GOD So Loved The World That HE Gave HIS Only SON That Whoever Believes In HIM May Not Be Lost, But May Have Eternal Life.

"Yes, GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only Son that whoever believes in HIM may not be lost, but may have eternal life.  GOD did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world; instead, through HIM the world is to be saved.  Whoever believes in HIM will not be condemned.  He who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of GOD.

This is how Judgment is made: Light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For whoever does wrong hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, for fear that his deeds will be seen as evil.  But whoever lives according to the truth comes into the light, so that it can be clearly seen that his works have been done in GOD." - John 3:16-21 

(The Jews had been praying for GOD to come and expected HIM to condemn the world and to punish the bad.  HE, on the other hand, sent HIS own Son to the cross so that the world will be saved.

Other verses of the New Testament say that we should not love the world, which seems to contradict what we have just read: GOD so loved the world.  The reason for this contradiction is that the word world has several meanings.

First, the world means all of creation, which is good since it is GOD's work.  The center of this divine work is humankind, which has come under the influence of Satan [8:34 and 44].  Everything that sinful humanity creates--riches, culture, social life--is influenced, disfigured and used for evil.  Hence, GOD sent HIS Son so that the world will be saved.

 Yet even though CHRIST's resurrection initiated invincible power over history, a strong current of evil continues, dragging along all who refuse to acknowledge the truth.  This evil current is sometimes called the world.  It would be more appropriate to say: the people who surrender themselves to the Master of the world.  The Scripture points to them in saying: Do not love the world, or You are not of the world [1 John 2:15; 4:6].)

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An Attempt To Share Everything

"The whole community of believers was one in heart and mind.  No one claimed private ownership of any possessions; but rather, they shared all things in common.  With great power, the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the LORD JESUS, for all of them were living in an exceptional time of grace.

There was no needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale.  And they laid it at the feet of the apostles, who distributed it, according to each one's need.  This is what a certain Joseph did.  He was a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, meaning: 'The encouraging one.'  He sold a field which he owned and handed the money to the apostles." - Acts 4:32-37  

(Here we might understand that this sharing had become a rule in the early Church.  In fact, if we pay attention to 4:36 and 5:4 it becomes clear that everyone admired what some of them did.

JESUS did not ask for this; yet they were doing it, inspired by the desire of every true believer to remove all divisions between brothers and sisters, especially those created by money.  Placing everything in common, however, requires not only a spirit of detachment, but also a sense of responsibility and organization.  The believers in Jerusalem lived at a time when work and foresight were not very important, and they soon consumed what they had, without being concerned about working, and eventually became the "poor of Jerusalem."  Paul was to organize collections in other churches in order to assist them [Galatians 2:10; Romans 15:25; 2 Corinthians 8].)    

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The Prayer Of The Community

"As soon as Peter and John were set free, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them.

When they heard it, they raised their voices as one, and called upon GOD, 'Sovereign LORD, maker of heaven and earth, of the sea and everything in them, YOU have put these words in the mouth of David, our father and YOUR servant, through the Holy Spirit: Why did the pagan nations rage and the people conspire in folly?  The kings of the earth were aligned; and the princes gathered together against the LORD and against HIS Messiah.

For indeed, in this very city, Herod, with Pontius Pilate and the pagans, together, with the people of Israel, conspired against YOUR holy servant, JESUS, whom YOU anointed.  Thus, indeed, they brought about whatever YOUR powerful will had decided, from all time, would happen.  But now, LORD, see their threats against us; and enable YOUR servants to speak YOUR word with all boldness.  Stretch out YOUR hand, to heal, and to work signs and wonders, through the name of JESUS, YOUR holy servant.'

When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered together shook; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of GOD boldly." - Acts 4:23-31  

(We can meditate on the way this church gathering develops: an event [the arrest] is shared by all.  For them this confrontation with the authorities is something new.  They connect what happened with the word of GOD.  In this case they refer to Psalm 2; then they begin common prayer and ask for courage to continue to do GOD's works.) 

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The First Community

"They were faithful to the teaching of the apostles, the common life of sharing, the breaking of bread and prayers.

A holy fear came upon all the people, for many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  Now, all the believers lived together, and shared all their belongings.  They would sell their property, and all they had, and distribute the proceeds to others, according to their need.  Each day, they met together, in the temple area; they broke bread in their homes; they shared their food, with great joy and simplicity of heart; they praised GOD and won the people's favor.  And every day, the LORD added to their number, those who were being saved." - Acts 2:42-47  

(Those who have been baptized feel strongly united by the new faith and long for a communal life.  As they gather in private houses and the communities are not too big, they can know each other and share everything.

Luke tells us what they did, and we must note the order of priorities:

- first the teaching of the apostles

- then comes Christian fellowship, with more attention to the weak

- only then may the breaking of bread, that is, the Eucharist, be celebrated

- finally common prayers of thanksgiving to prolong the Eucharist.

In some communities today life is lacking because the first point, which is the basis for all the rest, is not given priority.

The Spirit of JESUS comes to us through the Word and the Eucharist: these are the sources of the Church's dynamism.  By the Word, we do not mean the study of the Scriptures merely to know the Scriptures.  Scripture helps us realize how GOD continues to speak to us through the actual achievements of our life, the community and the world.

The expression breaking of bread could mean any Jewish meal that began with a blessing.  But very early the Christians reserved this word for reference to the Eucharist that they celebrated remembering the last supper of the LORD [Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16].

Joy and simplicity of heart gave witness to the change in their lives and the authenticity of their fraternal sharing.  They were deeply reconciled persons.

It was not the naive joy that is easily found in Christian groups who have no thought for the problems of the world.  Neither they nor their enemies could ignore that JESUS had taken on the problems of national reconciliation.  They were enjoying the favor of the people who considered them to be concerned and responsible persons.) 

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Proclaim The Good News To All Creation

"After JESUS rose early on the first day of the week, HE appeared first to Mary of Magdala, from whom HE had driven out seven demons.  She went and reported the news to HIS followers, who were now mourning and weeping.  But when they heard that HE lived, and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this HE showed HIMSELF in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.  These men also went back and told the others, but they did not believe them.

Later JESUS showed HIMSELF to the Eleven while they were at table.  HE reproached them for their unbelief, and hardness of heart, in refusing to believe those who had seen HIM after HE had risen.

Then HE told them, 'Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation." - Mark 16:9-15  

(The Good News is the seed that will be planted in the world and will flourish, in its proper time, in every field of human endeavor.  Salvation is not a matter of saving isolated souls or individual beings.  The Gospel is to be proclaimed to all creation in all activities and acts of those who have been renewed by baptism.  They are to be the yeast that transforms human history.)

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The Appearance Of JESUS By The Lake

"After this, JESUS revealed HIMSELF to the disciples by the Lake of Tiberias.  HE appeared to them in this way: Simon Peter, Thomas who was called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples were together; and Simon Peter said to them, 'I'm going fishing.'  They replied, 'We will come with you.'  And they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

When the sun came up, JESUS was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know that it was JESUS.  JESUS called out, 'Friends, have you anything to eat?'  They answered, 'Nothing.'  Then HE said to them, 'Throw the net on the right side of the boat and you will find something.'  When they had lowered the net, they were not able to pull it in because of the great number of fish.

Then the disciple JESUS loved said to Peter, 'It's the LORD!'  At these words, 'It's the LORD!' Simon Peter put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and jumped into the water.  The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish; they were not far from land, about a hundred meters.

When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it, and some bread.  JESUS said to them, 'Bring some of the fish you've just caught.'  So Simon Peter climbed into the boat and pulled the net to shore.  It was full of big fish--one hundred and fifty-three--but, in spite of this, the net was not torn.

JESUS said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.'  And not one of the disciples dared to ask HIM, 'Who are YOU?'  for they knew it was the LORD.  JESUS came and took the bread and gave it to them, and HE did the same with the fish.

This was the third time that JESUS revealed HIMSELF to HIS disciples after rising from the dead." - John 21:1-14  

(JESUS appears this time near Lake Tiberias.  This delightful event is filled with divine presence as CHRIST stands on the lonely lake shore in the light of dawn.  The apostles see a stranger but John , the prophet, recognizes CHRIST,

The Apostles pulled in a net full of 153 big fish.  This number had a symbolic value; it expressed plentitude and universality.  Such will be the apostolic work: all nations of the earth will be brought to CHRIST.)

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Last Instructions

"Then JESUS said to them, 'Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you: Everything written about ME in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms had to be fulfilled.'  Then HE opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

And HE went on, 'You see what was written: the Messiah had to suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.  Then repentance and forgiveness in HIS name would be proclaimed to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  Now you shall be witnesses to this.  And this is why I will send you what MY FATHER promised.  So, remain in the city until you are invested with power from above.'

JESUS led them almost as far as Bethany; then HE lifted up HIS hands and blessed them.  And as HE blessed them, HE withdrew (and was taken to heaven. They worshipped HIM).  They returned to Jerusalem full of joy and were continually in the Temple praising GOD." - Luke 24:44-53 

(JESUS uses these encounters to clarify the meaning of HIS brief and intense mission for HIS apostles.  HE saves us from sin, which means nothing less than reordering history to resurrect humankind.

Everything written about ME in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms had to be fulfilled.  What the prophets announced, about a savior who would be rejected by HIS people and take the sin of HIS people upon HIMSELF, had to be fulfilled.  What sin?  Everyone's sins, of course, but also the violence of the whole Jewish society at the time of JESUS.  This was the sin that brought HIM to the cross.

As a matter of fact, this way of death and resurrection was not reserved only for JESUS, but for HIS people also.  In that precise period, Israel, subject to the Roman Empire, had to accept the death of its earthly ambitions: autonomy, national pride, the religious superiority of the Jews over other people... in order to rise as the people of GOD scattered among nations and to become the agent of salvation.  A minority took the way JESUS pointed out, and this was the beginning of the Church.

Repentance and forgiveness.  Christian conversion is not passing from one party to another, from one religious group to another: it is a recasting of the person.  Persons are part of a society, a world, a history.  Therefore, the preaching to the nations means also the education of the nations and even international society.  This is something that takes longer than ten or a hundred years.

You shall be witnesses to this.  JESUS calls HIS apostles to be the official witnesses of HIS Gospel and those who judge authentic faith.

Remain in the city.  The apostles are not able to begin immediately missionary work.  They will first dedicate themselves to strengthening fellowship and the fervor of the community of the disciples, as they wait for the time chosen by the FATHER to give them the power coming from above.

I will send you what my FATHER promised.  JESUS could not affirm HIS divine authority and the unity of the three divine persons more powerfully.

HE withdrew: this was the last of JESUS appearances to the group of disciples.

And so, concludes Luke's first book.  His second book, The Acts of the Apostles, follows the Gospels and it begins exactly where the Gospel ends.)

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Peter And John Cure A Lame Man

"Once when Peter and John were going up to the Temple at three in the afternoon, the hour of prayer, a man crippled from birth was being carried in.  Every day they would bring him and put him at the temple gate called 'Beautiful'; there he begged from those who entered the Temple.

When he saw Peter and John on their way into the Temple, he asked for alms.   Then Peter with John at his side looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us.'  So, he looked at them, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, 'I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you:  In the name of JESUS of Nazareth, the Messiah, walk!'

Then he took the beggar by his right hand and helped him up.  At once his feet and ankles became firm, and jumping up he stood on his feet and began to walk.  And he went with them into the Temple walking and leaping and praising GOD.

All the people saw him walking and praising GOD; they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, and they were all astonished and amazed at what had happened to him." - Acts 3:1-10  

(We might sometimes think that JESUS cured all the sick.  This is not true, since HE did not heal this cripple who was in the Temple every day.  This new sign brings about another proclamation.

Why are you amazed at this?  The miracle was done in the Name of JESUS, that is, by the Power over every creature that JESUS received from the FATHER at the time of HIS resurrection.  JESUS was in their midst as the servant of the LORD [Isaiah 42:1; 52:13], but speaking of HIS Name was a way of stating HIS divinity [Mark 16:17; Philippians 2:9].)

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Repent!

"'Let Israel, then, know for sure, that GOD has made LORD and CHRIST this JESUS, whom you crucified.'

When they heard this, they were deeply troubled.  And they asked Peter and the other apostles, 'What shall we do, brothers?'

Peter answered: 'Each of you must repent and be baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST, so that your sins may be forgiven.  Then, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise of GOD was made to you and your children, and to all those from afar, whom our GOD may call.'

With many other words Peter gave the message; and appealed to them, saying, 'Save yourselves from this crooked generation.'  So, those who accepted HIS word were baptized; some three thousand persons were added to their number that day." - Acts 2:36-41  

(What shall we do?... Repent.  In those days, to repent and to be converted meant to share the life of the infant Church which showed to the nation the way of salvation taught by JESUS.  The Church did not appear as a new religion opposed to Judaism, but as a center of more authentic life.

Repent.  Peter uses these words of JESUS at the beginning of his speech [Matthew 4:17] -- the Church is beginning to fall into the steps of JESUS--now it is no longer a question of receiving the baptism of John the Baptist, which was only a ritual of purification, highlighting the desire to repent.  We must receive baptism "in the name of JESUS."

Save yourselves from the crooked generation.  This means that the entire generation was missing the unique opportunity they were given.  For GOD asked them to take the most decisive step in Sacred History; even Roman oppression could be overcome by a people able to put the Gospel into practice.  At the same time JESUS made them discover the love of GOD the FATHER for which the entire Scripture prepared them.

Some three thousand persons were added to their number.  They already knew of JESUS but were not committed to HIM.  They were converted by the common action of the Holy Spirit and the apostles.  A church in which signs of the Spirit acting could not be seen could not say that JESUS lives in her midst.)

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True Happiness

 "Keep me safe, O GOD,

for in YOU I take refuge.

I say to YAHWEH,

'YOU are my LORD, my only good.'

O YAHWEH, my inheritance and my cup,

my chosen portion--hold secure my lot.

I praise YAHWEH who counsels me;

even at night, my inmost self-instructs me.

I keep YAHWEH always before me;

for with HIM at my right hand,

I will never be shaken.

My heart, therefore, exults; my soul rejoices;

my body, too, will rest assured.

For YOU will not abandon

my soul to the grave,

nor will YOU suffer YOUR holy one

to see decay in the land of the dead.

YOU will show me the path of life,

in YOUR presence, the fullness of joy,

at YOUR right hand, happiness forever."

- Psalm 16:1-2. 5. 7-8. 9-10. 11

(So much lip-service is paid to the one GOD and so much activity to the gods we make for ourselves.  Only thoughtful experience can show how hollow these are.  The offerings we make pay no return but a frenzy to offer more.  But perhaps this experience is necessary for many of us.  It may not lead to the high mysticism of the psalmist.  If we learn to turn away and look for a while towards the more lasting good, we may find it more satisfying after all.  Appetite may grow from what it feeds on.  There is even a presentiment in this psalm, that such a union with GOD, will prove stronger than death, and in CHRIST it did.  The risen LORD, so closely united with HIS FATHER, descended to the place of death and came out freely, ascending with HIS spoils.  Nor can death resist HIS Body, which is the Church.  HE promised that the gates of death would not withstand it.  Death, 'the last enemy,' is destroyed.  The resurrection of our bodies is guaranteed by the resurrection of CHRIST.

Loyalty to GOD does not mean hostility toward those who follow another religion.  This loyalty asks of us, on the contrary, to look more closely at our attachment to all the little gods, that encumber our life.  Let us not sacrifice our Christian identity on the altar of money.)

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