The Defenders Of The Faith

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

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

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

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

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

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What Gift Is Worthy Of Our GOD, Our King?

"Sing to YAHWEH a new song,

sing to YAHWEH, all the earth!

Sing to YAHWEH, praise HIS name;

proclaim HIS salvation, day after day.

Recall HIS glory among the nations,

tell all the peoples HIS wonderful deeds.

How great is YAHWEH and worthy of praise!

Above all gods, HE is to be feared.

For all other gods are worthless idols,

but YAHWEH is the one who made the heavens."

- Psalm 96:1-5

(What can we bring to GOD, the LORD of the world?  What gift is worthy of our GOD, our King?  Before anything else we bring HIM praise, adoration and delighted recognition of what HE is.  We proclaim the glory of the Creator, on behalf of all creation, and we wish our praise to resound throughout the whole of creation.

The psalmist suggests that we 'bring gifts.'  If we do it with a sincere heart, then all our gifts of prayer and worship and good deeds and trust and faith and mercy and kindness and devotion will be accepted with love, and in HIS love we will forever stay.

More than on the splendor of the universe, human society is founded on justice that glorifies GOD: there is joy in creation when GOD establishes HIS kingdom among us.  Yes, joy of the universe, until then devastated by our exaggerated ambitions.  Joy of nations that have discovered why they exist!

As we continue to express our desire for the reign of GOD to come to the world, we can pray with this psalm.)

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Will You Also Go Away?

"After hearing this, many of JESUS' followers said, 'This language is very hard!  Who can accept it?'

JESUS was aware that HIS disciples were murmuring about this, and so HE said to them, 'Does this offend you?  Then how will you react when you see the Son of Man ascending to where HE was before?  It is the spirit that gives life, not the flesh.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.  But among you there are some who do not believe.'

From the beginning, JESUS knew who would betray HIM.  So HE added, 'As I have told you, no one can come to ME unless it is granted by the FATHER.'

After this many disciples withdrew and no longer followed HIM.  JESUS asked the Twelve, 'Will you also go away?'  Peter answered HIM, 'LORD, to whom shall we go?  YOU have the words of eternal life.  We now believe and know that YOU are the Holy One of GOD.'" - John 6:60-69 

(This language is very hard.  How could JESUS' listeners believe that HE, the "Son of Joseph,"  had come from GOD?  And today how can we believe that we need the Eucharist?  JESUS tells us why HE came: The Son of GOD came down to us, so that later HE would ascend to where HE was before.  HE came from GOD to communicate to us the very life of GOD and then to bring us to the bosom of GOD [John 14:12].

The truth is that by CHRIST's resurrection, our world has already started its renewal.  For when the Son of Man entered the glory of HIS FATHER, HE carried on HIS shoulders the whole of creation that HE wanted to renew and consecrate.  Clothed in our humanity, the Son of GOD has ascended to where HE was before: the first of our race has achieved full union with GOD.

Although, to all appearances, life goes on as before, we believe that the renewed world has been activated.  The Spirit is at work within gigantic disturbances that continually agitate and shake the whole of humanity.  CHRIST is invincibly consecrating this world.  HE enables humanity to arrive at maturity by means of innumerable crises and deaths that prepare for a resurrection.

JESUS' listeners could not understand the mystery of the Son of GOD and HIS humiliations.  JESUS wanted to dispossess HIMSELF of HIS divine glory by becoming human and dying like a slave [see John 1:14 and Philippians 2:6], so that later the FATHER would enable HIM to ascend to where HE came from.  It is likewise a test of our faith to believe that GOD continually works among us in our world.  In spite of our unresponsiveness, GOD still loves us; the Church is so unworthy, yet GOD uses it to fulfill HIS plan; history is so destructive, yet it is preparing us for the fulness of the kingdom.

It is the spirit that gives life, not the flesh.  JESUS spoke of giving us HIS flesh, but this should not be understood as a continuation of the Jewish religion, in which the meat of sacrificed animals was eaten.  In Hebrew culture, flesh and blood denote "the world below," where humankind moves and where one has no access to communication with GOD.  The Eucharist is different.  This is the body, or flesh, of the risen CHRIST transformed by the Spirit, which acts in us spiritually and brings us into communion with GOD.

LORD, to whom shall we go?  Many of JESUS' followers left but, in the name of those who remained, Peter pledged his fidelity [see Matthew 16:13].)

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The Coming Age Of Peace And Justice

"Would, that I hear GOD's proclamation,

that HE promise peace to HIS people,

HIS saints--lest they come back to their folly.

Yet, HIS salvation is near to those who fear HIM,

and HIS glory will dwell in our land.

Love and faithfulness have met;

righteousness and peace have embraced.

Faithfulness will reach up from the earth

while justice bends down from heaven.

YAHWEH will give what is good,

and our land will yield its fruit.

Justice will go before HIM,

and peace will follow along HIS path."

- Psalm 85:9-14

(This psalm, written when the Israelites had returned from captivity in Babylon, adopts the most universal terms of the human vocabulary: liberty, life, joy, salvation, love, justice, peace, and happiness.  This return of the exiled Jews, however, was only one step toward authentic liberation.  Nothing is definitive and each phase in the realization of GOD's plan, leads us to another stage.  GOD's people are forever being called to go further ahead.  Even the actual reign of the risen CHRIST and the work of salvation accomplished by the Church, are only an image of the eternal kingdom.  GOD loves our earth.  When we feel troubled and discouraged by what is ugly around us, let us come back to the declaration of this psalm: YOU have favored YOUR land, O LORD; justice bends down from heaven; glory will dwell in our land.  Salvation comes from GOD, but is brought by a man, CHRIST, freely welcomed by a woman in the name of humanity.  With the Incarnation, it is not possible to believe in GOD, without believing in humankind.)

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You Will See The Heavens Opened!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A New Heart

"I will make known the holiness of MY great name, profaned among the nations because of you; and they will know that I AM YAHWEH, when I show them my holiness among you.

For I will gather you from all the nations and bring you back to your own land.  Then I shall pour pure water over you and you shall be made clean--cleansed from the defilement of all your idols.  I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.  I shall remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  I shall put MY spirit within you  and move you to follow MY decrees and keep MY laws.  You will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you shall be MY people and I will be your GOD." - Ezekiel 36:23-28 

(I shall give you a new heart.  Many think it impossible to change the human heart.  Because some have no hope of changing human beings, they accept people as they are, preferring to overlook mediocrity and sinfulness.  Others become bitter about everything and everyone.

The new heart is precisely what GOD offers in this text, quite similar to Jeremiah 31:31 and Ezekiel 11:19.  The experience of the Jewish people showed that human beings  are weak and unable to follow the commandments.  Yet if an individual knows GOD personally, to the point of sharing intimately in GOD's life, is there no possibility of change and renewal?

This is the meaning of the word conversion.  To be converted means to come back to GOD after having been away from HIM.  First, there is a change that takes place in the heart, that is to say, in the innermost part of the human being.  Then, there is a change of mentality and attitude.  In fact, it is GOD who converts people, by loving them, attracting them and giving them HIS Spirit, which transforms them into new beings.  I will take away your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  This will be the new Covenant.

Here may be seen the difference between Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  Ezekiel has been given a pastoral task from GOD: he had to form over long years those who were to rebuild Israel.  Ezekiel  is preparing the near future.  I will bring you back to your land: how often Ezekiel will repeat this.  He is in the line of Moses; after him, Ezekiel is one who had to lead the people of Israel.  His duties as a pastor prevented him from seeing that a new heart would mean a radical change in the history of Israel: even if the Jews reentered their country, the time of their kingdom had passed and their national hopes would no longer matter.  Jeremiah, on the contrary, who did not bear the same responsibility, lived the tragedy to the full, and in such moments could see that the history of Israel--GOD's people on GOD's earth--was nearing its end: the Gospel had to come.)

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To The GOD Of Glory And Compassion

"Alleluia!

Praise, O servants of YAHWEH,

praise the name of YAHWEH!

Blessed be the name of YAHWEH

now and forever!

From eastern lands to the western islands,

may the name of YAHWEH be praised!"

- Psalm 113:1-3

(The psalmist urges the people to offer praise to the ALMIGHTY LORD of heaven and earth.  GOD calls them HIS friends, raising them up to HIS own height.

What distinguishes GOD from humans is not the infinity of HIS creation, but HIS way of being with us, HIS preference for what many despise.  GOD likes to choose poor instruments, to achieve HIS great deeds of grace.

Our GOD does not remain isolated in heaven.  HE has become one of us, identified with those who are helpless.  With the present psalm, let us exalt the Name of the LORD, great and sublime.)

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It Is Easier For A Camel To Go Through The Eye Of The Needle!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ezekiel's Wife Dies

"The word of YAHWEH came to me in these terms, 'Son of man, I AM about to suddenly take from you the delight of your eyes, but you are not to lament or weep or let your tears flow.  Groan in silence and do not mourn for the dead; wear your turban, put on your sandals, do not cover your beard or eat the customary food of mourners.'

I spoke to the people in the morning and my wife died that evening.  The next morning I did as I had been commanded.  Then the people said to me: 'Explain to us the meaning of your actions.'  I said to them, 'The word of YAHWEH came to me in these terms: 'Say to Israel: I AM about to profane MY Sanctuary, your pride, the delight of your eyes for which you long.  The sons and daughters you left behind will also fall by the sword, but you will do as I have done: you will not cover your beard or eat the customary food of mourners; you will keep your turbans on your heads and sandals on your feet.  You will not lament or weep.  Instead, because of your sin, you will waste away and groan among yourselves.  Ezekiel will be a sign for you.  Do as he did; and when this happens, you will know that I AM YAHWEH.'" - Ezekiel 24:15-24 

(Once again, the prophet uses his own situation to announce the fall of Jerusalem which will lose its wealth and its inhabitants.

The prophet's personal trial in his marriage can be compared to similar occurrences of other prophets.  The prophets discover that GOD is the true Spouse.  GOD's passionate and faithful love for HIS people is the model for married love.  Since prophets become the mouthpiece and the representative of GOD, all that they do become a sign.  Thus, they cannot seek a happy marriage as long as Israel, YAHWEH's bride, turns her back on her GOD.

And so, before Jeremiah, another prophet, Hosea, only knew the suffering of the betrayed husband in his home and he had to constantly forgive his adulterous wife [Hosea 3:1].  Jeremiah will have neither wife nor children; it is not fitting for him to marry at the very time the first covenant is being destroyed.  Later, neither John the Baptist, nor the apostle John, nor Paul will marry: this will become a sign.  Thus, they will help us understand that they only live for the coming marriage of CHRIST and HIS glorified Church, of which marriage is only an image.)  

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Wisdom Is The Image Of The Son Of GOD

"Wisdom  has built her house

set upon seven pillars;

she has slaughtered her beasts,

prepared her wine and laid her table.

Next, she sent her servants to call

from the central square of the city,

'Pass by here, you who are fools.'

To the senseless she says,

'Come, eat and drink

of the bread and wine I have prepared.

Give up your foolishness and you will live;

take the straight path of discernment.'"

- Proverbs 9:1-6

(We will easily discover the image of CHRIST in these few verses.  Wisdom is the image of the Son of GOD.  

We find the invitation to the banquet in Matthew 22:4.  Rich and poor, sensible and foolish people, all are called to change their lives.

The bread and the wine which Wisdom gives will one day be the body and blood of CHRIST [see John 6].

GOD is always present in our lives; HE gives HIMSELF and nourishes us.  We are invited to open our hands to take what HE offers.  Each day, HE gives us what we need to solve the problems of humanity now.)

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