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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Seek The Things That Are Above

"So, then, if you are risen with CHRIST, seek the things that are above, where CHRIST is seated at the right hand of GOD.  Set your mind on the things that are above, not on earthly things.  For you have died and your life is now hidden with CHRIST in GOD.  When CHRIST, who is your life, reveals HIMSELF, you also will be revealed with HIM in Glory." - Colossians 3:1-4  

(Here we have what was said about baptism which joins us to CHRIST and makes us share in all HIS wealth.  Since CHRIST left this earth, we leave it too: what is best in our lives, what motivates us to do things is neither visible, nor is it of the earth.  GOD alone knows the riches of the believer's heart, even when her life seems tarnished by various faults and weaknesses: one day GOD will manifest the goodness, the "glory" which we do not yet see [Matthew 25:31-46].

Put to death what is earthly in your life.  It is not that we have to kill ourselves, but to destroy egoism, wickedness, envy, excessive confidence in self, for sin is there.  Being free of a religion of commandments should not make us less aware of what is required in a new life.  It means being still more perfect [Matthew 5:20 and 48].)

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JESUS Appears To The Women

"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the tomb.  Suddenly there was a violent earthquake:  an angel of the LORD descending from heaven, came to the stone, rolled it from the entrance of the tomb, and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning and his garment white as snow.  When they saw the angel, the guards were struck with terror.

The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for JESUS, who was crucified.  HE is not here, for HE is risen as HE said.  Come, see the place where they laid HIM; then go at once and tell HIS disciples that HE is risen from the dead, and is going before you to Galilee.  You will see HIM there.  This is my message for you.  

In fear, yet with great joy, the women left the tomb and ran to tell the news to HIS disciples.

Suddenly, JESUS met them on the way and said, 'Rejoice!'  The women approached HIM, embraced HIS feet and worshiped HIM.  But JESUS said to them, 'Do not be afraid!  Go and tell MY brothers to set out for Galilee; there, they will see. ME.'" - Matthew 28:1-10 

(Suddenly, JESUS met them on the way.  It is obvious that Matthew is combining two different events; one, the discovery of the empty tomb, and the other, which happened later on, the apparition of JESUS to Mary Magdalene alone as related in John 20:11-18.

Set out for Galilee.  Why did JESUS say this date if HE was going to appear later that same day in Jerusalem?  [Luke 24:13-42].  It is not clear.  Probably the evangelists combined several apparitions to simplify their narration.  Anyway, time was needed for the apostles to believe in the Resurrection and understand something about it.  After the two apparitions in Jerusalem, in which JESUS tried to convince them that HE was not a phantom or a spirit, they would have to return to their provinces and environments, far away from the city that had caused them such trauma, in order to ponder what they had experienced.  In Galilee, JESUS will manifest HIMSELF differently, making them understand that HE is already glorified, that HIS existence is earthly no more.

A woman, Mary Magdalene, conveys the message, in order to indicate that, in the Church, not everything will come from the authorities.  GOD communicates with whomever HE wishes, giving prophetic messages to simple people and to women.

The resurrection of CHRIST is the pivotal point of the Gospel; yet Matthew reports it briefly.  Why?  Because when Matthew wrote his Gospel, the Resurrection was considered too great an event to put into writing: rather, it should be proclaimed and witnessed to by the Spirit at work in the Christian communities.

Are we in a different situation?  The Church that talks of the Risen CHRIST should never be a powerful Church but a Risen Church.  If the Church finds itself in a situation where there is no apparent hope of salvation, yet it is revived by the power of GOD; if in each generation the Church seems doomed to die because of its ancient structures, its worldly ways or the persecution it undergoes, yet it is nevertheless given new energies and new apostles by the LORD, then the Church is a witness that the LORD has risen and has given her the power to rise.)

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CHRIST Is Our High Priest

"We have a great high priest, JESUS, the Son of GOD, who has entered heaven.  Let us, then, hold fast to the faith we profess.  Our high priest is not indifferent to our weaknesses, for HE was tempted, in every way, just as we are, yet, without sinning.  Let us, then, with confidence, approach the throne of grace.  We will obtain mercy and, through HIS favor, help in due time.

CHRIST, in the days of HIS mortal life, offered HIS sacrifice with tears and cries.  HE prayed to HIM, who could save HIM from death, and HE was heard, because of HIS humble submission.  Although HE was Son, HE learned, through suffering, what obedience was, and, once made perfect, HE bec 

(For the Jews, the high priest--despite his personal defects--was a sacred person protecting the people from the punishment deserved by their sins.  The people needed not only leaders to govern them, but an advocate before GOD.  Aaron, Moses' brother, the first priest of the Jews, had been such a man.  His successors, the high priests, were to be the same.

This idea is developed here: the high priest is the people's representative before GOD, and he must be weak as they are but accepted by GOD.  CHRIST is just that and perfectly so.  Forgetting that JESUS is a man among humans is as serious for the faith as forgetting that HE is the Son of GOD.

It is helpful to look at the role of CHRIST, the high priest, at this time when the Church reminds us that all the faithful are associated with the priestly role of CHRIST.  We must represent humanity before GOD; we are consecrated to GOD for that purpose.

In the Eucharist we thank GOD in the name of everyone.  In daily life we must be instruments of the grace of GOD by being people who promote truth, encourage love and establish peaceful relationships.

HE offered HIS sacrifice with tears and cries.  In Scripture, these words are used to express the insistent prayer of the oppressed children of GOD: they cry to GOD in such a loud voice that HE listens to them.  Thus, the night before HIS death, JESUS identified with men and women who suffer and do not want to die.)

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The Passover

"YAHWEH spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt and said, 'This month is to be the beginning of all months, the first month of your year.  Speak to the community of Israel and say to them:

On the tenth day of this month let each family take a lamb, a lamb for each house.  If the family is too small for a lamb, they must join with a neighbor, the nearest to the house, according to the number of persons and to what each one can eat.

You will select a perfect lamb without blemish, a male born during the present year, taken from the sheep or goats.  Then you will keep it until the fourteenth day of the month.

On that evening all the people will slaughter their lambs and take some of the blood to put on the doorposts and on top of the doorframes of the houses where you eat.

That night you will eat the flesh roasted at the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

And this is how you will eat: with a belt round your waist, sandals on your feet and a staff in your hand.  You shall eat hastily for it is a Passover in honor of YAHWEH.  On that night I shall go through Egypt and strike every firstborn in Egypt, men and animals; and I will even bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt, I, YAHWEH!  The blood on your houses will be the sign that you are there.  I will see the blood and pass over you; and you will escape the mortal plague when I strike Egypt.

This is the day you are to remember and celebrate in honor of YAHWEH.  It is to be kept as a festival day for all generations forever.'" - Exodus 12:1-8. 11-14 

(Let each family take a lamb.  The ancestors of the Hebrews, when wandering with their flocks before they stayed in Egypt, celebrated each year the Pasch of the Lamb, the traditional feast of the shepherds.  They sacrificed a lamb on the first moon of spring, a critical period for the ewes which had just given birth.  The lamb set aside for the feast was kept for several days in the same place where the people were so that it could be better identified with the family and carry the sins of all its members.  Later, the camping tents were sprinkled with its blood to drive away the "deadly" spirits that threatened people and animals.

The sense of the ancient feast has changed.  It must be understood that GOD established the Passover at the time of the exodus from Egypt: it would always be there to remind Israel of its liberation.)

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YAHWEH Has Opened My Ear

"The LORD YAHWEH has taught me

so, I speak as HIS disciple

and I know how to sustain the weary.

Morning after morning HE wakes me up

to hear, to listen like a disciple.

The LORD YAHWEH has opened my ear.

I have not rebelled,

nor have I withdrawn.

I offered my back to those who strike me,

my cheeks to those who pulled my beard;

neither did I shield my face

from blows, spittle and disgrace.

I have not despaired,

for the LORD YAHWEH comes to my help.

So, like a flint I set my face,

knowing that I will not be disgraced.

HE who avenges me is near.

Who then will accuse me?

Let us confront each other.

Who is now my accuser?

Let him approach.

If the LORD YAHWEH is my help,

who will condemn me?

All of them will wear out like cloth;

the moth will devour them."

- Isaiah 50:4-9

("Who is the prophet talking about, himself or another?" [Acts 8:34].  Actually, the servant could be as in 49:1 the faithful minority, but it could also be, perhaps, the prophet himself, or who knows, a "Prophet" who is to come?  The author refuses to choose between servant and servants.

Former prophets met with the same opposition.  Moses had to endure a rebellious people; Jeremiah had been persecuted and imprisoned [see Jeremiah 20:7 and 37].  On the basis of these examples, we see a profile and mission of the perfect servant of YAHWEH.  This will be JESUS, but every one of HIS prophets can apply all these words to himself or herself.

Note the beginning of the poem.  The Servant will be able to transmit the word and to encourage on behalf of GOD because he himself listens every morning and keeps his ears open.  To sustain those who are tired, we must be taught by GOD: the true prophet is a person of prayer, open to the spirit of GOD.  "No one but the spirit of GOD knows the secrets of GOD... and through HIM we understand what GOD in HIS goodness has given us" [1 Corinthians 2:11-12].)

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YAHWEH Called Me From My Mother's Womb

"Listen to me, O islands,

pay attention, peoples from distant lands.

YAHWEH called me from my mother's womb;

HE pronounced my name before I was born.

HE made my mouth like a sharpened sword.

HE hid me in the shadow of HIS hand.

HE made me into a polished arrow

set apart in HIS quiver.

HE said to me, 'You are Israel, MY servant,

Through you I will be known.'

'I have labored in vain, I thought

and spent my strength for nothing.'

Yet what is due me was in the hand of YAHWEH,

and my reward was with my GOD.

I am important in the sight of YAHWEH,

and my GOD is my strength.

And now YAHWEH has spoken,

HE who formed me in the womb to be HIS servant,

to bring Jacob back to HIM,

to gather Israel to HIM.

HE said: 'Tis not enough

that you be MY servant,

to restore the tribes of Jacob,

to bring back the remnant of Israel.

I will make you the light of the nations,

that MY salvation will reach to the ends of the earth'."

- Isaiah 49:1-6

(Who is speaking in these verses?  They are the Judean exiles at Babylon [some years later they will be called the Jews].  And it is not a lamentation but rather a thanksgiving to GOD who has chosen them in a very special way for a unique mission.

The hope and the future of Israel have been entrusted to them, not to those remaining in the motherland.  Soon they will return and gather the remnant of the tribes of Jacob, which means not only their kins in the ex-kingdom of Judah, but also the other in the northern kingdom.

From that moment on the dream of a final gathering of the whole people of GOD enters the Bible, and Gospel will announce that this goal will be achieved through and in CHRIST: John 11:52.

But there is more, for GOD wants this small group of exiles to bring to the nations the light of salvation.  This marks the opening of the times of mission.  The Jews will be the messengers of the only GOD and of HIS law in the world.  Those who welcome CHRIST will call on the pagans to the faith and Spirit will be bestowed to them [Galatians 3:14].  A humiliated people will be YAHWEH's hidden arrow, HIS definitive weapon: through them GOD will unbare HIS madness which is wiser than human wisdom [1 Corinthians 1:21].

YAHWEH called me from my mother's womb.  These were Jeremiah's words.  All that follows can be interpreted both of the believing minority or of the one who fully lives a prophetic vocation.  Is the servant a single person, or is he a people of prophets?  The apostles of JESUS quickly understood that the present text applied first to HIM.  HE is the Word and the two-edged sword [Hebrew 4:12; Revelations 19:15].

Paul in turn will take for himself these verses: Galatians 1:14; Acts 13:47; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 12:8.  This double interpretation, personal and collective, should not surprise us for the unique Savior is never a lonely savior.  JESUS wanted to be identified with those who believe, who suffer and persevere to prepare for the salvation of the world.)

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The Supper At Bethany

"Six days before the Passover, JESUS came to Bethany, where HE had raised Lazarus, the dead man, to life.  Now they gave a dinner for HIM, and while Martha waited on them, Lazarus sat at the table with JESUS.

Then Mary took a pound of costly perfume, made from genuine spikenard, and anointed the feet of JESUS, wiping them with her hair.  And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Judas Iscariot--the disciple who was to betray JESUS--remarked, 'This perfume could have been sold for three hundred silver coins, and the money given to the poor.'  Judas, indeed, had no concern for the poor; he was a thief, and as he held the common purse, he used to help himself to the funds.

But JESUS spoke up, 'Leave her alone.  Was she not keeping it for the day of MY burial?  [The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have ME.]'

Many Jews heard that JESUS was there, and they came, not only because of JESUS, but also to see Lazarus whom HE had raised from the dead.  So, the chief priests thought about killing Lazarus as well, for many of the Jews were drifting away because of him and believing in JESUS." - John 12:1-11  

(Matthew and Mark also relate the incident at a supper when Mary showed her passionate love for JESUS.  She loved HIM with all her strength, and her love, far from blinding her, made her sense and respect the mysterious personality of JESUS.

Not all the apostles understood her gesture, because they still had much to learn about loving CHRIST.

Like Judas we often speak of giving to the poor.  Yet the LORD's command is not to give but to love.  To love the poor is to reveal to them their call from GOD, and to help them grow as persons by overcoming their weaknesses and divisions and by fulfilling the mission GOD entrusted to them.  The poor will live the Gospel and witness to it in the world.  If we are not among them, we need conversion and true poverty to discover with them the kingdom.  How can we really love the poor unless we have passionate love for JESUS?  When we do not, we prefer to speak only of giving to the poor.)

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The Last Supper

"On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to JESUS and said to HIM, 'Where do YOU want us to prepare the Passover meal for YOU?'  JESUS answered, 'Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him, 'The Master says: MY hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with MY disciples in your house.'

The disciples did as JESUS had ordered and prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, JESUS sat at table with the Twelve.  While they were eating, JESUS said, 'Truly I say to you: one of you will betray ME.'  They were deeply distressed, and they asked HIM, one after the other, 'YOU do not mean me, do YOU, LORD?'

HE answered, 'The one who dips his bread with ME will betray ME.  The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say HE will.  But alas for that one who betrays the Son of Man: better for him not to have been born.'  Judas, the one who would betray HIM, also asked, 'YOU do not mean me, Master, do you?'  JESUS replied, 'You have said it.'" - Matthew 26:17-25  

(During the Passover JESUS wanted to clarify the meaning of HIS imminent Passion.  HE was headed toward a death which HE freely accepted, a death that would save the world.  What would "HIS" salvation be?  It would bring human history to its fulfillment: people and races needed to mature, to confront one another and finally to be united in one body.  The world would pass through a thousand crises and deaths in order to come to the resurrection.  Within such a history GOD could spread and distribute the riches of HIS Spirit and bring to holiness HIS elect.  JESUS had presented a message that should guide humanity, but a people of GOD was also needed, a yeast, a minority who would feel committed to GOD's work, and to whom GOD would commit HIMSELF.)

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The Plot To Kill JESUS

"Many of the Jews who had come with Mary believed in JESUS when they saw what HE did; but some went to the Pharisees and told them what JESUS had done.  So the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Council.

They said, 'What are we to do?  For this man keeps on performing many miraculous signs.  If we let HIM go on like this, all the people will believe in HIM and, as a result of this, the Romans will come and destroy our Holy Place and our nation.'

Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year, spoke up, 'You know nothing at all!  It is better to have one man die for the people than to let the whole nation be destroyed.'

In saying this Caiaphas did not speak for himself, but being High Priest that year, he foretold like a prophet that JESUS would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also would die in order to gather into one the scattered children of GOD.  So, from that day on, they were determined to kill HIM.

Because of this, JESUS no longer moved about freely among the Jews.  HE withdrew instead to the country near the wilderness and stayed with HIS disciples in a town called Ephraim.

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and people from everywhere were coming to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover.  They looked for JESUS and, as they stood in the temple, they talked with one another, 'What do you think?  Will HE come to the festival?'" - John 11:45-56  

(Caiaphas words were fulfilled but not in the sense he intended.  JESUS going to die to gather into one the scattered children of GOD.

The worldwide effect of CHRIST's resurrection is to unite all of humanity in renewed creation--as JESUS HIMSELF put it, "when I'M lifted up from earth I shall draw all to MYSELF" [John 12:32].  That is to say, the cross and resurrection are the source of communion and fraternity.

The Church reunites believers of all races and cultures: we call it "Catholic," that is, universal.  This Church, however, is but a beginning and a sign of that which will be attained at the end of time, when the whole of humanity will be reunited in CHRIST [Revelation 7].)

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