Why Look For The Living Among The Dead?

"On the Sabbath the women rested according to the commandment, but the first day of the week, at dawn, the women went to the tomb with the perfumes and ointments they had prepared.  Seeing the stone rolled away from the opening of the tomb, they entered, and were amazed to find that the body of the LORD JESUS was not there.

As they stood there wondering about this, two men in dazzling garments suddenly stood before them.  In fright the women bowed to the ground.  But the men said, 'Why look for the living among the dead?  You won't find HIM here.  HE is risen.  Remember what HE told you in Galilee, that the Son of Man had to be given into the hands of sinners, to be crucified, and to rise on the third day.'  And they remembered JESUS words.

Returning from the tomb, they told the Eleven and all the others about these things.  Among the women, who brought the news, were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James.  But however much they insisted, those who heard did not believe the seemingly nonsensical story.  Then Peter got up and ran to the tomb.  All he saw, when he bent down and looked into the tomb, were the linen cloths, laid by themselves.  He went home wondering." - Luke 24:1-12 

The Ascension Of JESUS CHRIST

(The LORD JESUS: with this expression, not found in the rest of the Gospel but very much in use in the early church, Luke shows us that the Risen JESUS has entered a kind of existence which is different from that of HIS mortal life.  Let us remember the following:

     1)  None of the Gospels describe the Resurrection of JESUS: it was an event that could not be seen.

     2)  The apostles' preaching about the risen JESUS is based on two facts: the empty tomb and the appearances.

     3)  Before the Gospels were written, Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, in the year 57, gave a list of JESUS' appearances [1 Corinthians 15:3].

     4)  Although the four Gospels agree on the essentials, there are, nevertheless, differences as to the order of the appearances and the place where they occurred.  Luke does not mention appearances in Galilee.  Matthew gives the impression that all that was important took place in Galilee, and that the Ascension took place there as well.  Paul speaks first of an appearance to Peter and does not mention the appearance to Mary Magdalene.  An in-depth study of the texts sheds some light on these discrepancies: they did not want to reveal everything, and at times preferred to modify details of the place or the chronology to fit the demands of their book and for the purpose of teaching.

     5)  As for JESUS' ascension, it was not a "trip" to heaven; HE was already "in heaven," in the sense that HE shared the glory of GOD from the moment of HIS resurrection.  The Ascension is simply the last of HIS appearances.)

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Through HIS Punishment, We Are Made Whole

"It is now when MY servant will succeed;

HE will be exalted and highly praised.

Just as many have been horrified

at HIS disfigured appearance:

'Is this a man?  HE does not look like one,'

so will nations be astounded,

kings will stand speechless,

for they will see something never told,

they will witness something never heard of."

- Psalm 52:13-15

(It is the fourth and last song of the Servant of YAHWEH; it is here that the prophet, known as the "second Isaiah," proclaims HIS whole message, and it is perhaps the last word of the Old Testament referring to Redemption.  The prophet delivers to Israel the meaning of trials and shows what will be its mission.  Israel has been placed at the center of the world history.  It will have no rest until the other nations have discovered through its sufferings the only true GOD.  The only title of Israel is to be GOD's servant, and it will not reach glory nor be saved before its mission has brought death.

Israel then, would necessarily be the victim, and, if GOD was to send a Savior, HE too would be a victim.)

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You Are Proclaiming The Death Of The LORD Until HE Comes

"This is the tradition of the LORD that I received, and, that, in my turn, I have handed on to you; the LORD JESUS, on the night that HE was delivered up, took bread and, after giving thanks, broke it, saying 'This is MY body which is broken for you; do this in memory of ME.'  In the same manner, taking the cup after the supper, HE said, 'This cup is the new Covenant, in MY blood.  Whenever you drink it, do it in memory of ME.'  So, then, whenever you eat of this bread and drink from this cup, you are proclaiming the death of the LORD, until HE comes." - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 

(You are proclaiming the death of the LORD until HE comes.  All the Eucharists celebrated around the world each day and every minute of the day, remind us that the death of CHRIST fills up the time until HIS coming.

History cannot cease, nor civilization be stagnant as happened in past centuries.  Not only does technical progress force us to advance, but also the requirements of justice springing from the death of the innocent [and here GOD is the innocent] destroy the established order.  JESUS' death does not allow the world to rest or have peace.  The Church reminds us of the death of CHRIST, not to preserve the past, but to draw from this unique event new energy for both reconciling and condemning.)

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YAHWEH Has Opened My Ear

"The LORD YAHWEH has taught me

so I speak as HIS disciple

and I know how to sustain the weary.

Morning after morning HE wakes me up

to hear, to listen like a disciple.

The LORD YAHWEH has opened my ear.

I have not rebelled,

nor have I withdrawn.

I offered my back to those who strike me,

my cheeks to those who pulled my beard;

neither did I shield my face

from blows, spittle and disgrace.

I have not despaired,

for the LORD YAHWEH comes to my help.

So, like a flint I set my face,

knowing that I will not be disgraced.

He who avenges me is near.

Who then will accuse me?

Let us confront each other.

Who is now my accuser?

Let him approach.

If the LORD YAHWEH is my help,

who will condemn me?

All of them will wear out like cloth;

the moth will devour them.

- Psalm 50:4-9

(Here is the third song of GOD's servant.  "Who is the prophet talking about, himself or another?" [Acts 8:34].  Actually the servant could be as in 49:1 the faithful minority, but it could also be, perhaps, the prophet himself, or who knows, a "Prophet" who is to come?  The author refuses to choose between servant and servants.

Former prophets met with the same opposition.  Moses had to endure a rebellious people; Jeremiah had been persecuted and imprisoned [see Jeremiah 20:7 and 37].  On the basis of these examples, we see a profile and mission of the perfect servant of YAHWEH.  This will be JESUS, but every one of HIS prophets can apply all these words to himself or herself.

Note the beginning of the poem.  The Servant will be able to transmit the word and to encourage on behalf of GOD because he himself listens every morning and keeps his ears open.  To sustain those who are tired, we must be taught by GOD: the true prophet is a person of prayer, open to the spirit of GOD.  "No one but the spirit of GOD knows the secrets of GOD... and through HIM we understand what GOD in HIS goodness has given us" [1 Corinthians 2:11-12].)  

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YAHWEH Called Me From My Mother's Womb

"Listen to me, O islands,

pay attention, people from distant lands.

YAHWEH called me from my mother's womb;

HE pronounced my name before I was born.

HE made my mouth like a sharpened sword.

HE hid me in the shadow of HIS hand.

HE made me into a polished arrow

set apart in HIS quiver.

HE said to me, 'You are Israel, MY servant,

Through you I will be known.'

'I have labored in vain,' I thought,

and spent my strength for nothing.'

Yet what is due me was in the hand of YAHWEH,

and my reward was with my GOD.

I am important in the sight of YAHWEH,

and my GOD is my strength.

And now YAHWEH has spoken,

HE who formed me in the womb to be HIS servant,

to bring Jacob back to HIM

to gather Israel to HIM.

HE said: 'It is not enough 

that you be MY servant,

to restore the tribes of Jacob,

to bring back the remnant of Israel.

I will make you the light of the nations,

that MY salvation will reach to the ends of the earth.'"

- Isaiah 49:1-6

(Here we find the second Song of GOD's Servant.  Who is speaking in these verses?  They are the Judean exiles at Babylon [some years later they will be called Jews].  And it is not a lamentation but rather a thanksgiving to GOD who has chosen them in a very special way for a unique mission.

The hope and the future of Israel have been entrusted to them, not to those remaining in the motherland.  Soon they will return and gather the remnant of the tribes of Jacob, which means not only their kins in the ex-kingdom of Judah, but also the other in the northern kingdom.

From that moment on the dream of a final gathering of the whole people of GOD both of enters the Scriptures, and the Gospel will announce that this goal will be achieved through and in CHRIST: John 11:52.

But there is more, for GOD wants this small group of exiles to bring to the nations the light of salvation.  This marks the opening of the times of mission.  The Jews will be the messengers of the only GOD and of HIS law in the world.  Those who welcome CHRIST will call on the pagans to the faith and Spirit will be bestowed to them [Galatians 3:14].  A humiliated people will be YAHWEH's hidden arrow, HIS definitive weapon: through them GOD will unbare HIS madness which is wiser than human wisdom [1 Corinthians 1:21].

YAHWEH called me from my mother's womb.  These were Jeremiah's words [1:5].  All that follows can be interpreted both of the believing minority or of the one who fully lives a prophetic vocation.  Is the servant a single person, or is he a people of prophets?  The apostles of JESUS quickly understood that the present text applied first to HIM.  HE is the Word and the two edged sword [Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 19:15].

Paul in turn will take for himself these verses: Galatians 1:15; Acts 13:47; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 12:8.  This double interpretation, personal and collective, should not surprise us for the unique Savior is never a lonely savior.  JESUS wanted to be identified with those who believe, who suffer and persevere to prepare for the salvation of the world.)

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First Song Of The Servant Of YAHWEH

"Here is MY servant whom I uphold,

MY chosen one in whom I delight.

I have put MY spirit upon HIM,

and HE will bring justice to the nations.

HE does not shout or raise HIS voice.

Proclamations are not heard in the streets.

A broken reed HE will not crush,

nor will HE snuff out the light

of the wavering wick.

HE will make justice appear in truth.

HE will not waver or be broken 

until HE has established justice on earth;

the islands are waiting for HIS law.

Thus says GOD, YAHWEH,

who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread the earth and all that comes from it,

who gives life and breath to those who walk on it:

I, YAHWEH, have called YOU for the sake of justice;

I will hold YOUR hand to make YOU firm;

I will make YOU as a Covenant to the people,

and as a light to the nations,

to open eyes that do not see,

to free captives from prison,

to bring out to light those who sit in darkness."

- Isaiah 42:1-7

(Here is the first of the songs of the Servant of YAHWEH.  The other poems of the Servant are in 49:1; 50:4; 52:13.

The servant is at times Israel, in other passages it is the minority of the faithful, conscious of their vocation, who try to struggle against the indifference of the majority.  It would also signify the prophet [or prophets] who share with the faithful the word of GOD.

In different passages of the Gospel JESUS assures HIS disciples that they are the "sons of the prophets," and the Apostles, in their turn would understand that the Servant after all and before all others, is JESUS [Matthew 12:8; Acts 3:13; 4:27].  JESUS, Servant of HIS FATHER and Son of HIS maidservant [Psalm 116:16 and Luke 1:38].)

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"No One But The Spirit Of GOD Knows The Secrets Of GOD..."

"The LORD YAHWEH has taught me

so I speak as HIS disciple

and I know how to sustain the weary.

Morning after morning HE wakes me up

to hear, to listen like a disciple.

The LORD YAHWEH has opened my ear.

I have not rebelled,

nor have I withdrawn.

I offered my back to those who strike me,

my cheeks to those who pulled my beard;

neither did I shield my face

from blows, spittle and disgrace.

I have not despaired,

for the LORD YAHWEH comes to my help.

So, like a flint I set my face,

knowing that I will not be disgraced."

- Isaiah 50:4-7

("Who is the prophet talking about, himself or another?" [Acts 8:34].  Actually the servant could be as in 49:12 the faithful minority, but it could also be, perhaps, the prophet himself, or who knows, a "Prophet" who is to come?  The author refuses to choose between servant and servants.

Former prophets met with the same opposition.  Moses had to endure a rebellious people; Jeremiah had been persecuted and imprisoned [see Jeremiah 20:7 and 37].  On the basis of these examples, we see a profile and mission of the perfect servant of YAHWEH.  This will be JESUS, but every one of HIS prophets can apply all these words to himself or herself.

Note the beginning of the poem.  The servant will be able to transmit the word and to encourage on behalf of GOD because HE HIMSELF listens every morning and keeps HIS ears open.  To sustain those who are tired, we must be taught by GOD: the true prophet is a person of prayer, open to the spirit of GOD.  "No one but the spirit of GOD knows the secrets of GOD... and through HIM we understand what GOD in HIS goodness has given us" [1 Corinthians 2:11-12].

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The Jewish Nation's "Original Sin" Was Its Division

"You will then say to them: Thus says YAHWEH:  I AM about to withdraw the Israelites from where they were among the nations.  I shall gather them from all around and bring them back to their land.  I shall make them into one people on the mountains of Israel;  and one king is to be king of them all.  They will no longer form two nations or be two separate kingdoms, not will they defile themselves again with their idols, their detestable practices and their sins.  I shall free them from the guilt of their treachery; I shall cleanse them; and they will be for ME a people, and I shall be GOD for them.  MY servant David will reign over them, one shepherd for all.  They will live according to MY laws and follow and practice MY decrees.  They will settle in the land I gave to MY servant Jacob where their ancestors lived.  There, they will live forever, their children and their children's children.  David, MY servant, will be their prince forever.

I shall establish a Covenant of peace with them, an everlasting Covenant.  I shall settle them; and they will increase; and I shall put MY Sanctuary in their midst forever.  I shall make MY home at their side; I shall be their GOD and they will be MY people.  Then the nations will know that I AM YAHWEH who makes Israel holy, having MY Sanctuary among them forever.'" - Ezekiel 37:21-28 

(The Jewish nation's "original sin" was its division since Solomon's death.

In the restored Israel the division would be removed and healed; there would be one people and one shepherd [see John 10:16].

Even after the exiles came back from Babylon, Israel understood that she had to gather her children who had emigrated all over the world.  JESUS, likewise, intended to gather all the scattered children of GOD [John 11:52], since HE did not come for the Jews alone, but for all those who do not belong to the flock also [John 10].

If  we reflect on this extensive mission of JESUS' disciples, it becomes evident that the word "assemble" does not mean to gather together all the nations into one, or impose on them the same institutions.  For them it is a matter of forming one living body where all that is human and the uniqueness of each one may flourish.  Such a unity is a gift of GOD: to have reached it would mean that we have arrived at the end of history.

Meanwhile, to truly become the New People of GOD, the Church must be one even in its visible structure.  To become divided is to revert to the sin of Jeroboam.)

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The FATHER Is In ME, And I In The FATHER

"The Jews then picked up stones to throw at HIM; so JESUS said, 'I have openly done many good works among you, which the FATHER gave me to do.  For which of these do you stone ME?

The Jews answered, 'We are not stoning YOU for doing a good work, but for insulting GOD; YOU are only a man, and YOU make YOURSELF GOD.'

The JESUS replied, 'Is this not written in your law: I said, you are gods?  So those who received this word of GOD were called gods, and the Scripture is always true.  What then should be said of the one anointed, and sent into the world, by the FATHER?  AM I insulting GOD when I say, 'I AM the Son of GOD'?

If I AM not doing the works of MY FATHER, do not believe ME.  But if I do them, even if you have no faith in ME, believe because of the works I do; and know that the FATHER is in ME, and I in the FATHER.'

Again they tried to arrest HIM, but JESUS escaped from their hands.  HE went away again to the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John had baptized, and there HE stayed.

Many people came to JESUS, and said, 'John worked no miracles, but he spoke about YOU, and everything he said was true.'  And many in that place became believers." - John 10:31-42 

(In the Scriptures angels are sometimes called sons of GOD, and JESUS remarks that the rulers are called gods.  Because of this, JESUS did not like to be proclaimed Son of GOD.  HE speaks forcefully in saying: the FATHER is in ME, and I in the FATHER: equal to equal [verse 38].  At the same time that HE stresses HIS divine power [verses 15, 18, 29, 38], HE also affirms HIS total dependence on the FATHER.  In this we recognize GOD the Son.)

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Father Of A Multitude

"Abram fell face down and GOD said to him, 'This is MY Covenant with you; you will be the father of a multitude of nations.  No longer will you be called Abram, but Abraham, because I will make you the father of a multitude of nations.  I will make you more and more famous; I will multiply your descendants; nations shall spring from you, kings shall be among your descendants.  And I will establish a covenant, an everlasting Covenant between MYSELF and you and your descendants after you; from now on I will be your GOD and the GOD of your descendants after you, for generations to come.  I will give to you and your descendants after you the land you are living in, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession and I will be the GOD of your race.'

GOD said to Abraham, 'For your part, you shall keep MY covenant, you and your descendants after you, generation after generation.'" - Genesis 17:3-9 

 

(Abram means venerated father, and Abraham: father of a multitude.  In changing the name of HIS servant, GOD enables him to begin a new life and to really become what his new name expresses.  JESUS will proceed in the same way with the first leader of HIS church [John 1:42].)

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