GOD Uses Human Solidarity To Save Us

 "And because all those children share one same nature of flesh and blood, JESUS, likewise, had to share this nature.  This is why HIS death destroyed the one holding the power of death, that is the devil, and freed those who remained in bondage all their lifetime, because of the fear of death.

JESUS came, to take by the hand, not the angels but the human race.  So, HE had to be like HIS brothers and sisters, in every respect, in order to be the high priest, faithful to GOD and merciful to them, a priest, able to ask pardon, and atone for their sins.  Having been tested through suffering, HE is able to help those who are tested." - Hebrews 2:14-18 

(GOD uses human solidarity to save us.  CHRIST saves us through sharing flesh and blood, and human destiny.  In the same way, we are saved if we help in the liberation of the world, if we courageously accept our dependence on and solidarity with others.  To work side by side with others, to suffer and rejoice with them is a way of saving them.  We would like, at times, to escape our human condition and to be more independent: it seems to us that we would be better able to serve GOD, yet this dependence in the details of daily life is the means by which GOD wants us to take the human race by the hand.)

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The New World

 "The angels were not given dominion over the new world of which we are speaking.  Instead, someone declared in Scripture: What is man, that YOU should be mindful of HIM, what is the Son of Man that YOU should care for HIM?  For a while YOU placed HIM a little lower than the angels, but YOU crowned HIM with glory and honor.  YOU have given HIM dominion over all things.

When it is said that GOD gave HIM dominion over all things, nothing is excluded.  As it is, we do not yet see HIS dominion over all things.  But JESUS, who suffered death, and for a little while, was placed lower than the angels, has been crowned with honor and glory.  For the merciful plan of GOD demanded that HE experience death, on behalf of everyone.

GOD, from whom all come, and by whom all things exist, wanted to bring many children to glory, and HE thought it fitting to make perfect, through suffering, the initiator of their salvation.  So, HE who gives, and those who receive holiness, are one.  HE, HIMSELF, is not ashamed of calling us brothers and sisters, as we read: LORD, I will proclaim YOUR name to MY brothers; I will praise YOU in the congregation." - Hebrews 2:5-12 

(The new world.  Actually, the text says: the world to come.  This does not mean future times, or the end of the world, but the new and definitive times that began with the resurrection of CHRIST.

The new world is where the risen CHRIST is.  It is the homeland we are hoping for.  This new world has already come to us: a believer who lives in the Spirit constantly has experiences which are not of the earth even if in the beginning he is not aware of it.

All the history of JESUS is then both HIS and ours.  HE thought it fitting to make perfect through suffering the initiator of their salvation.  There is no other way to human liberation than the way of the cross.  Those who are eager to free others must be tested, some through opposition, others through indifference.  Suffering is a good teacher, and it tests the strength of our surrender.

It is on the cross of CHRIST that we must discover the love of the FATHER for HIS Son, since HE did not "condemn HIM" to suffer on earth, but rather, by way of suffering, HE called HIM to be the Savior and model for everyone.)

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JESUS Baptized By John

 "At that time, JESUS arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.  But John tried to prevent HIM, and said, 'How is it, YOU come to me?  I should be baptized by YOU!'

But JESUS answered him, 'Let it be like that for now; so that we may fulfill the right order.'  John agreed.

As soon as HE was baptized, JESUS came up out of the water.  All at once, the heavens opened and HE saw the Spirit of GOD come down, like a dove, and rest upon HIM.  At the same time, a voice from heaven was heard, 'This is MY Son, the Beloved; HE is MY Chosen One.'" - Matthew 3:13-17 

(In HIS baptism JESUS identifies HIMSELF with HIS people, more precisely with this world of "untitled" people who went to hear a call to conversion.  For HIM it is an occasion of deep religious experience recalling that of the great prophets.  What the voice says gives JESUS HIS mission.  HE will be Son and Servant of the FATHER [Psalm 2 and Isaiah 42:1].)

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The Ultimate Manifestation Of GOD's Presence

 "When JESUS was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, during the days of king Herod, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem.  They asked, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews?  We saw the rising of HIS star in the East and have come to honor HIM.'

When Herod heard this, he was greatly disturbed, and with him all Jerusalem.  He immediately called a meeting of all high-ranking priests and teachers of the law and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 

'In the town of Bethlehem in Judea', they told him, 'For this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will come a leader, one who is to shepherd MY people, Israel.'

Then Herod secretly called the wise men and asked them the precise time the star appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions, 'Go and get accurate information about the child.  As soon as you have found HIM, report to me, so that I, too, may go and honor HIM.'

After the meeting with the king, they set out.  The star that they had seen in the East went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.  The wise men were overjoyed on seeing the star again.  They went into the house, and when they saw the child with Mary HIS mother, they knelt and worshiped HIM.  They opened their bags and offered HIM their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.

In a dream they were warned not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their home country by another way." - Matthew 2:1-12 

(The general manifestation of GOD's presence in nature and its attendant beauty has sometimes referred to as "diaphany," a Greek word meaning "to appear through," but beyond and deeper than this diaphany is the "theophany" in the history of the people of GOD.  The "Epiphany" is the ultimate manifestation and is applied to the revelation of GOD's glory in JESUS of Nazareth who becomes the complete sign of this glory.  John's Gospel has worked out this theme best.  True wisdom is to seek, find, recognize, and adore GOD's real presence in the signs and events of our times.)

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Keep Yourselves From Idols

 "Through HIM we are fully confident that whatever we ask, according to HIS will, HE will grant us.  If we know that HE hears us whenever we ask, we know that we already have what we asked of HIM.

If you see your brother committing sin, a sin which does not lead to death, pray for him, and GOD will give life to your brother.  I speak, of course, of the sin which does not lead to death.  There is also a sin that leads to death; I do not speak of praying about this.  Every kind of wrongdoing is sin, but not all sin leads to death.

We know that those born of GOD do not sin, but the one who was born of GOD, protects them, and the evil one does not touch them.

We know that we belong to GOD, while the whole world lies in evil.

We know that the Son of GOD has come and has given us power to know the truth.  We are in HIM who is true, HIS Son JESUS CHRIST.  HE is the true GOD, and eternal life.

My dear children, keep yourselves from idols." - 1 John 5:14-21 

(I do not speak of praying about this.  This sentence is somehow short, John implies: "with the certainty that GOD will give life to the sinner."  The will of GOD remains a mystery, whatever be the confidence we have in HIM.

The whole world lies in evil.  As has already been mentioned, this world belongs to GOD who made it good.  Nevertheless, this world is not simply a building site wherein we work.  It is first the place where the evil one competes with GOD.  The evil one does not side with any group, atheist or materialist or whatever else, but everywhere transforms the best things into destroying idols--even among those looking for a more perfect life: keep yourselves from idols.  This warning of John at the end of this letter has special importance; it invites us to remain in the truth of the Word-of-GOD-made-man without allowing anything contrary to it, to enter.  For the Church this is a permanent temptation--as well as for every Christian community--to make itself the center of everything, so that what matters is to recruit and to last.  Then when institutions believe that unity is assured by increasing authority, political and financial support are sought, and mission is replaced with buildings.  There are a thousand ways of eluding what is provisional while the Spirit always feels more at ease with what is provisional.  In so doing the Christian community, the whole Church becomes a thick wall between GOD and humans, all the more becoming an "idol" in wishing to be holy, obeyed and infallible in all its decision.  The Word became flesh, and the Church can only be the sacrament of GOD if she remains weak and vulnerable.) 

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Three Complementary Aspects Of The Christian Experience, Which Are First Seen In JESUS HIMSELF

 "Who has overcome the world?  The one who believes that JESUS is the Son of GOD.

JESUS CHRIST was acknowledged through water, but also through blood.

Not only water, but water and blood.

And the Spirit, too, witnesses to HIM, for the Spirit is truth.

There are, then, three testimonies:

the Spirit, the water and the blood, and these three witnesses agree.

If we accept human testimony, with greater reason must we accept that of GOD, given in favor of HIS Son.  If you believe in the Son of GOD, you have GOD's testimony in you.

But those who do not believe, make GOD a liar, since they do not believe HIS words when HE witnesses to HIS Son.

What has GOD said?  That HE has granted us eternal life, and this life is in HIS Son.  The one who has the Son has life, those who do not have the Son of GOD do not have life.

I write you, then, all these things, that you may know, that you have eternal life, all you, who believe in the name of the Son of GOD." - 1 John 5:5-13 

(Verses 6-9 point out three complementary aspects of the Christian experience, which are first seen in JESUS HIMSELF.  John characterizes them with three words:

- water: water is the symbol of cleanliness and of new life.

- blood: the blood of the sacrifice, the painful atonement for sin, the blood of martyrs.

- Spirit: the uncontainable power that animates CHRIST's witnesses; the amazing creativity of the people and institutions that are rooted in faith.

These three witness to JESUS CHRIST and they also characterize Christian salvation.  We can easily see that they correspond to the three sacraments of baptism, eucharist and confirmation.

In this conclusion, John repeats what he said throughout the letter: you who believe, appreciate what you have.  Do not underestimate the step you took in accepting CHRIST.  Explore and look for the riches which are meant for you, and which are found in "HIM who loves us" [Revelation 1:5].) 

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The One Who Hates His Brother Is A Murderer

 "The one who hates his brother is a murderer, and, as you know, eternal life does not remain in the murderer.

This is how we have known what love is: HE gave HIS life for us.  We, too, ought to give our life for our brothers and sisters.

If anyone enjoys the riches of this world, but closes his heart when he sees his brother or sister in need, how will the love of GOD remain in him?  My dear children, let us love, not only with words and with our lips, but in truth and in deed.

Then, we shall know that we are of the truth, and we may calm our conscience in HIS presence." - 1 John 3:15-19 

(All murders and massacres spring from hatred and grudges.  When war suddenly devastates a country, it is due to the fact that many people were resentful toward others, and others, in even greater numbers, refused to make sacrifices to settle their difficulties and tensions.

The practice of love never weakens us as can happen with other forms of sacrifice done without love.  Rather, it transforms us into GOD's likeness, and we are no longer fearful or distrustful of HIM.)

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We Shall Be Like HIM

 "Beloved, we are GOD's children, and what we shall has not, yet, been shown.  Yet, when HE appears in HIS glory, we know, that we shall be like HIM, for, then, we shall see HIM as HE is.  All who have such a hope, try to be pure, as HE is pure." - 1 John 3:2-3 

(We shall be like HIM: sharing all that GOD is and somehow becoming GOD with GOD [see 1 Corinthians 13:13].  Those who now bear their lives of suffering with CHRIST will be transfigured like HIM [Mark 9:2-3; Colossians 3:4].  Then the universe will reach its goal, having the children of GOD as its center [Romans 8:19] or better, the New Creature.)

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Keeping The Commandment Of Love Is What Distinguishes GOD's Children

 "MY little children do not be led astray; those who do what is right are upright, just as JESUS CHRIST is upright.  But those who sin belong to the devil, for the devil sins from the beginning.

This is why the Son of GOD was shown to us, HE was to undo the works of the devil.

Those born of GOD do not sin, for the seed of GOD remains in them; they cannot sin, because they are born of GOD.

What is the way to recognize the children of GOD, and those of the devil?  The one, who does not do what is right, is not of GOD; so, too, the one who does not love his brother or sister." - 1 John 3:7-10 

(Keeping the commandment of love is what distinguishes GOD's children.

Most people are accustomed to thinking that the world is divided into two opposed factions.  Some see good people on the one hand, and bad people on the other.  Others see only liberals and conservatives.  Others see black and white.  John tells us what the dividing line between people: those who love and those who do not love.  Because believers are in the camp of those who love, they will be persecuted.  Their companions and compatriots will not forgive believers for not sharing their own hatred and sectarianism.)

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HIS Anointing (Spirit) Teaches You All Things

 "Who is the liar?  

The one who denies that JESUS is the CHRIST.

This is an antichrist, who denies both the FATHER and the Son.  The one who denies the Son is without the FATHER, and those who acknowledge the Son also have the FATHER.

Let what you heard, from the beginning, remain in you.  If what you heard from the beginning, remains in you, you too, will remain in the Son and in the FATHER.  And this is the promise HE, HIMSELF, gave us: eternal life.

I write this to you, thinking of those who try to lead you astray.

You are received from HIM, an anointing, and it remains in you, so you do not need someone to teach you.  HIS anointing teaches you all things.  It speaks the truth and does not lie to you; so remain in HIM and keep what HE has taught you.

And now, my children, live, in HIM, so that when HE appears in HIS glory, we may be confident, and not ashamed, before HIM when HE comes." - 1 John 2:22-28 

(You received from HIM an anointing, and it remains in you.  John not only speaks of the anointing of oil in baptism and confirmation.  "CHRIST" signifies precisely, "HE who is anointed," and this anointing was the presence in HIM of the Spirit of GOD, HIS FATHER.  John adds: "You cannot receive passively just any instruction in the Church, but you must discern whether the word of GOD is being faithfully transmitted."

HIS anointing [Spirit] teaches you all things.  In writing that, John had in mind the prophets who were the animators of the churches: through their inspired words the Spirit taught the community [see Acts 14:2 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19].  Today the Spirit also maintains us in the truth through the leaders of the community and those who teach but we are not dispensed from seeking by ourselves the meaning of the Word and discerning what others tell us.)

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