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.)

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The Choosing Of Assistants

"In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.  So, the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together, and said, 'It is not right, that we should neglect the word of GOD to serve at tables.  So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men, full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task.  As for us, we shall give ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.'

The whole community agreed; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch, who was a proselyte.  They presented these men to the apostles, who, first prayed over them, and then, laid hands upon them.

The word of GOD continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; and even many priests accepted the faith." - Acts 6:1-7 

 

(JESUS did not spell out for HIS apostles how they were supposed to organize the Church.  And a conflict arose between two social groups.  The Jews, called Hebrews, had never left their land and they spoke Aramaic.  The Hellenists were those who had lived abroad and who usually spoke Greek.  They may have followed the Essene movement and refused to participate in temple rituals.  They felt uncomfortable with the liturgy and community life and their frustrations were growing.  In fact, the apostles identified more readily with the Hebrews, and it became necessary to give some autonomy to the Hellenists with their own people being in charge.  This was probably the birth of a Greek-speaking church, with a Greek liturgy.

The community chose seven men.  Since their authority had to come from CHRIST, it had to be passed on by the apostles.

The candidates must be filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, because they are not only entrusted with material services.  And even if it were only for material services the Church would have much to suffer from competent administrators who lacked the Spirit of the Gospel.  Were these seven men the first deacons?  Luke mentions nothing beyond service, and "deacon" denotes servant, usually steward.  In fact, this term, "deacons," will from the start give the meaning of every ministry in the Church: ministry means "service" [1 Corinthians 12:15].  Ministers are at the service of the community assembled by the Spirit to witness to the salvation given by JESUS.  All through the centuries, the ministers of the Church would be tempted to misuse the role entrusted to them for the good of the community.  Many will take advantage of their "service" to put themselves over the community: they will let others serve and honor them and will not hesitate to be called princes of the Church.  What is true for those called to a high rank in the hierarchy is equally true for all those priests or lay people entrusted with lesser responsibilities: all must remember the words of JESUS [Luke 22:24-27].)

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"If Their Project Or Activity Is Of Human Origin, It Will Destroy Itself."

"But one of them, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law highly respected by the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin.  He ordered the men to be taken outside for a few minutes and then he spoke to the assembly.

'Fellow Israelites, consider, well, what you intend to do to these men.  For some time ago, Theudas came forward, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him.  But he was killed and all his followers were dispersed or disappeared.  After him, Judas, the Galilean, appeared, at the time of the census and persuaded many people to follow him.  But he, too, perished; and his whole following was scattered.  So, in this present case, I advise you to have nothing to do with these men.  Leave them alone.  If their project or activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.  If, on the other hand, it is from GOD, you will not be able to destroy it; and you might indeed, find yourselves fighting against GOD.'

The Council let themselves be persuaded.  They called in the apostles and had them whipped; and ordered them not to speak again of JESUS, the Savior.  Then they set them free.

The apostles went out from the Council, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name.  Day after day, both in the temple and in people's homes, they continued to teach, and to proclaim, that JESUS was the Messiah." - Acts 5:34-42  

(Gamaliel was one of the most renowned among the masters of the law.  Here we see the open mind of this old Jewish teacher who knows that GOD's ways are not always the ways of humans.

JESUS had said something similar [Matthew 15:13].  Yet that does not seem evident.  Are we not aware of many false doctrines that last?  If they have lasted for centuries, perhaps it is due to the fact that in spite of the error and the evil they sow, they contain useful or necessary principles for a given time, or for certain human groups.  Perhaps they make very important statements that the Church should proclaim but cannot or does not want to do.  Experience shows that the majority of humans are not ready to embrace the Christian faith: must GOD abandon them because of that?  Can we, who have CHRIST, say with certitude that such and such a one is not "the prophet."  Maybe GOD's will is that HE be the prophet of a certain group and help them in their searching for GOD [Acts 17:27].

Gamaliel was Paul's teacher in Jerusalem for doubtless three or four years, a little after these events [Acts 22:3].  Paul's conversion will be providentially prepared through contact with this open and sincere man, and equally so through the death of Stephen [7:54-60].)

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Always Faces The Justice Of GOD

"'HE who comes from above is above all; he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth, and his words belong to the earth.  HE who comes from heaven speaks of the things HE has seen and heard; HE bears witness to these things, but no one accepts HIS testimony.  Whoever does receive HIS testimony acknowledges the truthfulness of GOD.

The one sent by GOD speaks GOD's words and gives the Spirit unstintingly.  The FATHER loves the Son and has entrusted everything into HIS hands.  Whoever believes in the Son lives with eternal life; but he who will not believe in the Son will never know life and always faces the justice of GOD.'" - John 3:31-36 

 

(Always faces the justice of GOD.  Those who do not recognize the Son of GOD remain in the situation humanity was in when expelled from Paradise.  If they are not able to receive the witness of "GOD the Son who is one with the FATHER," they will never solve the contradictions in their lives or in the world in which they live; and they cannot but mistrust GOD.)

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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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