The Cost Of Following JESUS

Hello! and happy last day of the month to all of us; and it's just 86 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Today's "daily bread":

 

THE GOOD NEWS (30 September 2015)

"As they went on their way, a man said to HIM, 'I will follow you wherever you go.'  JESUS said to him, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay HIS head.'

To another JESUS said, 'Follow me.'  But he answered, 'Let me go back now, for first I want to bury my father.'  And JESUS  said to him, 'Let the dead bury their dead; as for you, leave them and proclaim the kingdom of GOD.'

Another said to HIM, 'I will follow you, LORD, but first let me say goodbye to my family.'  And JESUS said to him, 'Whoever has put his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of GOD'." - Luke 9:57-62

 

(In contrast with JESUS customary understanding attitude about human nature, here we see JESUS very demanding with the disciple who wants to follow HIM:  JESUS cannot waste HIS time in forming those who are not ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of the Gospel.

 

The third of these would-be disciples, perhaps, was secretly hoping that at the time of saying good-bye, his family would beg him not to do such a foolish thing, and so he could remain with his good intentions:  I would like to, but...

 

The second case is different:  Let the dead bury their dead.  Faced with these abrupt words that we occasionally meet in the Gospel,  there are two attitudes to be avoided.  The first would be to take these words as a general rule, a precept addressed to everyone without nuance, the second, more frequent, would be to say:  "That must not be taken literally, it's an oriental way of speaking.  'For JESUS there is no entry into the Kingdom without an experience of liberty'."

 

First I want to bury my father.  This means perhaps that he should bury his father who has died.  Most probably it means that he wanted to look after his aging father up to the time of his burial. It is difficult to think one is truly free if he had not had the opportunity to prove it by acting differently from what is understood and accepted around him.  Think of Francis of Assisi begging for bread in his own town after having lived there as the son of a rich family.

 

 

Leave them and proclaim the kingdom of GOD.  When a call from JESUS reaches you, it is the complete will of GOD for you in this precise moment.  Leave there your excuses, your duties:  perhaps these would-be duties only in a world of the dead.  GOD has provided that others, perhaps HIS angels, will  see to them.)

War Broke Out In Heaven!

Hello! and happy Tuesday to all of us; and it's just 87 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our first-thing-first today:

 

THE GOOD NEWS (29 September 2015)

"War broke out in heaven with Michael and his angels battling with the dragon.  The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated and lost their place in heaven.  The great dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or Satan, seducer of the whole world, was thrown out.  He was hurled down to earth, together with his angels.

Then I heard a loud voice from heaven:

Now has salvation come, with the power and the kingdom of our GOD, and the rule of HIS anointed.  For our brothers' accuser has been cast out, who accused them night and day, before GOD.  They conquered by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they gave up their lives going to death.  Rejoice, therefore, O you heavens and you who dwell in them; but woe to you, earth and sea, for the devil has come to you in anger knowing that he has but a little time." - Revelation 12:7-12

 

(GOD's plan for the world has just been revealed:  the Son of GOD must become a human and rise as the Savior of all people.  This mystery causes a double crisis:  in the world of spirits (or angels) and in humankind.

 

The Jews imagined the angels were a huge army and they called their head Michael.  Similarly, the devil is presented as the head of the army of rebellious angels, the stars fallen from heaven.)

The Sign Of The New Covenant

Hi! and happy first day of the week to all of us; and, it's just 88 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our today's "food for the soul":

"The Word of YAHWEH, the GOD of hosts was directed to me in this way, 'I am intensely jealous for Zion, stirred by a burning anger for her sake.  YAHWEH says:  I will return to Zion and live in her midst.  Jerusalem shall be called City of faithfulness and the Mountain of YAHWEH of hosts, the Mountain of holiness. 



Mount Zion, Jerusalem, Israel (Now)

YAHWEH, GOD of hosts speaks, 'Old men and women will again sit in the squares, each with a stick in hand on account of their great age.  The squares of the city will be filled with girls and boys playing.'

 

YAHWEH, GOD of hosts declares, 'If that seems impossible in the eyes of those who have returned from exile, will it be impossible for ME as well?' - word of YAHWEH.

YAHWEH, GOD of hosts says, 'See, I am going to save my people, bringing them from the east and from the west and they will live in Jerusalem.  They will be my people and I shall be their GOD in truth and in justice." - Zechariah 8:1-8

(GOD expresses all HIS love for the chosen people who are personified in their city, Jerusalem.  HE promises prosperity and the happiness of salvation.  Above all, HE brings them to discover their role in the world:  to be a point for gathering all the people.

 

 For us these are words of hope, but they also require us to behave in such a way that unbelievers may really become aware that GOD is present in us.  We can apply what was said about Isaiah 65 here:  we must guide our countries toward this peace, full of rejoicing that only GOD can bring about.  

 

They will be my people and I shall be their GOD.  This is the typical messianic promise and the sign of the new covenant.)

4th Sunday, September 2015

Hello! and happy holy and family day to all of us; and, it's just 89 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Today's first-thing-first:

 

THE GOOD NEWS (27 September 2015)

 

          1st Reading  :  Numbers 11:25-29

 

          Psalm           :  Psalm 19:8-14

 

          2nd Reading :  James 5:1-6

 

          Gospel         :  Mark 9:38-48

 

 

"The LORD, sun of justice." - Psalm 19

 

(The splendor of heaven gives us a glimpse of the glory of GOD.  We are also aware of HIS presence when we meditate on HIS commandments which are light and joy for the soul.

 

 

The order in the vault of the sky is like a symphony.  Do we know how to listen to it?  Do we join other creatures in praising GOD our Creator?  Do we perceive also the melody of the Gospel message?  The Law of the LORD is more precious than gold, and sweeter than honey, it speaks to us of GOD and invites us to submit ourselves totally to HIM.)

 

Who Is The Greatest?

Hi! and happy Saturday to all of us; and, it's just 90 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Today's "daily bread":

"One day the disciples were arguing about which of them was the most important.  But JESUS knew their thoughts, so HE took a little child and stood him by HIS side.  Then HE said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in MY name welcomes  ME; and whoever welcomes ME, welcomes the ONE who sent ME.  And listen:  the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest'." - Luke 9:46-48

(The Gospel of Mark remarks that JESUS took a child in HIS arms:  something unusual for people of that time since children did not count, and religious teachers only urged that they be well disciplined.  The model of religion seemed to be a serious man who did not laugh, did not run, did not look at people in lower positions, especially women and children.  Oftentimes, such a mentality is seen in those who criticize child baptism and first communion.

 

JESUS does not answer the apostles' question:  Who is the greatest?  Because what matters is not to become great, but to be close to CHRIST.  In order to receive CHRIST, we must welcome HIM in the person of the little ones.)

 

 

The Messiah Of GOD

Hi! and happy TGIF and Muslim-regular holiday (Eid Al-Adha) to all of us; and it's just 91 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" for today:

 

THE GOOD NEWS (25 September 2015)

"One day when JESUS was praying alone, not far from HIS disciples, HE asked them, 'What do people say about ME?'  And they answered, 'Some say that YOU are John the Baptist; others say that YOU are Elijah, and still others that YOU are one of the former prophets risen from the dead.'  Again JESUS asked them, 'Who then do you say I am?'  Peter answered, 'The Messiah of GOD.'  Then JESUS spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone. 

And HE added, 'The Son of Man must suffer many things.  HE will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death.  Then after three days HE will be raised to life'." - Luke 9:18-22 

(Why did JESUS ask HIS apostles the questions we have just read?  The Gospel answers clearly:  because the time had come for JESUS to announce HIS passion to them.  JESUS had not only come to teach people but to open for them the door leading to the Resurrection.  Since HIS apostles now know HIM to be the Savior promised to Israel, they must learn that there is no salvation if death is not conquered.  JESUS will obtain the victory when HE freely chooses the way of the cross:  the Son of Man has to suffer much and be rejected by the authorities.

 

Immediately after that, JESUS adds that we must all share in HIS victory over death:  You must deny yourself:  this is the fundamental orientation of our life.  We must choose between serving and being served, sacrificing ourselves for others or taking advantage of them.  Or, as a well-known prayer puts it:  Let me seek not so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.

 

It is in his/her early years that a child is helped towards this choice.  In a true family he/she is not the center and king/queen, with parents as slaves, but he/she learns how to serve and give himself/herself.  He/She must accept his/her brothers and sisters, share with them and at times limit his/her own future for their good.)

 

Against Those Who Think Only Of Their Own House

Hello! and good Thursday to all of us; and, it's just 92 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Today's first-thing-first:

 

THE GOOD NEWS (24 September 2015)

"In the second year of the reign of  Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, a word of YAHWEH was directed to the prophet Haggai for the benefit of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.

So says YAHWEH of hosts:  This people claim that the time to rebuild the House of YAHWEH has not yet come.  Well now, hear what I have to say through the prophet Haggai:  Is this the time for you to live in your well-built houses while the House is a heap of ruins?  Think about your ways:  you have sown much but harvested little, you eat and drink but are not satisfied, you clothe yourselves but still feel cold, and the laborer puts the money he earned in a tattered purse.

Now think about what you must do:  go to the mountain and look for wood to rebuild the House.  This will make ME happy and I will feel deeply honored, says YAHWEH." - Haggai 1:1-8 

 

(Haggai is the first of the postexilic prophets.  These three:  Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi proclaim the Word of GOD in an entirely new age.  The former prophets denounced Israel's sins and announced the imminent Judgment.  Now, after the trial of the destruction of Jerusalem and Exile in Babylon, the Jewish community must rebuild the nation, and this is when the prophets demand that first, the Temple must be rebuilt.  It is a fact that the Jews [and this is true for us, too] had to serve GOD before asking HIM for the solution to their problems.)

 

Haggai, The Rebuilder-Prophet

The Song Of Tobit

Hi! and happy mid-week to all of us; and, it's just 93 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Today's "food for the soul":

 

THE GOOD NEWS (23 September 2015)

"It is HE who punishes and HE who has mercy; who makes people go down to hell and rise up again.

No one can escape HIS hand.

Give HIM thanks, sons of Israel, before all the nations.

Though HE has dispersed you among them HE now shows you HIS greatness.

Exalt HIM before all the living, because HE is our GOD and LORD, our FATHER forever.  HE punishes us for our wrongdoing but again HE will forgive us.  HE will bring us together again from amongst all the nations among whom we have been dispersed.

If you turn back to HIM with all your heart and soul, and live justly before HIM, then HE will turn back to you and will no longer hide HIS face from you.  See what HE has done for you and return HIM thanks aloud.  Bless the LORD who alone is just and praise the King of ages.  I, in the land of my captivity, will return HIM thanks and show HIS strength and greatness to my sinful people.

Be converted, you sinners,  and live justly before HIM, certain that HE will be pleased with you and show you mercy." - Tobit 13:2-8

(Tobit, in an ecstasy of joy, composed a prayer.)

 

 

 

Jerusalem

Hello! and happy Tuesday to all of us; and, it's just 94 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  As usual, our "daily bread" for today:

 

THE GOOD NEWS (22 September 2015)

"I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD!'  And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem, just like a city, where everything falls into place!  There the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, the assembly of Israel, to give thanks to the LORD's name. There stand the courts of justice the offices of the house of David." - Psalm 122:1-5



Jerusalem, Israel (Then)

(A cry of enthusiasm and joy of a pilgrim at the Temple.  Admiration for the building, joy in seeing the crowd, and something deeper: a happiness in sharing the experience with other believers.

 

The Temple is the sign of GOD's presence among HIS people, JESUS found HIMSELF there with HIS FATHER.  For centuries, Christian pilgrims have walked thousands of kilometers to find the places where GOD has revealed HIMSELF, Compostello, Lourdes, Fatima or Medjugorje.  It is a fact that true worshipers will worship the FATHER in spirit and truth, but they are still flesh and blood and GOD often waits for them at the end of a march without which their effort would not have been a real one.  Prayer of the believer who admires the presence of GOD in the Church, and also of those who seek the joy that accompanies faith.)

Jerusalem, Israel (Now)

The Publicans (Tax Collectors)

Hi! and good first day of the week to all of us; and it's just 95 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our first-thing-first today:

THE GOOD NEWS  (21 September 2015)

"As JESUS moved on from there, HE saw a man named Matthew at his seat in the custom-house, and HE said to him, 'Follow me.'  And Matthew got up and followed HIM.  Now it happened, while JESUS  was at table in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other sinners joined JESUS and HIS disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this they said to HIS disciples, 'Why is it that your master eats with those sinners and tax collectors?'

 

 

 

 

When JESUS heard this HE said, 'Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do.  Go and find out what this means:  What I want is mercy, not sacrifice.  I did not come to call the righteous but sinners'." - Matthew 9:9-13

 

 

(To enter the family of GOD, we must change some of our values.  This conversion is not as conspicuous as participation in devotional practices but is much more valuable.  First, we must liberate ourselves from prejudices by which we classify people.  Let us stop dividing people into good or bad; those we can greet and those we cannot; those we can love and help and those we cannot.  Let us learn that GOD does not hate the rich or the uneducated, those on the left or those on the right, for GOD's merciful plan sees to the salvation of all.

 

Levi is probably the apostle Matthew. In this case, like Simon, named Peter by JESUS, Levi would have been given the name of Matthew, in Hebrew, Mattai means gift of GOD.)

 

3rd Sunday, September 2015

Hello! and happy holy and family day to all of us; and it's just 96 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Sunday:

 

THE GOOD NEWS  (20 September 2015)

 

               1st Reading  :  Wisdom 2:12, 17-20

 

               Psalm           :  Psalm 54:3-8

 

               2nd Reading :  James 3:16, 4:3

 

               Gospel          :  Mark 9:30-37

"Wherever there is jealousy and ambition, you will also find discord and all that is evil." - James 3:16

 

The Parable Of The Sower

Hello! and happy Saturday to all of us; and, it's just 97 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our today's first-thing-first:

"As a great crowd gathered and people came to HIM from every town, JESUS began teaching them through stories, or parables, 'The sower went out to sow the seed.  And as he sowed, some of the grain fell along the way, was trodden on and the birds of the sky ate it up.  Some fell on rocky ground, and no sooner had it come up than it withered, because it had no water.  Some fell among thorns; the  thorns grew up with the seed and choked it.  But some fell on good soil and grew, producing fruit - a hundred times as much.'  And JESUS cried out, 'Listen then, if you have ears to hear!' 

The disciples asked HIM, 'What does this story mean?'  And JESUS answered, 'You have been granted to know the mystery of the kingdom of GOD.  But to others it is given in the form of stories, or parables, so that seeing they may not perceive and hearing they may not understand.'

Now, this is the point of the parable:  The seed is the word of GOD.  Those along the wayside are people who hear it, but immediately the devil comes and takes the word from their minds, for he doesn't want them to believe and be saved.  Those on the rocky ground are people who receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe for a while and give way in time of trial.  Among the thorns are people who hear the word but as they go their way, are choked by worries, riches, and the pleasures of life; they bring no fruit to maturity.  The good soil, instead, are people who receive the word and keep it in a gentle and generous mind, and persevering patiently, they bear fruit." - Luke 8:4-15

 

(The comparison [or parable] of the sower helps us to understand what is happening around JESUS.  Many people became very enthusiastic at the beginning, then, after a while they left.  Only a few persevered and the apostles wondered:  How will the kingdom of GOD come if no one is interested?

 

The Gospel records JESUS' explanation about the fields on which the seed fell.  There was a lot more to explain.  First, HIS comparing the kingdom of GOD with something that is sown must have surprised the listeners.  Throughout Sacred History, there had been abundant sowing and JESUS' contemporaries were expecting a harvest.

 

We, like JESUS contemporaries, want to reap, that is to enjoy the fruits of the kingdom of GOD, namely, social peace, justice and happiness.  Many wonder how it is possible that people continue to be so evil two thousand years after CHRIST.

 

If the kingdom of GOD has come and it is already in our midst, that does not mean we are going to enjoy its fruits.  The kingdom of GOD is where GOD rules, and GOD rules where people accept HIM for what HE is, where HE can be FATHER and where HIS sons and daughters can accept HIS plan for them.

 

From that moment on, people grow in a thousand ways, and social consciousness also develops.  People become aware of their dignity and their common destiny, in spite of the fact that it seems more impossible every day to reach the goal.)

The Women Who Followed JESUS

Hi! and happy TGIF day to all of us; and, it's only 98 days remaining before Christmas, GUYS.  For our weekend's "food for the soul":

 

THE GOOD NEWS  (18 September 2015)

"JESUS walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of GOD.  The Twelve followed HIM, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases:  Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; Suzanna and others who provided for them out of their own funds." - Luke 8:1-3

 

(No spiritual master would have spoken to a woman in public:  women were not even admitted to the synagogues.  Nevertheless, JESUS did not pay the least attention to such universally accepted prejudices.  Various women took JESUS words and attitude as a call to freedom.  They even joined the circle of HIS intimate friends while ignoring the gossip.  Here we have a fundamental testimony about the freedom of the Gospel.

 

JESUS was truly human, and as such HE belonged to a race and a culture:  HE was a Jew of HIS time and HIS Gospel was attuned to the culture that HE shared.  Yet JESUS did not adopt the inhuman traits of HIS culture; nor did HE accept the prejudices of the Jews of HIS time with regard to women, to public sinners, to pagans and so on, nor did HE share their views in regard to the Sabbath.  HIS Gospel is a leaven that changes cultures for the better; in many respects HIS way of life goes against the mainstream of cultures.)

 

Advice To Timothy

Hello! and happy Thursday to all of us; and, it's just 99 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Today's first-thing-first:

 

THE GOOD NEWS (17 September 2015)

"Let no one reproach you on account of your youth.  Be a model to the believers in the way you speak and act, in your love, your faith and purity of life.  Devote yourself to reading, preaching and teaching, until I come.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift conferred on you with prophetic words when the elders laid their hands upon you. 

Think about it and practice it so that your progress may be seen by all.  Take heed of yourself and attend to your teaching.  Be steadfast in doing this and you will save both yourself and your hearers." - 1 Timothy 4:12-16 

 
 

(Faced with all these false teachers, Timothy must be an example of a true apostle.  Let no one reproach you on account of your youth.  Usually, in the Christian communities and in the Jewish ones, the leaders were older men.  This is why they were called "elders" or "presbyters" [which means the same thing].  Timothy, who is visiting the Church on behalf of Paul, has authority over these elders, even though he is much younger than they are.  The example of his sincere faith and profound knowledge of the Bible will be his strength.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do not neglect the spiritual gift.  If someone is named to a ministry or an official position in the Church, this was considered as a spiritual gift:  for example, presbyters, deacons, bishops, prophets.  While other gifts, such as healing the sick, came directly from the Holy Spirit, ministries were received through a laying on of hands.  An apostle or a prophet would lay his hands on the candidate to transfer to him the authority that he had received in a similar way.  Thus, in the Church, every leader receives his authority from CHRIST through a succession of people going back to the apostles.  On this occasion the prophets present would also address the candidate with exhortations and warnings.

 

Devote yourself to reading, preaching and teaching until I come.  This counsel is always valid.  To be  steadfast in reading and study is what costs most in the majority of liberal professions.  Very few people are courageous enough to persevere in study once they have passed their examinations.  This is so, even in the Church.  The "pastors," clergy and lay, are constantly tempted in thinking such and such an activity is pastorally useful, that leisure is "relaxing" even at the cost of postponing study and meditation on the Word.  The Church is always lacking people able to express their faith creatively - a gift that springs from spiritual knowledge and habitual contact with the Word of GOD:  smiles, goodwill and psychology cannot replace this charism.) 

There Is No "One" Style Of Christian Life!

Hello! and happy mid-week to all of us; and , it's just 100 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our today's "daily bread":

 

THE GOOD NEWS (16 September 2015)

 

"What comparison can I use for this people?  What are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain:  We piped you a tune and you wouldn't dance; we sang funeral songs and you wouldn't cry.

Remember John:  he didn't eat bread or drink wine, and you said:  He has an evil spirit.  Next came the Son of Man, eating and drinking, and you say:  Look, a glutton for food and wine, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.  But the children of Wisdom always recognize her work." - Luke 7:31-35 

 

(They do everything at the wrong time; they reproach John for his austerity and JESUS for HIS lack of austerity.  There is no "one" way of serving GOD; there is no "one" model of holiness, "one" style of Christian life.  GOD acts in thousands of ways throughout history, encouraging at a given time what HE will censure later in another milieu.  The alarming asceticism of hermits in the desert or that of the ancient Irish monks has been a richness for Christianity; a Christianity that appears more human has not prevented  other believers from following JESUS to the cross.  JESUS went further than John but HE needed John:  the Gospel is heard with pleasure but is not taken seriously as long as repentance and sacrifice are brushed aside.  Perhaps the renewal of our faith today is waiting for prophets and for movements that dare to question a culture and a society that has become sterile.)   

 

 

The Mother Of The Believers

Hi! and happy good Tuesday to all of us; and, it's just 101 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  As usual our "daily bread" for today:

 

THE GOOD NEWS (15 September 2015)

 

"Near the cross of JESUS stood HIS mother, HIS mother's sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala.  When JESUS saw the Mother, and the disciple whom HE loved, HE said to the Mother, 'Woman, this is your son.'  Then HE said to the disciple, 'There is your mother.'  And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home." - John 19:25-27 

 

(At the moment of Man's fall, Eve was with Adam.  Now, at the moment of restoration, that is, the second creation, another woman is with the Son of Man (the Human One), the second Adam.  Mary has neither spouse nor son who can receive her and, for the Jews, a woman who remains alone would be considered cursed.  JESUS entrusts Mary to John and, also, John to Mary.  John testifies having heard both phrases.  Notice that he writes:  JESUS said to the Mother, and not, to HIS mother.  This is a new symbolic gesture of JESUS.  Mary will be the Mother of believers.

 

Through this last deed of JESUS, the Church discovered something about the mystery of the Christian life.  The believer is a member of a spiritual family.  As a child needs a father and a mother to grow normally so, too, does the believer need Mary and the heavenly FATHER.  This is an unchanging doctrine of the Church, which in no way attempts to make the creature equal with the Creator.

 

Not without reason has GOD given us a mother; if it is a misfortune for a child not to have known a mother, it is also a misfortune for a believer when his religion only expresses itself in masculine terms.  The believer who welcomes Mary to his home as did John is neither a fanatic nor a quibbler regarding faith.  There exists a form of humility, joy, interior peace and simple piety characteristic of those Catholics who have known how to open their doors to Mary without throwing out their Savior.)

Imitate The Humility Of JESUS

Hello! and happy first day of the week to all of us; and, it's just 102 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

 

THE GOOD NEWS (14 September 2015)

"Though HE was in the form of GOD, HE did not regard equality with GOD as something to be grasped, but emptied HIMSELF, taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness, and in HIS appearance found as a man.  HE humbled HIMSELF by being obedient to death, death on the cross.  That is why GOD exalted HIM and gave HIM the Name which outshines all names, so that at the name of JESUS all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among the dead, and all tongues proclaim that CHRIST JESUS is the LORD to the glory of GOD the FATHER." - Philippians 2:6-11 

(Unity is often supported by a shared feeling of being the best. or the strongest, or having to contend with another group:  in that way many religious groups maintain their strength, their discipline and the efforts and sacrifices needed for this.  All that is also found in Christian groups, but it should not be, for we have another spirit.  With us, unity will follow from much humility and understanding of others.  Here, Paul gives the secret of Christian co-existence:  look for what is humble and do nothing through rivalry or for glory.

 

In a hymn which is a sort of creed, Paul proposes the example of CHRIST:  HIS path from GOD to man, from rich to poor, from first to last, from master to servant.

 

 

The LORD JESUS desired to identify with the most humble, the most afflicted, the most despised.  such were JESUS' attitudes and they must be those of HIS followers, the Christians.  A desire to identify with the most humble and to share with them is the motivation for a truly evangelical life.

 

In this we must differ from the majority of people who are mainly interested in their personal or family fulfillment.  Their ambitions are legitimate, and who among us does not share them at least partly?  Yet they have been devalued by CHRIST by the simple fact that HE took the opposite way.

 

HE did not claim equality with GOD:  the mystery of GOD's Son who became a mortal man and gave up GOD's Glory, although HE could have preserved it even in HIS human life.  Since CHRIST was to be the New Man, glorified by GOD and placed above everything, HIS being subject to misery and limitations was a way of being reduced to nothingness.

 

GOD exalted HIM.  The humiliation and obedience of CHRIST were the condition for receiving HIS glory.  HE gave HIM the Name [of GOD], that is, HE made HIM fully enjoy in HIS human nature the divine Power [or Name].)

 

 

2nd Sunday, September 2015

Hi! and happy holy day to all of us; and, it's just 103 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our today's first-thing-first:

 

          1st Reading   :  Isiah 50:4-9

         Psalm           :  Psalm 116:1-9

         2nd Reading  : James 2:14-18

         Gospel          : Mark 8:27-35 

"What good is it, my brothers  and sisters, to profess faith without showing works?  Such faith has no power to save you." - James 2:14

 

(It is necessary to have faith to be saved, but following CHRIST cannot be theoretical; it must be shown in action, in deeds.  CHRIST himself says the same thing in Matthew 7:21:  "Not everyone who says, 'Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.")

 

 

Wise And Foolish Builders

Hello! and happy weekend to all of us; and, it's just 104 days to go before Christmas, GUYS.  Our today's "daily bread":

"So, then, anyone who hears these words of mine and acts accordingly is like a wise man, who built his house on rock.  The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck the 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 fall that was!" - Matthew 7:24-27 

 

(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.)