The Black Sheep

"Meanwhile tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of JESUS, all of them eager to hear what HE had to say.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law frowned at this, muttering, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'  So, JESUS told them this parable:

'Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and seek the lost one till he finds it?  And finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders?  Then he will call his friends and neighbors together, and say, 'Celebrate with me, for I have found my lost sheep!'  I tell you, in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over ninety-nine decent people, who do not need to repent.

What woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one, will not light a lamp, and sweep the house in a thorough search, till she finds the lost coin?  And finding it, she will call her friends and neighbors, and say, 'Celebrate with me, for I have found the silver coin I lost!'  I tell you, in the same way, there is rejoicing among the angels of GOD over one repentant sinner.'" - Luke 15:1-10  

(Why do the Pharisees complain?  Because they are scrupulously concerned about ritual purity.  In this perspective--present in the Old Testament--in a relationship between two people, the one who is unclean will contaminate the other.  Since "sinners" by definition never think of purifying themselves of the hundred and one impurities of daily life, JESUS could then be considered a teacher ready to become impure at any moment.  So it is that JESUS will speak of GOD's mercy that has not swept away sinners from HIS presence.

Then again, is not there something more human in the indignation of "good" people: let everyone see the difference between the rest and us!  Once more JESUS battles against the old idea of merits that have been gained and therefore worthy of GOD's reward.

Happy the one sheep JESUS went after, leaving the ninety-nine!  Poor righteous ones who do not need GOD's forgiveness!

In large cities today, the church seems to be left with only one sheep.  Why does she not get out, namely, let go of her income, privileges or devotions of a commercial style, to go out looking for the ninety-nine who got lost?  To leave the comfortable circle of believers who have no problems, to look beyond our renewed rituals, and to be ready to be criticized just as JESUS was criticized, is the challenge today.

Who lights the lamp, sweeps the house and searches except GOD HIMSELF?  Out of respect for GOD, the Jews of JESUS' time preferred not to name HIM, and they used expressions such as the angels or heaven.)

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The Cost Of Following JESUS

"One day, when large crowds were walking along with JESUS, HE turned and said to them, 'If you come to ME, unwilling to sacrifice your love for your father and mother, your spouse and children, your brothers and sisters, and indeed yourself, you cannot be MY disciple.  Whoever does not follow ME, carrying his own cross, cannot be MY disciple.

Do you build a house without first sitting down to count the cost, to see whether you have enough to complete it?  Otherwise, if you, have laid the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone will make fun of you: 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

And when a king wages war against another king, does he go to fight without first sitting down to consider whether his ten thousand can stand against the twenty thousand of his opponents?  And if not, while the other is still a long way off, he sends messengers for peace talks.  In the same way, none of you may become MY disciple, if he doesn't give up everything he has.'" - Luke 14:25-33 

 

(JESUS thinks about people who, after becoming enthusiastic about HIM and giving up their personal ambitions to dedicate themselves to the work of the Gospel, turn back to seek what ordinary people see as a more "normal" and secure life.  JESUS needs disciples who commit themselves once and for all.

Why this comparison with the king going to war?  Because the person who frees himself for the service of the Gospel is, in fact, a king to whom GOD will give greater rewards than anyone else would give [see Mark 10:30].  He must also know that the fight is against the "owner" of this world, the devil, who will stop him with a thousand unexpected tests and traps.  Had he not totally surrendered, the disciple would surely fail and be worse off than if he had not even begun.

If he doesn't give up everything he has.  JESUS asks some people to give up their loved ones and their family problems.  To all HE shows that we shall never be free to answer GOD's call, if we do not want to rethink our family links, our use of time and all that we sacrifice in order to live "like everyone else." 

Unwilling to sacrifice for your father and mother, your spouse and children...  This is found in Matthew 10:37. Luke adds: your wife.)

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JESUS Did Not Regard Equality With GOD

"Your attitude should be the same as JESUS CHRIST had:

Though HE was in the form of GOD,

HE did not regard equality with GOD as something to be grasped,

but emptied HIMSELF,

taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness,

and, in HIS appearance, found, as a man,

HE humbled HIMSELF by being obedient, to death,

death on the cross.

That is why GOD exalted HIM

and gave HIM the name which outshines all names,

so, that, at the name of JESUS all knees should bend

in heaven, on earth and among the dead,

and all tongues proclaim, that CHRIST JESUS is the LORD,

to the glory of GOD, the FATHER."

- Philippians 2:5-11

(HE did not regard equality with GOD: the mystery of GOD's Son who became a mortal man and gave up GOD's glory, although HE could have preserved it even in HIS human life.  Since CHRIST was to be the New Man, glorified by GOD and placed above everything, HIS being subject to misery and limitations was a way of being reduced to nothingness.

GOD exalted HIM.  The humiliation and obedience of CHRIST were the condition for receiving HIS glory.  HE gave HIM the name [of GOD], that is, HE made HIM fully enjoy in HIS human nature the divine Power [or name].

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When You Give A Feast, Invite Instead The Poor, The Crippled, The Lame And The Blind

"JESUS, also addressed the man who had invited HIM, and said, 'When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives. or your wealthy neighbors.  For surely they will also invite you in return, and you will be repaid.  When you give a feast, invite instead the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.  Fortunate are you then, because they cannot repay you.  You will be repaid at the resurrection of the upright.'" - Luke 14:12-14  

(Every one of us seeks to be near those who are above us, since we think we benefit more from being connected with those who are superior to with those who are inferior.

JESUS' warning points to one of the main causes of injustice.  We all share in the guilt when we decide with whom it is more beneficial to be associated; consequently, everyone tries to climb higher, always leaving the weakest in the most isolated and helpless position.

It would be a strange sight to see public officials pay more attention to the poorly dressed, or to see the poorest areas supplied with water and power before the residential districts, or to see doctors go to the rural areas to practice.)

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YAHWEH, Our GOD, Is One YAHWEH

"Fear YAHWEH, observe HIS commandments all the days of your life and HIS norms that I teach you today.  So also, for your children and your children's children that they may live long.

Listen, then, Israel, observe these commandments and put them into practice.  If you do this, you will be well and you will multiply in this land flowing with milk and honey, as YAHWEH, the GOD of your fathers, promised you.

Listen, Israel: YAHWEH, our GOD, is One YAHWEH.  And you shall love YAHWEH, your GOD, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.  Engrave on your heart the commandments that I pass on to you today." - Deuteronomy 6:2-6  

(Listen Israel: YAHWEH, our GOD, is One YAHWEH.  These verses are the creed of the Jews: which they recite every day.  JESUS alludes to this text when they question HIM about the most important command.

You shall love YAHWEH, your GOD, with all your heart.  The love of GOD cannot be totally unselfish.  Israel knew that by responding to the love of GOD who chose them, they were on the right path and GOD would reward them with peace and material prosperity.

Engrave in your heart the commandments: keep them present in your mind to help you organize your thinking and to be able to judge everything according to these standards.)

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JESUS Said, "I AM The Way, The Truth And The Life."

"'Do not be troubled!  Trust in GOD and trust in ME!  In MY FATHER's house there are many rooms; otherwise, I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.  After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to ME, so that where I AM, you also may be.  Yet you know the way where I AM going.'

Thomas said to HIM, 'LORD, we don't know where YOU are going; how can we know the way?'  JESUS said, 'I AM the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the FATHER but through ME.'" - John 14:1-6  

(JESUS ascension to the FATHER was not just an individual achievement but opened for all of us a way to our house, not situated high above us, but in GOD.  There are many mansions, that means that there is also a place for us: not just one mansion for everybody, but a place for each one, because Heaven is not like a performance which is the same for everyone in the audience.  GOD's radiance will draw from each one the resonance only HE can bring forth.  Each one will be in his own mansion, being in communion with all.

Now, knowing what the goal is, we should walk towards this definitive communion.  "I AM the way," says JESUS.  HE became human precisely so that we might see the FATHER in HIM.  HE followed HIS way, so disconcerting for us, so that, meditating on HIS actions, we would progress towards the truth.  Although in the beginning we may not understand HIM well, with time, we will discover the LORD and understand that HIS way is ours.  Passing through the cross and death, we will achieve our own truth and arrive at life.)

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How Do We Prove That We Are GOD's Children?

"See what singular love the FATHER has for us: we are called children of GOD, and we really are.  This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know 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 3:1-3 

(Here begins the second part of the letter: we are GOD's children and we must live as such.  How do we prove that we are GOD's children?  According to the same criteria that we have already seen: breaking away from sin, keeping the commandment of love, proclaiming our faith.  There are many ways of saying we are GOD's children.  One person might simply think: "GOD loves people" means that human beings have great dignity.  Here John calls our attention to two points:

- you are sons and daughters, but in order to become like GOD, do not seek anything else but to be perfect as GOD is perfect;

- you are children who will return to the FATHER.  Do you really think about the unique and transcendent  end for which GOD has chosen you?  Being aware of this, let us understand that GOD purifies us in a thousand ways, because only in this way can we attain our goal.

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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Be Strong In The LORD

"Finally, be strong in the LORD, with HIS energy and strength.  Put on the whole armor of GOD, to be able to resist the cunning of the devil.  Our battle is not against human forces, but against the rulers and authorities and their dark powers, that govern this world.  We are struggling against the spirits and supernatural forces of evil.

Therefore, put on the whole armor of GOD, that, in the evil day, you may resist, and stand your ground, making use of all your weapons.  Take truth as your belt, justice as your breastplate, and zeal as your shoes, to propagate the gospel of peace.  Always hold in your hand, the shield of faith, to repel the flaming arrows of the devil.  Finally, use the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the word of GOD.

Pray at all times, as the Spirit inspires you.  Keep watch, together with sustained prayer and supplication for all the holy ones.  Pray, also, for me, so that when I speak, I may be given words, to proclaim bravely, the mystery of the gospel.  Even when in chains, I am an ambassador of GOD; may HE give me the strength to speak as I should." - Ephesians 6:10-20  

(Paul has said what he had to say.  What does his invitation to be strong mean, when he takes his examples from military life?  Is it because he feels the Christians of Ephesus are not sufficiently strong.  Paul invites them, without saying it, to compare their situation with his.  Free or slaves, most of them were people of modest means of the cities near Ephesus.  Subjected for a long time to the Roman Empire that imposed peace on them, they were free of serious problems.  They were not rich, but they were able to content themselves with little.  Under a Mediterranean sky they had abundant light and a friendly, natural environment.  They found the faith at a time when it cost them little; what would they do the day the Empire became an obstacle and when suddenly they would be classed a bad lot, responsible for all that was wrong?

This is why Paul warns them: peace is only provisional, for the demon is waiting for his hour.  Paul asks them to persevere in prayer: the only effective arms against evil are those that CHRIST has left us: truth, faith, the word of GOD... and if they believe they have found salvation, let them exert themselves to evangelize others.)

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Children, Parents, Servants And Masters

"Children, obey your parents for this is right: Honor your father and your mother.  And this is the first commandment that has promise: that you may be happy and enjoy long life in the land.  And you, fathers, do not make rebels of your children, but educate them by correction and instruction which the LORD may inspire.

Servants, obey your masters of this world with fear and respect, with simplicity of heart, as if obeying CHRIST.  Do not serve only when you are watched or in order to please others but become servants of CHRIST who do GOD's will with all your heart.  Work willingly, for the LORD and not for humans, mindful that the good each one has done, whether servant or free, will be rewarded by the LORD.

And you, masters, deal with your servants in the same way, and do not threaten them, since you know that they and you have the same LORD who is in heaven, and HE treats all fairly." - Ephesians 6:1-9  

(Paul reminds children that GOD asks for obedience, and parents that they must not neglect their duty as educators.  Parents have the difficult task of leading their children to true freedom, teaching them first to obey a law, to serve rather than be served, to share rather than demand.  Later, they will show them how to follow the calls of the Spirit, well beyond what is considered good or bad all around them.

Paul reminds the slave of his nobility.  Let him live without servility: this is the first step toward genuine liberation.)  

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Husbands, Love Your Wives

"Let all kinds of submission to one another, become obedience to CHRIST.  So, wives, to their husbands, as to the LORD.

The husband is the head of his wife, as CHRIST is the head of the church, HIS body, of whom HE is also the Savior.  And as the church submits to CHRIST, so let a wife submit in everything to her husband. 

As for you, husbands, love your wives as CHRIST loved the Church and gave HIMSELF up for her.  HE washed her and made her holy by baptism in the Word.  As HE wanted a radiant Church without stain or wrinkle or any blemish, but holy and blameless, HE HIMSELF had to prepare and present her to HIMSELF.

In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they love their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  And no one has ever hated his body; he feeds and takes care of it.  That is just what CHRIST does for the Church, because we are members of HIS body.

Scripture says: Because of this a man shall leave his father and mother to be united with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  This is a very great mystery, and I refer to CHRIST and the Church.  As for you, let each one love his wife as himself, and let the wife respect her husband." - Ephesians 5:21-33 

(HE gave HIMSELF up for her.  CHRIST finds us in our sins, and HE takes charge of us, even to the ultimate consequences: HE gives HIS life to purify us.  This is the way to show the main quality of Christian love, which is faithfulness.  The self-gift of the spouse is permanent and from that moment on, each will do his best to save the other, that is, to help the other grow and be better.  The perfect couple is not the one that lives without problems and accepts mediocrity, but the two who compel each other to give their best.

HE washed her by the baptism in the Word [see James 1:18-21 and John 15:3].  If the ritual of baptism is important, what is even more important is for us to welcome the Word of GOD that gives us life.

Many young people flee marriage, partly because they fear a risk [total fidelity is indeed a way of losing one's life: Mark 8:35], partly because they consider that their love is their own business.  Paul shows that CHRIST's love for us, however personal it may be, never forgets HIS love for all those who make up HIS body.  It is an example: married Christians are invited to have their place in the transformation of the world through the radiation of their love and their service to others.)

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