GOD's City, Mother Of All Nations

 "HE HIMSELF has built it in HIS holy mountain;

YAHWEH prefers the gates of Zion

to all of Jacob's towns.

Great things have been foretold

of you, O City of GOD:

But of Zion, it shall be said,

'More and more are being born in her.'

For the Most High HIMSELF has founded her.

And YAHWEH notes in the people's register:

'All these were also born in Zion.'

And all will dance and sing

joyfully for YOU."

- Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7

(The universalist's outlook here is truly astonishing.  It is not that Zion ceases to be the center of the world.  This, in the psalmist perspective, will always be so.  To offer the hand in friendship to Babylon and Egypt, the ancient persecutors, is truly magnanimous.  It may speak of the Jews exiled in those countries.  This would turn the wide and gracious gesture of verses 4 and 5 into something clumsy and ungenerous.  This psalm may be compared to a passage of the prophet Zechariah [8:20-23; cf. also 14:16] where people from foreign countries, 'take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying: Let us go with YOU, for we have heard that GOD is with YOU.'  There is a Jew the whole world has heard of, and HIS surname is Emmanuel, which means 'GOD with us.'  The Church is our "city" the mother of all [cf. Ephesians 2:12-19; Galatians 4:26].  This is a good psalm to celebrate universal fraternity or to put ecumenism into practice.)

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Comparison With The Body

"As the body is one, having many members, and all the members, while being many, from one body, so it is with CHRIST.  All of us, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, have been baptized in one Spirit, to form one body, and all of us have been given, to drink from the one Spirit.

The body has not just one member, but many.

Now, you are the body of CHRIST, and each of you, individually, is a member of it.  So, GOD has appointed us in the Church.  First apostles, second prophets, third teachers.  Then come miracles, then the gift of healing, material help, administration in the Church and the gift of tongues.

Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?  Can all perform miracles, or cure the sick, or speak in tongues, or explain what was said in tongues?  Be that as it may, set your hearts on the most precious gifts, and I will show you a much better way. " - 1 Corinthians 12:12-14. 27-31  

(A detailed comparison with the body helps us to understand what the Church is, showing at the same time how we must complement and respect each other.

We cannot have a true community unless each of us shares in its life, placing our talents at the service of others.  Even the least gifted may have riches that will be revealed at the right time.  Even the misfortunes of someone may become the riches of the group that welcomes him/her.  As soon as one is really committed to a Christian life, the Spirit awakens in him new and sometimes unsuspected capabilities.  If we pay attention to the riches of our brothers and sisters and awaken in them the consciousness of their dignity and responsibility, we shall see a new resurgence in the Church, fruit of the Spirit.  It would take too long to recall the harm done to the Church in some places because of the passivity of Christians in a clericalized church.)

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The Security Of GOD's Friends: A Psalm Of Confidence

"YAHWEH is in HIS holy place--

our GOD whose throne is in heaven.

HE looks down to earth

to observe the race of Adam.

YAHWEH searches both righteous and wicked.

HE hates those who delight in violence.

For YAHWEH is righteous;

HE loves justice.

The upright will see HIS face."

- Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7

(This is another picturesque variation of the theme of trust in GOD.  The psalmist is confident that the righteous will meet GOD face to face and chooses not to let the wicked trouble him instead.  The hunters are out again, but the psalmist is already away to the refuge he knows so well, every cranny of it, the mountains, which is GOD.  What else can he do, when all the rest that seemed dependable, has collapsed?  Perhaps the attitude is as grudging as Peter's 'To whom shall we go?'  Doubtless, our own motives are never unmixed: something creative has disappointed us and we turn to the Creator.  Strangely enough, HE seems to be satisfied with this: HE runs to us, undignified like the Prodigal's father.  Shall we ever understand how humble GOD's love is?  Even the form of a servant was not enough, unless it hung on a cross!)

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Do You Love ME More Than These Do?

"After they had finished breakfast, JESUS said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love ME more than these do?'  He answered, 'Yes, LORD, YOU know that I love YOU.'  And JESUS said, 'Feed MY lambs.'

A second time JESUS said to him, 'Simon, son of John, do you love ME?'  And Peter answered, 'Yes, LORD, YOU know that I love YOU.'  JESUS said to him, 'Look after MY sheep.'  And a third time HE said to him, 'Simon, son of John, do you love ME?'

Peter was saddened because JESUS asked him a third time.  'Do you love ME?' and he said, 'LORD, YOU know everything; YOU know that I love YOU.'

JESUS then said, 'Feed MY sheep!  Truly, I say to you, when you were young, you put on your belt and walked where you liked.  But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will put a belt around you, and lead you where you do not wish to go,'

JESUS said this to make known the kind of death by which Peter was to glorify GOD.  And HE added, 'Follow ME!'" - John 21:15-19  

(The triple questioning of Peter by JESUS may be thought of as the undoing of the triple denial during JESUS' passion.  Peter, too, being the shepherd of the shepherds, is a forgiven sinner.  JESUS entrusts the whole Church to him: the same as in Matthew 16:18. Do you love ME?  This is the first condition to be fulfilled by a shepherd in the Church.

This dialogue between JESUS and Peter expresses what being a Christian is all about.  JESUS asks us every day if we love HIM in a special and exclusive way: Do you love ME more than these do?  We answer, "Yes," despite our miseries, as Peter did; JESUS then invites us to follow HIM anew, out of love, and to share with HIM the responsibility of caring for the people of GOD.  There is no better way of following JESUS than by giving up our lives for HIS mission. 

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Ecumenism

"'I pray not only for these, but also for those who through their word will believe in ME.  May they all be one, as YOU FATHER are in ME and I AM in YOU.  May they be one in US, so that the world may believe that you have sent ME.

I have given them the glory YOU have given ME, that they may be one as WE are one: I in them and YOU in ME.  Thus, they shall reach perfection in unity; and the world shall know that YOU have sent ME, and that I have loved them, just as YOU loved ME.

FATHER, since YOU have given them to ME, I want them to be with ME where I AM, and see the glory YOU gave ME, for YOU loved ME before the foundation of the world.

Righteous FATHER, the world has not known YOU, but I have known YOU, and these have known that YOU have sent ME.  As I revealed YOUR name to them, so will I continue to reveal it, so that the love with which YOU loved ME may be in them, and I also may be in them.'" - John 17:20-26  

 

(In our times, we have a better understanding of these past difficulties.  Many Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants are attempting to unite as believers.  At the same time, however, new problems have arisen within each Church.  Today Christians disagree and are split, not only in their political options, but also in their understanding of CHRIST and their views on how HIS message is best delivered in our time.

Ecumenism, that is, efforts to reconcile in truth and bring the Churches together, demands that we overcome the new dissensions that threaten the internal unity of the Church.  All of us must work so that the unity of all Christians may be realized as CHRIST desires, and by the means HE wants.  In any case, nothing can be done without obeying the truth and doing the truth.  In no way can we disregard Peter's charism of unity that is granted to Peter's successors.)

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'Happiness Lies More In Giving Than In Receiving.'

"Keep watch over yourselves, and over the whole flock the Holy Spirit has placed into your care.  Shepherd the Church of the LORD that HE has won, at the price of HIS own blood.  I know that, after I leave, ruthless wolves will come among you and not spare the flock.  And, from among you, some will arise, corrupting the truth, and inducing the disciples to follow them. 

Be on the watch, therefore, remembering that, for three years, night and day, I did not cease to warn everyone, even with tears.  Now, I commend you to GOD, and to HIS grace-filled word, which is able to make you grow and gain the inheritance that you shall share with all the saints.

I have not looked for anyone's silver, gold or clothing.  You, yourselves, know, that these hands of mine have provided for both my needs and the needs of those who were with me.  In every way, I have shown you that by working hard one must help the weak, remembering the words that the LORD JESUS HIMSELF said, 'Happiness lies more in giving than in receiving.'

After this discourse, Paul knelt down with them and prayed.  Then, they all began to weep and threw their arms around him and kissed him.  They were deeply distressed because he had said that they would never see him again.  And they went with him even to the ship." - Acts 20:28-38  

(We have the warning of divisions and heresies in the Church: the same message will reappear in the Pastoral Letters [2 Timothy 3:1-9].  We are used to seeing Christians divided.  For Paul, it was unthinkable.  When he speaks of "the Churches of CHRIST" [Romans 16:4 and 16; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 11:16], he is only thinking of the local communities who communicate among themselves, and all accept without discussion the same faith and tradition of the apostles.  Paul alludes to what awaits him: all that we can do is to follow CHRIST, who has won HIS Church at the price of HIS own blood.  Only in heaven will a leader of the Church find rest and retirement.

Paul takes up the resignation discourse of Samuel [1 Samuel 12:3].  How quickly can a person be self-serving and look after self in any apostolic work.)

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Prayer Of JESUS For The New Holy People

"After saying this, JESUS lifted up HIS eyes to heaven and said, 'FATHER. the hour has come!  Give glory to YOUR Son, that the Son may give glory to YOU.  YOU have given HIM power over all humanity, so that HE may give eternal life to all those YOU entrusted to HIM.  For this is eternal life: to know YOU, the only true GOD, and the One YOU sent, JESUS CHRIST.

I have glorified YOU on earth and finished the work that YOU gave ME to do.  Now, FATHER, give ME, in YOUR presence, the same glory I had with YOU before the world began.

I had made YOUR name known to those YOU gave ME from the world.  They were YOURS, and YOU gave them to ME, and they kept YOUR word.  And now they know that whatever YOU entrusted to ME, is indeed from YOU.  I have given them the teaching I received from YOU, and they accepted it, and know in truth that I came from YOU; and they believe that YOU sent ME.

I pray for them.  I do not pray for the world, but for those who belong to YOU, and whom YOU have given to ME.  Indeed all I have is YOURS, and all YOU have is MINE; and now they are MY glory.  I AM no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to YOU.  Holy FATHER, keep those YOU have given ME in YOUR name, so that they may be one, as WE also are.'" - John 17:1-11  

(Keep those YOU have given ME in YOUR name.  In other words: keep them in the radiance of YOUR own sanctity, with which YOU embrace YOUR Son.  At that moment JESUS prayed for HIS Church, to whom HE entrusted HIS own mission.  The principal duty of the Church is to know GOD.  Whatever the situation of the Church might be, its proper and indispensable mission will be to keep and proclaim the true knowledge of GOD and the commandment of HIS Son.

JESUS wants each of his own to know GOD.  This knowledge comes to us when we interiorize the word of GOD, persevere in prayer and join community celebrations.  In this we will have the help of the Holy Spirit, from whom come the gifts of knowledge and wisdom [Colossians 1:9].  From knowledge will spring good works and love; this is the beginning of eternal life in which we will see GOD as HE is [1 John 2:3].

JESUS prayed that HIS Church might be one, that is to say, that it might be the sign of unity in a divided world.  It is not enough that CHRIST is preached; it is also necessary for the world to see in its midst the Church, one and united.

Catholic Church, means, universal.  In the Church no one is a stranger.  One Church, through one same spirit, and through the visible unity of its members.)

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Paul In Ephesus

"While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came to Ephesus.  There he found some disciples whom he asked, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?'  They answered, 'We have not even heard that anyone may receive the Holy Spirit.'  Paul then asked, 'What kind of baptism have you received?'  And they answered, 'The baptism of John.'

Paul then explained, 'John's baptism was for conversion, but he himself said they should believe in the one who was to come, and that one is JESUS.'  Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the LORD JESUS.  Then Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came down upon them; and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.  There were about twelve of them in all.

Paul went into the synagogue and for three months he preached and discussed there boldly, trying to convince them about the Kingdom of GOD." - Acts 19:1-8 

(For three years, Paul wanted to evangelize Ephesus.  Ephesus was one of the most beautiful and largest cities in the empire.

Luke wanted to relate the baptism of these twelve disciples of John the Baptist. As we have just said they knew something of JESUS' teaching, but as for being his disciples, they lacked what was most important: they had not received the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit came down upon them.  We must not forget that in the beginning, the Christian language was limited.  We know that the Holy Spirit is much more than the manifestations that follow the laying on of hands.  So, we have such statements as: we have not heard that there is the Holy Spirit, while other texts state: that the Holy Spirit be received.  The laying on of hands is meant to confirm the change worked at baptism through the experience of the gifts of the Spirit [1 Corinthians 12:7].  Many Christians would be surprised today if they have never had this tangible experience of GOD.  Let us not say that these gifts are no longer useful or that such things do not happen today.  What is important, surely, is to believe and live one's faith rather than to feel it.  Such an experience, however, is often the shock that gives rise to a re-blossoming of our faith: it shows us that GOD is near, and HE is master of our inner self.   Perhaps our rationalist temperament and our Church life, mistrustful of all that is a personal expression, serves as a dampener of the gifts of the Spirit; perhaps it is rather the poverty of our commitment to JESUS.

They were baptized in the name of the LORD JESUS.  Are we to presume that in the beginning baptism was in the name of JESUS and not in the name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT?  It is not certain.

In the name of signifies: by the power of; maybe the baptism in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the Holy Spirit was called the baptism in the name of JESUS to distinguish it from the baptism of John and the baptisms of other religions.  It is also possible that at the moment of receiving the water in the name of the Holy Trinity, the person baptized had to make a personal invocation in the Name of JESUS.  Possibly also in early times, baptism was given "in the Name of JESUS" and later the Church modified the formula in order to distinguish itself from groups that believed in JESUS but without recognizing HIM as Son of GOD, born of the FATHER.  There would be nothing to astonish us in such a change: the Church of the apostles had given the first formula; the same Church gave the second formula attributed to JESUS in Matthew 28:19.)

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GOD Has Put All Things Under The Feet Of CHRIST

"May the GOD of CHRIST JESUS our LORD, the FATHER of glory, reveal HIMSELF to you, and give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that you may know HIM.

May HE enlighten your inner vision, that you may appreciate the things we hope for, since we were called by GOD.

May you know how great the inheritance is, the glory, GOD sets apart for HIS saints; may you understand, with what extraordinary power, HE acts in favor of us who believe.

HE revealed HIS almighty power in CHRIST when HE raised HIM from the dead, and had HIM sit at HIS right hand in heaven, far above all rule, power, authority, dominion, or any other supernatural force that could be named, not only in this world, but in the world to come as well.

Thus has GOD put all things under the feet of CHRIST and set HIM above all things, as head of the church, which is HIS body, the fullness of HIM, who fills all in all." - Ephesians 1:17-23  

(Far above all power.  In Paul's days, neither Jews nor Christians doubted that the world was governed by supernatural powers, "angels."  They called them: Rulers, Powers, Authorities, Dominion, and Paul was saying to them: all these Powers are inferior to CHRIST.  In our days we express ourselves differently.  Nevertheless, we see the universe subject to the laws of nature, to the forces of matter and of life.  It is also subject to obscure forces: collective prejudices, vice and fanaticism.  These ruled the world, preventing the emergence of humanity, until the coming of CHRIST: see Galatians 3:23.

GOD has put all things under the feet of CHRIST.  This means the same as the words of our creed: "JESUS is seated at the right hand of GOD."  It means that in rising, CHRIST, the GOD-Human became the First in the universe.  All things under HIS feet except humankind.

Paul adds: "HE made HIM head of the Church".  CHRIST acts differently in two areas: in the world, where HE is the invisible center in charge; in the Church, of which HE is the head, where HE can show the riches of HIS Spirit.)

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You Will Ask In MY Name

"When that day comes to you will not ask ME anything.  Truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the FATHER in MY name, HE will give you.  So far you have not asked for anything in MY name; ask, and receive, that your joy may be full.

I have taught you all these things in veiled language, but the time is coming when I shall no longer speak in veiled language, but will speak to you plainly about the FATHER.

When that day comes, you will ask in MY name; and it will not be necessary for ME to ask the FATHER for you, for the FATHER HIMSELF loves you, because you have loved ME, and you believed that I came from the FATHER.  As I came from the FATHER, and have come into the world, so I AM leaving the world, and going to the FATHER." - John 16:23-28  

(I will speak to you plainly...  The naïve response of the apostles in verse 29 underlines by contrast what JESUS expressed in verse 25.  JESUS did not mean that HE would return in visible form to teach, not in parables, but more clearly; JESUS referred rather to the spiritual knowledge of HIMSELF and HIS words that the disciples were to receive from the Spirit.

You will ask in MY name.  Through a spiritual knowledge of JESUS, the believers will know what they should ask of HIM and HE will give it to them.  In the same manner, they will know the things that GOD does not want to give, and because of that they will neither desire nor ask for them.)

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