.  The girl then took it to her mother.

Then John's disciples came, took his body and buried it.  Then they went and told JESUS." - Matthew 14:1-12 

(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 Scriptures 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, and 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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HE Works With The Power Of The Spirit

"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 returns home in the company of John's followers who become HIS own disciples [John 1:35] and HE performs HIS first sign in Cana [John 2:1].  This miracle launches HIS ministry.  From Capernaum, where JESUS lives in the house of Simon and Andrew, near the lake, JESUS begins to preach in the synagogues of Galilee [Mark 1:35] and HIS words impress people because HE works with the power of the Spirit, namely, HE speaks with authority and HIS miracles confirm HIS works.

HE began teaching in the synagogues.  JESUS does not begin by preaching to the crowds who know nothing of HIM; instead, for months HE makes HIMSELF known in the synagogues.)

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At The Potter's House

"This is the word of YAHWEH that came to Jeremiah: 'Go down to the potter's house and there you will hear what I have to say.'

So I went to the potter's house and found him working at the wheel.  But the pot he was working on was spoiled in his hands, so he reworked it all over again into another pot that suits his desire.

Meanwhile YAHWEH sent me HIS word, 'People of Israel, can I not do with you what this potter does?  As clay in the potter's hand so are you in MY hands." - Jeremiah 18:1-6 

(In several parts of the Scriptures, the comparison with the potter serves to show that GOD is absolute master and directs the lives of all according to HIS will: individuals as well as nations [see Isaiah 29:16 and Romans 9:20].  Here the same comparison is used to provide another teaching which complements the first: namely that we are free.)

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The Treasure And The Pearl

"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 

(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 to divest 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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Do Not Break YOUR Covenant With Us!

"...This you will say to them: Let my eyes shed tears night and day without ceasing!  For with a great wound has the virgin daughter of my people been wounded, a most grievous wound.

If I go into the country, I see those slain by the sword.  If I enter the city I see the ravages of famine.  For the prophet and the priest did not understand what was happening in the land.'

Have YOU then rejected Judah forever?  Do YOU abhor Zion?  Why have YOU wounded us and left us with no hope of recovery?

We hoped for salvation but received nothing good; we waited for healing, but terror came!

YAHWEH, we know our wickedness and that of our ancestors, and the times we have sinned against you.

For YOUR name's sake do not despise us; do not dishonor the throne of YOUR glory.  Remember us.  Do not break YOUR Covenant with us!

Among the worthless idols of the nations, are there any who can bring rain, or make the skies send showers?

Only in YOU, YAHWEH our GOD, do we hope, for it is YOU who do all this." - Jeremiah 14:17-22 

(Jeremiah appears weak and bitter, as the one who does not give YAHWEH's answer.  A true prophet is not accepted by HIS own people whereas those who provide opium for the people are praised.)

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The Mustard Seed And The Yeast

"JESUS offered them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.

It is smaller than all other seeds, but once it is fully grown, it is bigger than any garden plant; like a tree, the birds came and rest in its branches.'

HE told them another parable, 'The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast that a woman took, and hid in three measures of flour, until the whole mass of dough began to rise.'

JESUS taught all these things to the crowds by means of parables; HE did not say anything to them without using a parable.  This fulfilled what was spoken by the Prophet: I will speak in parables, I will proclaim things kept secret since the beginning of the world." - Matthew 13:31-35 

(With the parable of the mustard seed JESUS shows us that the kingdom of GOD must be a sign; it has to be something very noticeable in the world.

Any spiritual aspiration, cultural innovation or revolutionary movement must be expressed concretely, through one or several institutions, to make it a clearer and more visible entity.  Likewise JESUS projects HIS Church as the bearer [not the owner] of the kingdom of GOD.  Church means: 'Assembly of those called together.'  Two of the characteristics of this Church are indicated here:

- first it must be very visible and fruitful for the world, like a tree giving shade to birds;

- secondly, it must be immersed in human reality.

Believers are not to separate themselves from those who do not believe, for they the yeast of the world.

JESUS does not want an "invisible Church," that is an emotional fellowship and spiritual communion among all those in the whole world who believe in HIM.  HE wants a gigantic tree [in another place JESUS says: a city built on a hill], so that everyone can recognize that the seed was good and full of life.  We need organized Christian communities, a hierarchy...  Nevertheless the believers are not to enclose themselves in their chapels or little communities or to spend all their energies working for "their" Church.  They must be useful and fruitful in the world together with all people of goodwill.

Let them be yeast for the dough, not small separate and finer dough.  The yeast transforms human history, not by bringing all people into the Church, but by infusing into human activity the spirit that gives life to humankind.)

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The Multiplication Of Loaves

"A man came from Baal-shalishah bringing bread and wheat to the man of GOD.  These were from the fist part of the harvest, twenty loaves of barley and wheat.  Elisha told him, 'Give the loaves to these men that they may eat.'

His servant said to him, 'How am I to divide these loaves among one hundred men?'  Elisha insisted, 'Give them to the men that they may eat, for YAHWEH says: 'They shall eat and have some left over.'  So the man set it before them; and they ate and had some left, as YAHWEH had said." - 2 Kings 4:42-44 

(We should compare the multiplication of the loaves with the two multiplications at the hand of JESUS; they are related in very similar ways and, yet, each has a different meaning [see especially John 6].)

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