The Faith Of The Centurion

"When JESUS entered Capernaum, an army captain approached HIM to ask HIS help, 'Sir, my servant lies sick at home.  He is paralyzed and suffers terribly.'  JESUS said to him, 'I will come and heal him.'

The captain answered, 'I am not worthy to have you under my roof.  Just give an order and my boy will be healed.  For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers.  And if I say to one:  'Go,' he goes, and if I say to another:  'Come,' he comes, and to my servant:  'Do this,' he does it.' 

When JESUS heard this, HE was astonished and said to those who were following HIM, 'I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel.  I say to you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven; but the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown out into extreme darkness; there, they will wail and grind their teeth.'

Then JESUS said to the captain, 'Go home now.  As you believed, so let it be.'  And at that moment, his servant was healed.

JESUS went to Peter's house and found Peter's mother-in-law in bed with fever.  HE took her by the hand and the fever left her; she got up and began to wait on HIM.

Toward evening, they brought to JESUS many people possessed by evil spirits; and with a word, HE drove out the spirits.  HE also healed all who were sick.  In this way, what was said by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled: HE bore our infirmities and took on HIMSELF our diseases. " - Matthew 8:5-17 

(This captain of a foreign army earned the esteem of the Jews.  The amazing thing was not that he should have contributed to the building of the synagogue, but rather that the Jews should have accepted it from him.  He must have been a good man.  He knew the Jews' prejudices too well to have dared to personally approach this JESUS share his compatriots' pride.  Would HE respond to the petition of a Roman official?  That was why he sent his Jewish friends to JESUS.

The man is really troubled:  will JESUS consent to go to a pagan's house and "become impure"?  The captain goes one step further:  JESUS does not have to come to his house.  While other sick people seek to be touched by the Master thinking that JESUS possesses some healing power, this man, has instead grasped that JESUS has the very power of GOD and does not need to go to the sick servant:  it would not be any more difficult to give a command from a distance to a life that was slipping away.

The heirs of the kingdom.  These words are intended to express the Jewish term used by JESUS: the sons of the kingdom, that is: those who belong, or: those who side with, are associated with the kingdom.  Because all of Jewish life was aimed at inheriting the kingdom promised to them.

Among the Jewish people, at that time, religion was taught by the religious community.  There was no problem of personal conversion; the children of Jewish families became Jewish believers.  The Jewish teachers did not belittle faith, but in fact they always spoke about practices and commitment.

JESUS does not belittle the practices, but it is faith that HE admires and praises; see Matthew 9:2; 9:22; 9:28.

Many will come.  Likewise, for us, practices and religious habits will not introduce us to the kingdom.  We must discover the loving presence of the FATHER while experiencing the power of JESUS' word and controversial deeds.

They will be thrown out into extreme darkness.  Let us not immediately think of hell: JESUS is using the style of the prophets.  Staying with the appearance of a learned religion, one goes everywhere except where life is.)

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Cure Of A Leper

"When JESUS came down from the mountain, large crowds followed HIM.

Then a leper came forward.  He knelt before HIM and said, 'Sir, if you want to, YOU can make me clean.'  JESUS stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, 'I want to, be clean again.'  At that very moment, the man was cleansed from his leprosy.  Then JESUS said to him, 'See that you do not tell anyone; but go to the priest, have yourself declared clean, and offer the gift that Moses commanded as evidence for them.'" - Matthew 8:1-4   

(In this new section of his Gospel [8:1-9:35] Matthew has placed a collection of miracles.  For him, these miracles are not only extraordinary events: they contain lessons on what a disciple of JESUS is.  To begin with: the cure of a leper; on the part of JESUS this is an act of courage, and an act that openly violates the law of purity [see Mark 1:40].)  

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Wise And Foolish Builders

"Not everyone who says to ME, 'LORD!  LORD!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my heavenly FATHER.  Many will say to ME on that day, 'LORD, LORD, did we not speak in YOUR name?  Did we not cast out devils and perform many miracles in YOUR name?'  Then I will tell them openly, 'I have never known you; away from ME, you evil people!'

'Therefore, anyone who hears these words of MINE, and acts according to them, is like a wise man, who built his house on rock.  The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house.  But it did not collapse, because it was built on rock.  But anyone who hears these words of MINE, and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand.  The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible collapse that was!'

When JESUS had finished this discourse, the crowds were struck by the way HE taught, because HE taught with authority, unlike their teachers of the law." - Matthew 7:21-29 

(Many will say to ME on that day.  Matthew probably quotes this sentence pointing out to the charismatic prophets who disturb his communities by not obeying precepts that are addressed to everyone.

Whether we teach or work miracles, these abilities and ministries given us for the good of the community do not assure us that we are in the grace of GOD.  True faith works through love [Galatians 5:6] and moves us to fulfill all the law: James 2:8.

Anyone wo hears these words of MINE.  JESUS means those who listen to HIS words and are converted: they believe themselves already saved.  If they do not use their initial enthusiasm to build their lives on solid foundations, such as scriptural meditation, generosity, resistance to evil inclinations, sharing in the Christian community--then everything will tumble down later.)

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Birth Of John The Baptist

"When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son.  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful LORD had done a wonderful thing for her, and they rejoiced with her.

When, on the eighth day, they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father.  But his mother said, 'Not so; he shall be called John.'  They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name!' and they made signs to his father for the name he wanted to give him.  Zechariah asked for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, 'His name is John;' and they were very surprised.  Immediately, Zechariah could speak again, and his first words were in praise of GOD.

A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the hill country of Judea the people talked about these events.  All who heard of it, pondered in their minds, and wondered, 'What will this child be?'  For they understood that the hand of the LORD was with him.

As the child grew up, he was seen to be strong in the Spirit; and he lived in the desert, until the day when he appeared openly in Israel." - Luke 1:57-66. 80  

(What was circumcision.  [See Genesis 17].

The child lived in the desert, that is, the desert of Judea by the Dead Sea, where some large communities of which the well-known Qumran community had settled.  These communities, called the Essenes, devoted themselves to prayer and meditation on Scripture.  And took part in the education of the children.)

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Enter Through The Narrow Gate!

"Do not give what is holy to the dogs, or throw your pearls before pigs.  They might trample on them, and then turn on you and tear you to pieces.

So, do to others whatever you would that others do to you: there, you have the law and the prophets.

Enter through the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the road, that leads to destruction, and many go that way.  How narrow is the gate that leads to life; and how rough, the road; few there are, who find it." - Matthew 7:6. 12-14  

(Do not give what is holy to the dogs or throw your pearls before pigs.  JESUS addressed this warning to HIS followers living in a hostile world.  They should not tell everything to everyone.  GOD has given each of us wonderful gifts: we must not share them with everyone at once, believing that it will bring them to faith.

Enter through the narrow gate.  Maybe someone was asking JESUS: "Who, then, can be saved?" [Matthew 19:25].  In no instance did JESUS say whether those who would share in eternal life would be many or few.  HE did not say many times that very few would be chosen from among the many called.  That means that among the many people privileged to meet HIM, very few would experience the Gospel's riches and bring forth fruit in themselves and for others.  The chosen or approved are those who persevere and strive for perfect freedom.

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many go that way.  They stray from leading a life in which JESUS is everything for them.  They waste the gifts GOD entrusted to them and apparently become useless for the kingdom.  Yet, even so, they are not deprived of GOD's mercy.

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Don't Be A Judge

"Do not judge and you will not be judged.  In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use for others will be used for you.  Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and not see the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother: 'Come, let me take the speck from your eye,' as long as that plank is in your own?  Hypocrite, take first the plank out of your own eye, then you will see clear enough to take the speck out of your brother's eye." - Matthew 7:1-5   

(No doubt when JESUS spoke these words it was with the same meaning as in 5:43.  Usually those who consider themselves as good, or belonging to the group of the converted, judge and criticize those of a different standing.  It is a form of pride that spiritual authors call the "fault of beginners."  So strongly inscribed is it in human nature that many among the "just" of the Bible have expressed their disapproval of the "sinner" who did not observe the law of GOD.  Contrariwise the new law tells us not to consider ourselves superior or be judges of those who take a different road, or who are led by GOD to do so.  Do not judge.  We must exercise good judgment in order to distinguish between the good and evil around us.  Though it is a factor of success never to displease anyone, we must have the courage to tell others the wrong that they do.  Here "to judge" means to condemn.

Where we look at our own lives, we realize that those who helped us grow were those who supported and understood us, not those who judged and condemned us.

Do not judge.  See Romans 2:1; 14:4; 1 Corinthians 5:12; James 4:11.)

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"Do Not Be Afraid Of Those Who Kill The Body, But Have No Power To Kill The Soul."

"There is nothing covered that will not be uncovered.  There is nothing hidden that will not be made known.  What I AM telling you in the dark, you must speak in the light.  What you hear in private, proclaim from the housetops.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but have no power to kill the soul.  Rather, be afraid of HIM who can destroy both body and soul in hell.  For a few cents you can buy two sparrows.  Yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your FATHER knowing.  As for you, every hair of your head has been counted.  Do not be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows!

Whoever acknowledges ME before others, I will acknowledge before MY FATHER in heaven.  Whoever rejects ME before others, I will reject before MY FATHER in heaven." - Matthew 10:26-33   

(We are cowards, and JESUS is aware of this.  HE has already said, "Do not fear," when HE invited us not to look for security in money.  Now, dealing with the fear of repression, HE adds, "If you cannot free yourselves from cowardice, consider where the greater threat comes from, from GOD or people?"

This is the only time JESUS refers to "fear of GOD."  When the Old Testament mentioned fear of GOD, it generally meant giving due respect to GOD.  Respect is far from fear.  Respect is an attitude proper to a free person.  GOD does not threaten to throw us into hell; rather HE reminds us that to lose HIM is to lose ourselves also, and this is hell.

Whoever acknowledges ME.  After stressing the sovereign power of HIS FATHER, JESUS puts HIMSELF on the same level.  HE will decide our eternal fate.  JESUS refers not only to recognizing HIM in the ultimate sense, that is, by not denying our Christian faith before others; HIS words also convey a day-by-day demand.  We must not be ashamed to act or talk as people of faith, to go public about our Christian convictions when necessary.)

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Set Your Heart On The Kingdom

"No one can serve two masters; for he will either hate one and love the other; or he will be loyal to the first and look down on the second.  You cannot, at the same time, serve GOD and money.

Therefore, I tell you, not to be worried about food and drink for yourself, or about clothes for your body.  Is not life more important than food; and is not the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, they do not harvest, and do not store food in barns; and yet, your heavenly FATHER feeds them.  Are you not less worthy than they are?

Can any of you add a day to your life by worrying about it?  Why are you so worried about your clothes?  Look at how the flowers in the fields grow.  They do not toil or spin.  But I tell you, that not even Solomon, in all his glory, was clothed like one of these.  If GOD so clothes the grass in the field, which blooms today and is to be burned in an oven tomorrow, how much more will HE clothe you?  What little faith you have!

Do not worry, and say: What are we going to eat?  What are we going to drink?  or: What shall we wear?  The pagans busy themselves with such things; but your heavenly FATHER knows that you need them all.  Set your heart, first, on the kingdom and righteousness of GOD; and all these things will also be given to you.  Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:24-34  

(No one can serve two masters.  Scripture had already taught that we must choose between GOD and false gods.  JESUS affirms that money is a false god, because it offers happiness and security for the future, but robs us of our only riches, that is, the present time.  Caught up in making money, we are unable to live truly and freely; we neglect our personal growth and family life, keep silent before evil and lie.  We ignore our neighbor and grovel before the powerful.

Why are you so worried?  The comparison with the flowers and the birds does not mean that we can fold our arms and be idle, because when GOD gave us arms and brains, it was for us to use them.  Rather JESUS teaches that, if GOD takes care of and beautifies the smallest of creatures, how much more will HE care for us that our lives may be beautiful and perfect.

Set your heart first on the kingdom.  It is a matter of concrete realities: the kingdom means the transparency of GOD in our life; HIS justice is a "putting in order" under HIS attention of all that we are and all that we do.  A risk to run for a young person, or a couple: to begin to think of the future, family and apostolic activity according to the criteria of the Gospel, no longer under pressure of Malthusian fear or the race to maintain their life-style.)

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"Do Not Treasure Treasures."

"Do not store up treasures for yourself here, on earth, where moth and rust destroy it; and where thieves can steal it.  Store up treasures for yourself with GOD, where no moth or rust can destroy it, nor thief come and steal it.

For where your treasures, is, there, also, will your heart be.

The lamp of the body is the eye; if your eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light.  If your eyes are diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If then, the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" - Matthew 6:19-23  

(Do not store up treasures.  The Gospel says: "Do not treasure treasures," treasures meaning those savings held in reserve rather than something that is loved.  For centuries the majority of human beings rarely had personal reserves: the family or the clan took charge of the reserve in times of adversity.  Today each one is in charge of his own resources; it is perhaps better, but how do we escape the obsession of a secure future?  Once more JESUS invites us to believe in the Providence of the FATHER: if we have HIS interests at heart, HE will look after ours.

Store up treasures for yourself with GOD.  The Gospel says, "in Heaven," and we know that Heaven is one of the names of GOD.

There also will your heart be.  [In the Jewish culture the heart is where judgments and decisions are made].  I do not possess things, but they possess me and by degrees impose on me a certain lifestyle.

There also will your heart be.  It is this certitude that motivates any effort made towards "evangelical poverty."  It is a question of being as free as possible for action and for love.  JESUS calls us to disinterested action and at the same time warns us against inordinate attachment to persons, to ideas and possessions: we are to be ready for anything but must never get attached to the fruits of action.

Here eye is the conscience.  To be bright-eyed signifies generosity, to be dark-eyed signifies meanness.  JESUS emphasizes what HE has just said: a misinformed conscience leads us astray and turns us in on ourselves.)

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"When You Pray, Do Not Use A Lot Of Words."

"When you pray, do not use a lot of words, as the pagans do; for they believe that, the more they say, the more chance they have of being heard.  Do not be like them.  Your FATHER knows what you need, even before you ask HIM.

This, then, is how you should pray:

Our FATHER in heaven,

holy be YOUR name,

YOUR kingdom come,

YOUR will, be done

on earth, as in heaven

Give us today, our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts,

as we forgive those who are in debt to us.

Do not bring us to the test,

but deliver us from the evil one.

If you forgive others their wrongdoings, your FATHER in heaven will also forgive yours.  If you do not forgive others, then your FATHER will not forgive you. - Matthew 6:7-15 

   

(The value of prayer does not lie in the quantity of words and the mere repetition of formulas, as if accomplishing a task.  The value of prayer lies chiefly in our inner attitude of faith and love of GOD.  We should try to lift our mind and heart to GOD as a FATHER and a friend, a GOD who loves us and is always waiting for us to share a silent moment with HIM.  To pray is not to talk much, but to surrender our lives into GOD's loving hands.

JESUS gives the Our Father to HIS disciples as the perfect prayer coming from the heart of GOD's children, expressing as it does, what they should ask and the order in which the requests should be made.)

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