"If You Want To Follow ME, Deny Yourself. Take Up Your Cross And Follow ME."

 

"Then JESUS said to HIS disciples, 'If you want to follow ME, deny yourself.  Take up your cross and follow ME.  For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life, for MY sake, will find it.  What will one gain by winning the whole world, if he destroys his soul?  Or what can a person give, in exchange for his life?

Know, that the Son of Man will come, in the glory of HIS FATHER with the holy angels, and HE will reward each one according to his deeds.  Truly, I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death, before they see the Son of Man coming in HIS kingdom.'" - Matthew 16:24-28   

(Whoever chooses to save his life will lose it.  JESUS draws attention to the great option of every human life: we cannot discover GOD; we cannot make a success of life without sacrificing it.  All the rest is idle talk.  The option terrifies us in the same measure that life for us seems promising.  It is also the reason why marriage and family frighten many.

Christian freedom and happiness are found only in the joyous acceptance of the will of GOD which invites us to listen to HIS Son and follow HIM down the road and paths that HE traveled.)   

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The Transfiguration Of JESUS

"Six days later, JESUS took with HIM Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain, where they were alone.  JESUS' appearance was changed before them: HIS face shone like the sun, and HIS clothes became white as snow.  Then suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with JESUS.

Peter spoke up and said to JESUS, 'Master, it is good for us to be here.  If YOU wish, I will make three tents: one for YOU, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'

Peter was still speaking, when a bright cloud covered them with its shadow; and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is MY Son, the Beloved, MY Chosen One.  Listen to HIM.'

On hearing the voice, the disciples fell to the ground, full of fear.  But JESUS came, touched them, and said, 'Stand up, do not be afraid!'  When they raised their eyes, they no longer saw anyone except JESUS.  And as they came down the mountain, JESUS commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man be raised from the dead." - Matthew 17:1-9   

(This manifestation of the transfiguration of JESUS is in fact one of the most important in the New Testament.  In the liturgy of oriental Churches, the feast of the Transfiguration holds a place of supreme importance.

Though not the summit, it is in fact the summary of all revelation.  Moses and Elijah, the spokesmen of the Law and the Prophets [in a word, of all the Old Testament] present the CHRIST of the Gospel to the apostles Peter, James and John, those who will be responsible for the preaching of the Gospel.

As Moses and Elijah were led by GOD to the Holy Mountain, to witness HIS glory [Exodus 33:18; 1 Kings 19:9], so the apostles are led apart by JESUS; they too climb the mountain and there JESUS manifests HIS glory to them.

JESUS had just announced HIS passion and HIS death: the day had come when the FATHER confirmed HIS end that was very near [Luke 9:31] and gave HIM a foretaste of HIS resurrection.  Moses and Elijah were the witnesses, they who, in a certain way, escaped the corruption of death [Deuteronomy 34:6; 2 Kings 2:11].

A cloud formed covering them in a shadow.  The cloud mentioned here is that which, in several episodes of the Scriptures, both indicates and hides the mysterious presence of GOD [Exodus 19 and 1 Kings 8:10].

Listen to HIM.  The apostles have been accompanying JESUS for more than a year, with misunderstanding increasing between HIM and the religious authorities of the people of GOD.  For them a question could arise: Is not JESUS mistaken?  Are not the certitudes of GOD's people on the side of the priests and scribes?

The FATHER HIMSELF intervenes, just as HE had done in the past for John the Baptist: Listen to HIM!  "Listen to HIM for HE is the Word made flesh" [John 1:14; Hebrews 1:1].  HE is the Prophet, and all the others speak only for HIM [Deuteronomy 18:17].

When JESUS worked miracles for the sick, and over the forces of nature, HE showed that the present order of the world is not permanent.  Now the curtains are partially opened: would that the apostles understood that the Son of Man, as JESUS calls HIMSELF, is close to HIS resurrection.  In a little while HIS fellow citizens will hang HIM on a cross.  In a little while, too, the FATHER will give HIM the glory that awaits HIM.  The shining cloud, the dazzling white clothes are external signs that indicate something of the mystery of JESUS: the day HE rises from among the dead, HIS human nature will be transformed and extended by divine Energies, so that HE may fill everything in everyone.)

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The Faith Of The Canaanite Woman

"Leaving that place, JESUS withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  Now a Canaanite woman came from those borders and began to cry out, 'LORD, Son of David, have pity on me!  My daughter is tormented by a demon.'  But JESUS did not answer her, not even a word.  So HIS disciples approached HIM and said, 'Send her away: see how she is shouting after us.'

Then JESUS said to her, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.'

But the woman was already kneeling before JESUS and said, 'Sir, help me!'  JESUS answered, 'It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to the little dogs.'  The woman replied, 'It is true, sir, but even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master's table.'  Then JESUS said, 'Woman, how great is your faith!  Let it be as you wish.'  And her daughter was healed at that moment." - Matthew 15:21-28  

(The Jews usually looked down on pagans with marked contempt: they were the sons, the pagans were the dogs.  JESUS answered the afflicted woman repeating this well-known scornful saying.  HE said this to test the woman's faith: would she insist when it appeared that even GOD would reject her?)

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Prayer For Renewal

"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.

YOUR servants' children will dwell secure; their posterity will endure without fail.

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 102:16-18. 19-21. 29. 22-23

(The psalmist experiences psychological and bodily disintegration.  This pathetic expression of grief suddenly changes into a confident prayer for GOD's protection on Zion, HIS holy city.  So, we suffer with all who suffer in the Church--while being certain, that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

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 who seems very hurt and afflicted, let us rejoice and give thanks and book our place in heaven.

In the face of social chaos and a premature death, we can pray with this psalm, ratifying our hope:  'YOUR servants' children will dwell secure'.)

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The Death Of John The Baptist

"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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JESUS Walks On The Water

"Immediately, JESUS obliged HIS disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of HIM to the other side, toward Bethsaida, while HE HIMSELF sent the crowd away.  And having sent the people off, HE went by HIMSELF to the hillside to pray.

When evening came, the boat was far out on the lake, while HE was alone on the land.  JESUS saw HIS disciples straining at the oars, for the wind was against them; and before daybreak HE came to them, walking on the lake, and HE was going to pass them by.

When they saw HIM walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw HIM and were terrified.  But, at once, HE called to them, 'Courage!  It is I; don't be afraid!'  Then JESUS got into the boat with them, and the wind died down.  They were completely astonished, for they had not really grasped the fact of the loaves; their minds were dull." - Mark 6:45-52  

(JESUS obliged them to get into the boat.  Why?  John's Gospel explains this [John 6:15].  Because the people, enthused by the miracle, wanted to make HIM a king and liberator sent by GOD.  Even the apostles were eager for this to happen.)

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First Miracle Of The Loaves

"On hearing this, JESUS set out secretly by boat for a secluded place.  But the people heard of it, and they followed HIM on foot from their towns.  When JESUS went ashore, HE saw the crowd gathered there and HE had compassion on them.  And HE healed their sick.

Late in the afternoon, HIS disciples came to HIM and said, 'We are in a lonely place, and it is now late.  YOU should send these people away, so they can go to the villages and buy something for themselves to eat.'

But JESUS replied, 'They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat.'  They answered, 'We have nothing here but five loaves and two fishes.'  JESUS said to them, 'Bring them here to me.'

Then HE made everyone sit down on the grass.  HE took the five loaves and the two fishes, raised HIS eyes to heaven, pronounced the blessing, broke the loaves and handed them to the disciples to distribute to the people.  And they all ate, and everyone had enough; then the disciples gathered up the leftovers, filling twelve baskets.  About five thousand men had eaten there besides women and children." - Matthew 14:13-21   

(The Bible says that from the mouth of GOD comes bread, and the Word that we need [Deuteronomy 8:3].  By the act of giving bread, JESUS demonstrates that HIS words are GOD's words.  GOD gives bread to HIS people [Exodus 16; Psalm 72:16; Psalm 81:17; Psalm 132:15; 147:14].

What comes from the mouth of GOD [Deuteronomy 8:3; Wisdom 16:26; Matthew 4:4].

Seen in the light of the Old Testament, this narration identifies JESUS as the Shepherd foretold by the prophets.

They sat in fresh pastures [Psalm 23] and they were all satisfied [Psalm 78:29].  The crowd seated for a meal is the image of the Reign when JESUS will unite all of humanity in the fraternal banquet of GOD [Luke 14:15].

Raising HIS eyes to heaven.  By using this gesture, rather than a prayer that saints or prophets might have said on this occasion, JESUS expresses HIS personal relationship with the FATHER.

JESUS is the bread needed by humanity [John 6].  GOD has set on this earth all that humanity needs for food and development, but if we do not know how to listen to the Word, we will not know how to solve the world's most urgent problem, the distribution of the riches of the earth.  Faith in GOD's promises is the only force with which to fight against egoism and unequal privileges, and it will eventually obtain food, peace, and freedom for all.

Because of this, JESUS had compassion for this crowd whose leaders had little concern for them.  Without bothering about food, this crowd sat listening to HIM while HE conveyed to them the word of GOD that liberates people from blindness and emptiness.  Then, being the Shepherd and the True Bread of Life, HE gave them food and distributed it.) 

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"The Only Place Where Prophets Are Not Welcome Is His Hometown And In His Own Family."

"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 lost HIS relatives but found HIS true brothers and sisters.  When we commit ourselves to GOD's work, we discover new brothers and sisters and a mother, Mary, of whom the Gospel says, "Happy are you for having believed that GOD's promises would be fulfilled."  JESUS does not say, "HE is MY FATHER," for the FATHER is one and HE is in Heaven.)

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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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"I Have Come To Believe That YOU Are The CHRIST, The Son Of GOD, HE Who Is Coming Into The World."

"...many Jews had come to Martha and Mary, after the death of their brother, to comfort them.

When Martha heard that JESUS was coming, she went to meet HIM, while Mary remained sitting in the house.  Martha said to JESUS, 'If YOU had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that whatever YOU ask from GOD, GOD will give YOU.'  JESUS said, 'Your brother will rise again.'

Martha replied, 'I know that he will rise in the resurrection, at the last day.'  But JESUS said to her, 'I AM the resurrection.  Whoever believes in ME, though he dies, shall live.  Whoever lives and believes in ME will never die.  Do you believe this?'

Martha then answered, 'Yes, LORD, I have come to believe that YOU are the CHRIST, the Son of GOD, HE who is coming into the world.'" - John 11:19-27  

(I have come to believe that YOU are the CHRIST.  What more extraordinary profession of faith is there than Martha's!  It is like Peter's [Matthew 16:16], and in a short while it will be Mary who will tell about the resurrection to the same apostles.  Truly the Gospel is not male chauvinist, nor does it enthrone ecclesiastical hierarchy.)      

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