The Hostile World

Hi! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (30 April 2016)

"If the world hates you, remember that the world hated ME before you.  This would not be so if you belonged to the world, because the world loves its own.  But you are not of the world since I have chosen you from the world; because of this the world hates you.

Remember what I told you: the servant is not greater than his master; if they persecuted ME, they will persecute you, too.  If they kept MY word, they keep yours as well.  All this they will do to you for the sake of MY name because they do not know the One who sent ME." - John 15:18-21 

(In spite of JESUS' having returned to HIS FATHER to initiate a more effective and universal presence among humankind, Satan continues to act with the power he has usurped.  The hatred of those who belong to Satan is directed against the believers and the Church.  Such helpers of Satan are called in John's Gospel: the world.

Believers are destined to be hated by the world.  It often happens that when a person begins to live in a more Christian and responsible way, she meets with opposition and hatred from her own family.  No one knows what has aroused the hatred, but the devil does, who moves everything to discourage us.

Even in the Church we find those who are of the world and believe that they are serving GOD when they persecute the true disciples of CHRIST.  Some who identify themselves with what they consider "the interests of the Church" can even persecute, and at times with malice, those who are Gospel-minded.  In reality they know neither JESUS nor HIS FATHER.

When our hope does not come from GOD, trials discourage us; but when our hope is rooted in GOD, we are strengthened and remain steadfast.  In the parable of the vine, JESUS said: "My FATHER prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit".)

On-Track

The Council's Letters

Hi! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  For our "food for the soul" this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (29 April 2016)

"Then the apostles and elders together with the whole Church decided to choose representatives from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.  These were Judas, known as Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers. They took with them the following letter:

Greetings from the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the believers of non-Jewish birth in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.  We have heard that some persons from among us have worried you with their discussions and troubled your peace of mind.  They were not appointed by us.  But now, it has seemed right to us in an assembly, to choose representatives and to send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the service of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  We send you then Judas and Silas who themselves will give you these instructions by word of mouth.

We, with the Holy Spirit, have decided not to put any other burden on you except what is necessary.  You are to abstain from blood from the meat of strangled animals and from prohibited marriages.  If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.  Farewell.

After saying good-bye, the messengers went to Antioch, where they assembled the community and handed them the letter.  When they read the news, all were delighted with the encouragement it gave them." - Acts 15:22-31 

The Chosen Representatives, Barsabbas And Silas

(If we re-read Chapter 2 of Galatians, then Acts 21:25, we may think that Luke has combined here two events: the meeting at Jerusalem as well as a decision James took later for the Churches that depended directly on Jerusalem and where the Christians of Jewish origin formed the majority.  That helps to understand the decree that follows.

The final decision of the "Council" of Jerusalem, as it is presented here, is doubtless the best the apostles and the Holy Spirit could do at the time.  Let us frankly say that the settlement could only be provisional and lacked doctrinal justification.  To impose Jewish laws was to penalize non-Jews; it was also a way of saying that the Church was unable to live according to the "newness" of the Gospel, free of the past, free of religious discipline.  In fact, a few years later, there was no question of these laws since the Church had freed itself of the Jewish community, just as it had been rejected by the Jews.

The Council's Letters

The following expressions are to be noted; the apostles, the elders, and the whole community... it has seemed right to the Holy Spirit and to us: the decision of the community united to its apostles guarantees the presence of the Holy Spirit.  On several occasions in history, similar debates have taken place, but then it was not a question of freeing the Gospel of the Old Testament laws; it was the laws and customs of the Church that had become the impossible burden to carry [v. 10] for a large human majority.  Only when a debate is wide open, as was the one at Jerusalem, does it succeed in pointing out the obstacles and ecclesiastical taboos.  As long as the central organisms stifle the liberty of expression, the mission weakens and encloses itself within a traditional clientele decreasing day by day.)

On-Track

You Will Remain In MY Love If You Keep MY Commandments!

Hello! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  For our today's "daily bread":

THE GOOD NEWS (28 April 2016)

"As the FATHER has loved ME, so I have loved you; remain in MY love.  You will remain in MY love if you keep MY commandments, just as I have kept MY FATHER's commandments and remain in HIS love.

I have told you all this, that MY own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete." - John 15:9-11 

(CHRIST asks us to first share HIS thinking: that is what the expression, keep my commandments means.  Thus we become HIS friends, knowing HIM as a person who loves us and acts in us.  Later we will produce the authentic fruit of love, whose source is CHRIST.)

On-Track

We Will Go To The House Of The LORD

Hello! and happy good mid-week to all of us, GUYS.   For our "food for the soul" this Wednesday:

THE GOOD NEWS (27 April 2016)

"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 1232:1-5

The Temple At Jerusalem In Time Of JESUS

(A cry of enthusiasm and joy of a pilgrim arriving 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 [John 4:21], 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.)

On-Track

For The FATHER Is Greater Than I

Hello! and happy good Tuesday to  all of us, GUYS.  Today's "food for the soul":

THE GOOD NEWS (26 April 2016)

"Peace be with you; I give you MY peace.  Not as the world gives peace do I give it to you.  Do not be troubled; do not be afraid.  You heard ME say: 'I AM going away, but I AM coming to you.'  If you loved ME, you would be glad that I go to the FATHER, for the FATHER is greater than I.

I have told you this now before it takes place, so that when it does happen you may believe.  It is very little what  I may still tell you, for the prince of this world is at hand, although there is nothing in ME that HE can claim.  But see, the world must know that I love the FATHER and that I do what the FATHER has taught ME to do.  Come now, let us go." - John 14:27-31 

JESUS CHRIST Glory

(For the FATHER is greater than I.  This does not contradict what John teaches throughout the whole Gospel about JESUS' divinity.  This is to be read together with 5:18; 10:30; 16:15, if we want to know something of the mystery of CHRIST, "true GOD," as spoken of in Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13 and 1 John 5:20.

St. Hilary

As early as the fourth century Saint Hilary, the great bishop and defender of the faith, wrote: "The FATHER is greater because of being the one who gives.  As HE gives the Son all that HE HIMSELF is, yet the Son is not inferior to the FATHER."

Moreover, it is characteristic of the Son to deny HIMSELF so that HE may give glory to the FATHER, until the FATHER gives HIM back "the Glory HE had before" as said in 17:5 and 6:62.  Because of this the apostles, who have seen HIM as a man among humans in the time of HIS humiliation, should now rejoice.)

On-Track

To Remind You Of The Kindness Of GOD!

Hi! and happy good first day of the week to all of us, GUYS.  For our "daily bread" this Monday:

THE GOOD NEWS (25 April 2016)

"In the same way, let the younger ones among you respect the authority of the elders.  All of you must clothe yourself with humility in your dealings with one another, because GOD opposes the proud but gives HIS grace to the humble.

Bow down, then, before the power of GOD so that HE will raise you up at the appointed time.  Place all your worries on HIM since HE takes care of you.

Be sober and alert because your enemy the devil prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.  Stand your ground, firm in your faith, knowing that our brothers and sisters, scattered throughout the world, are confronting similar sufferings.  GOD, the giver of all grace, has called you to share in CHRIST's eternal Glory and after you have suffered a little HE will bring you to perfection: HE will confirm, strengthen and establish you forever.  Glory be to HIM forever and ever. Amen.

I have had these few lines of encouragement written to you by Silvanus, our brother, whom I know to be trustworthy.  For I wanted to remind you of the kindness of GOD really present in all this.  Hold on to it.

Greetings from the community in Babylon, gathered by GOD, and from my son, Mark.

Greet one another with a friendly embrace.  Peace to you all who are in CHRIST." - 1 Peter 5:5-14

(In persecution Peter also sees a work of the devil, who does his best to discourage those who hope in CHRIST.

It is a proven fact that when we get ready to make an important decision or to make some commitment in the service of CHRIST, many unexpected obstacles arise.  The person who becomes intimidated loses everything.  When he tries again to take some step, the devil will increase his attacks.  These trials are common and to face them we need to be alert in our faith.

To remind you of the kindness of GOD.  This kindness, or grace, means GOD's whole plan to save us, all that came to us through CHRIST. 

Babylon: in the language of the Christians of the time indicates "the great city," the center of pagan religions, namely, Rome.  Rome already has a community, the Church, at the time that Peter writes.) 

On-Track

The New Heaven And The New Earth

Hi! and happy holy and family day to all of us, GUYS.  For our first-thing-first this Sunday:

THE GOOD NEWS (24 April 2016)

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.  The first heaven and the first earth had passed away and no longer was there any sea.  I saw the new Jerusalem, the holy city coming down from GOD, out of heaven adorned as a bride prepared for her husband.  A loud voice came from the throne, 'Here is the dwelling of GOD among mortals: HE will pitch HIS tent among them and they will be HIS people; HE will be GOD-with-them.

HE will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There shall be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain, for the world that was has passed away.'  The One seated on the throne said, 'See, I make all things new.'

And then HE said to me, 'Write these words because they are sure and true'." - Revelation 21:1-5 

(First vision of the heavenly Jerusalem.   "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM" [1 Corinthians 2:9].

The bible began with a vision of the first creation in which GOD was conversing with Adam, HIS friend, in the garden of Eden.  The Apocalypse ends with a more beautiful vision in which there is overflowing delight in GOD.  Now I make all things new.  The holy and permanent City of people has been built.

GOD With Adam And Eve

A new heaven and a new earth.  The risen body of CHRIST was the principle of the new spiritual and material universe we were hoping for.  Now, the power of HIS resurrection has transformed the whole world.  It will not be a paradise for isolated "soul," nor for pure angels, but a city of human beings: humans have fully become GOD's children: HE will be MY son.

HE will wipe every tear.  GOD dwells among people and HE pours HIS own happiness into them.  The sufferings that filled so many lives, the martyrs' tortures, the inner pain of repentant sinners, all this is over.  Such joy and peace, as cannot be found in any place on earth, are finally found in the heart of GOD.) 

I Have Set You As A Light To The Pagan Nations!

Hello! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (23 April 2016)

Paul And Barnabas in Antioch, Pisidia

"The following Sabbath almost the entire city gathered to listen to Paul, who spoke a fairly long time about the LORD.  But the presence of such a crowd made the Jews jealous.  So they began to oppose with insults whatever Paul said.

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out firmly, saying, 'It was necessary that GOD's word be first proclaimed to you, but since you now reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we turn to non-Jewish people.  For thus we were commanded by the LORD: I have set you as a light to the pagan nations, so that you may bring MY salvation to the ends of the earth.'

Those who were not Jews rejoiced when they heard this and praised the message of the LORD, and all those destined for everlasting life believed in it.  Thus the Word spread throughout the whole region.

Some of the Jews, however, incited God-fearing women of the upper class and the leading men of the city, as well, and stirred up an intense persecution against Paul and Barnabas.  Finally they had them expelled from their region.  The apostles shook the dust from their feet in protest against this people and went to Iconium, leaving the disciples filled with joy and Holy Spirit." - Acts 13:44-52 

Paul And Barnabas Leaving Pisidia

(All those destined for everlasting life.  This expression does not condemn those who have not believed.  It simply states that the coming to faith was a gift for those believers.  GOD entered their life and made them bearers of a current of divine life that would transform the world [John 17:3].)  

"I AM The Way, The Truth And The Life;..."

Hi! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  For our "food for the soul" this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (22 April 2016)

"Do not be troubled; trust in GOD and trust in ME.  In MY FATHER's house there are many rooms.  Otherwise I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.  After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to ME, so that where I AM, you also may be.  Yet you know the way where I AM going.'

Thomas said to HIM, 'LORD we don't know where YOU are going; how can we know the way?'  JESUS said, 'I AM the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the FATHER but through ME." - John 14:1-6  

(Those who had lived intimately with JESUS for several months, would soon need to discover another way of living with the risen and present, though invisible, CHRIST.  "I WAS with you," says JESUS; henceforth, "I will be in you." 

JESUS ascension to the FATHER was not just an individual achievement, but opened for all of us a way to our House, not situated high above us, but in GOD.  There are many mansions, that means that there is also a place for us: not just one mansion for everybody, but a place for each one, because Heaven is not like a performance which is the same for everyone in the audience.  GOD's radiance will draw from each one the resonance only HE can bring forth.  Each one will be in his own mansion, being in communion with all.

Now, knowing what is the goal, we should walk towards this definitive communion.  "I AM the way," says JESUS.  HE became human precisely so that we might see the FATHER in HIM.  HE followed HIS way, so disconcerting for us, so that, meditating on HIS actions, we would progress towards the truth.  Although in the beginning  we may not understand HIM well, with time, we will discover the LORD and understand that HIS way is ours.  Passing through the cross and death, we will achieve our own truth and arrive at life.)

The One Who Shared MY Table Has Risen Against ME!

Hi! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  For our today's "food for the soul":

THE GOOD NEWS (21 April 2016)

"Truly, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than he who sent him.  Understand this, and blessed are you if you put it into practice. 

I AM not speaking of you all, because I know the ones I have chosen and the Scripture has to be fulfilled that says, The one who shared MY table has risen against ME.  I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may know that I AM HE.

Truly, I say to you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes ME, and whoever welcomes ME, welcomes the One who sent ME." - John 13:16-20

(A part of the farewell discourses of JESUS at the Last Supper.)

An Irreparable Choice

Hello! and happy good mid-week to all of us, GUYS.  For our "daily bread"  this Wednesday:

THE GOOD NEWS (20 April 2016)

"Yet JESUS had said, and even cried out, 'Whoever believes in ME, believes not in ME but in HIM who sent ME.  And whoever sees ME, sees HIM who sent ME.  I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in ME may not remain in darkness.

If anyone hears MY words and does not keep them, I AM not the one to condemn him; for I have come, not to condemn the world, but to save the world.  The one who rejects ME, and does not receive my word, already has a judge: the very word I have spoken will condemn him on the last day.

For I have not spoken on MY own authority; the FATHER who sent ME has instructed ME in what to say and how to speak.  I know that HIS commandment is eternal life, and that is why the message I give, I give as the FATHER instructed ME'." - John 12:44-50 

(John stresses the sin of the majority who were not committed to CHRIST, although within themselves they secretly respected HIM.  Somehow the Jewish people suspected that JESUS came from GOD, but to believe in what HE claimed and ask was another matter.

For us, too, to believe in the Gospel is to take a stand; we cannot pass by the Church JESUS founded even though it may not be totally transparent.  HIS word comes to us amidst numerous preoccupations, and most often we feel inclined to respond: "I'll see later!"  When we neglect HIS word, we often think it not grave.  Actually it is GOD and HIS truth that we reject and we may not have another occasion to receive it.  All eternity is decided today.

There is absolutely nothing in the Bible to support the belief that we will have other lives in order to repair our errors of today.  If so many people of our time have grasped this belief in a succession of lives, it is above all because it encourages them to delay making real decisions; the devil takes charge of spreading this belief.)

The Foundation Of The Church At Antioch

Hi! and happy good Tuesday to all of us, GUYS.  Our today's "food for the soul":

THE GOOD NEWS (19 April 2016)

"Those who had been scattered because of the persecution over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message, but only to the Jews.  But there were some natives of Cyprus and Cyrene among them who, on coming into Antioch, spoke also to the Greeks, giving them the good news of the LORD JESUS.  The hand of the LORD was with them so that a great number believed and turned to the LORD.

News of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he arrived and saw the manifest signs of GOD's favor, he rejoiced and urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the LORD; for he himself was a good man filled with Holy Spirit and faith.  Thus large crowds came to know the LORD.

Paul And Barnabas Preaching In Antioch, Syria

Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for Saul and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch.  For a whole year they had meetings with the Church and instructed many people.  It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians." - Acts 11::19-26 

(Antioch, 500 kilometers north of Jerusalem, was the principal town of the Roman province of Syria, a pagan country, where Greek was spoken but where there was an important Jewish community.  Luke does not tell us who presented the Christian faith to the pagans of the first time, nor how that happened.  The Christians of Jewish origin that did it would deserve a statue, or better still a feast I our liturgy.  So there is at Antioch for the first time a community where Jews and non-Jews are assembled: the future of the Church was there.  The Jerusalem community is the Rome of the primitive Church.  It is conscious of its authority and immediately asks to examine more closely this extraordinary new happening: a Church where Jews accept to rub shoulders with the uncircumcised.

Antioch in Ancient Times

The Jerusalem community behaved as having authority over the new churches; the case of Antioch would touch everyone since, for the Palestinian Jews, accepting pagans was something of a scandal.  Did not the Law of Moses forbid living with 'uncircumcised' people?)

Peter Justifies His Conduct

Hello! and happy good first day of the week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Monday:

THE GOOD NEWS (18 April 2016)

"News came to the apostles and the brothers and sisters in Judea that even foreigners had received the Word of GOD.  So, when Peter went up to Jerusalem, these Jewish believers began to argue with him, 'You went to the home of uncircumcised people and ate with them!'

Peter's Vision

So Peter began to give them the facts as they had happened, 'I was at prayer in the city of Joppa when, in a trance, I saw a vision.  Something like a large sheet came down from the sky and drew near to me, landing on the ground by its four corners.  As I stared at it, I saw four-legged creatures of the earth, wild beasts and reptiles, and birds of the sky.  Then I heard a voice saying to me: 'Get up, Peter, kill and eat!'  I replied, 'Certainly not, LORD!  No common or unclean creature has ever entered my mouth.'  A second time the voice from the heavens spoke, 'What GOD has made clean, you must not call unclean.'  This happened three times, and then it was all drawn up into the sky.  At that moment three men, who had been sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were staying.  The Spirit instructed me to go with them without hesitation; so these six brothers came along with me and we entered into the man's house.  He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and telling him: Send someone to Joppa and fetch Simon, also known as Peter.  He will bring you a message by which you and all your household will be saved.'

I had begun to address them when suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon them, just as IT had come upon us at the beginning.  Then I remembered what the LORD had said: 'John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  If, then, GOD had given them the same gift that HE had given us when we believed in the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who was I to resist GOD?'

When they heard this they set their minds at rest and praised GOD saying, 'Then GOD has granted life-giving repentance to the pagan nations as well'." - Acts 11:1-18 

(That Peter went to baptize a non-Jew seems to us the most normal thing.  Let us not forget that the Christians of Jerusalem remained Jews, with their education, their prejudices and their sensibility.  They did not see how a person could be part of JESUS' family without first belonging to the people of GOD who, for them, identified itself with the Jewish nation.  Could someone become their brother without first being circumcised?  The warning they gave Peter is the first witness of the constant pressure that Christians have always brought to bear on their priests and bishops throughout history.  Every time that someone would like to open our Church to people of another culture, a powerful group will only be willing to accept those who consent to lose their own identity and be Christians in the way we ourselves are.  These believers in Jerusalem are not acting in bad faith and they accept Peter's explanations.  Like him, what courage the leaders of the Church will need to respond to the calls of the Holy Spirit when faced with the prejudices of a group!)
 

The Gentiles (Non-Jews)

  

I And The FATHER Are One!

Hello! and happy holy and  family day to all of us, GUYS.  Our first-thing-first this Sunday:

THE GOOD NEWS (17 April 2016)

"MY sheep hear MY voice and I know them; they follow ME and I give them eternal life.  They shall never perish and no one will ever steal them from ME.  What the FATHER has given ME is above everything else and no one can snatch it from the FATHER's hand.  I and the FATHER are one." - John 10:27-30 

The Good Shepherd

(When the Bible speaks of the Shepherd, it usually refers to GOD HIMSELF, the only king of Israel, but sometimes means the King-Messiah sent by GOD.  JESUS spoke of only one shepherd.  Though distinct from the FATHER, HE is one with HIM.)

The Holy Trinity

Will You Also Go Away?

Hi! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (16 April 2016)

"From the beginning, JESUS knew who would betray HIM.  So HE added, 'As I have told you, no one can come to ME unless it is granted by the FATHER.'

After this many disciples withdrew and no longer followed HIM.  JESUS asked the Twelve, 'Will you also go away?'  Peter answered HIM, 'LORD, to whom shall we go?  YOU have the words of eternal life.  We now believe and know that YOU are the Holy One of GOD'." - John 6:64-69 

Symbol Of Fidelity

(LORD to whom shall we go?  Many of JESUS' followers left but, in the name of those who remained, Peter pledged his fidelity [see also Matthew 16:13].)

JESUS Gives Peter The Keys To The Kingdom

The Truth Of GOD

Hello! and happy TGIF to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" this Friday:

THE GOOD NEWS (15 April 2016)

"Alleluia!

Praise the LORD, all you nations;

all you peoples, praise HIM.

How great is HIS love for us!

HIS faithfulness lasts forever."

- Psalm 117:1-2

(Less than a quarter of a psalm, but all is there: goodness [grace, favor] and fidelity [truth] that is the truth of GOD.)

The Body Of CHRIST

Hi! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  For our "daily bread" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (14 April 2016)

"No one can come to ME unless he is drawn by the FATHER who sent ME; and I will raise him up on the last day.  It has been written in the Prophets: They shall be taught by GOD.  So whoever listens and learns from the FATHER comes to ME.

For no one has seen the FATHER except the One who comes from GOD; HE has seen the FATHER.  Truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

I AM the bread of life.  Though your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, they died.  But here you have the bread which comes from heaven so that you may eat of it and not die.

I AM the living bread which has come from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever.  The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world." - John 6:44-51 

(The second part of the discourse: JESUS becomes our bread when we eat his body in the sacrament  of the Eucharist.)  

The Bread Of Life

Hello! and happy good mid-week to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Wednesday:

THE GOOD NEWS (13 April 2016)

"JESUS said to them, 'I AM the bread of life; whoever comes to ME shall never be hungry, and whoever believes in ME shall never be thirsty.  Nevertheless, as I said, you refuse to believe, even when you have seen.   Yet, all that the FATHER gives ME will come to ME, and whoever comes to ME, I shall not turn away.  For I have come from heaven, not to do MY own will, but the will of the One who sent ME.

And the will of HIM who sent ME is that I lose nothing of what HE has given ME, but instead that I raise it up on the last day.  This the will of the FATHER that whoever sees the Son and believes in HIM shall live with eternal life; and I will raise him up on the last day'." - John 6:35-40

JESUS, The Bread Of Life

(All that the FATHER gives ME will come to ME.  Not all those who take pride in belonging to the true religion come to CHRIST, but only those whom the FATHER knows.  Though the church embraces many people of all descriptions, only those to whom the FATHER has given this grace will find their way to the controversial and humble CHRIST.  While acknowledging the value of the sacraments and good works, we should not forget what JESUS taught: none of our own efforts can substitute for the grace of being chosen by the FATHER who calls us to know HIS Son in truth.)

The Beginning Of A Great Persecution Against The Church

Hello! and happy good Tuesday to all of us, GUYS.  Our "food for the soul" today:

THE GOOD NEWS (12 April 2016)

"As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed saying: 'LORD JESUS, receive my spirit.'  Then he knelt down and said in a loud voice: 'LORD, do not hold this sin against them.'  And when he had said this, he died.

Saul was there, approving his murder.  This was the beginning of a great persecution against the Church in Jerusalem.  All, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria.  Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.  Saul meanwhile was trying to destroy the Church; he entered house after house and dragged off men and women and had them put in jail." - Acts 7:59-60; 8:1-3 

Saul of Tarsus, Before Conversion

(The death of Stephen leads to a resurrection.  Instead of Stephen, the Church will have a new apostle in Saul who, after his conversion, will become "St. Paul."  So GOD heard the prayer of Stephen for his murderers.

The illegal execution of Stephen unleashes the persecution against the Hellenists Christians.  The apostles and others in the Hebrew group were not persecuted, because they were considered loyal to the Jewish religion and traditions.)

Christian Persecution, Early Church

The Story Of Stephen

Hi! and happy good first day of the week to all of us, GUYS.  For our "daily bread" this Monday:

THE GOOD NEWS (11 April 2016)

"Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.  Some persons then came forward, who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia.  They argued with Stephen but they could not match the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.  As they were unable to face the truth, they bribed some men to say, 'We heard him speak against Moses and against GOD.'

Stephen, The First Martyr, Stoned To Death

So they stirred up the people, the elders and the teachers of the Law; they took him by surprise, seized him and brought him before the Council.  Then they produced false witnesses who said, 'This man never stops speaking against our Holy Place and the Law.  We even heard him say that JESUS the Nazarean will destroy our Holy Place and change the customs which Moses handed down to us.'  And all who sat in the Council fixed their eyes on him, and his face appeared to them like the face of an angel." - Acts 6:8-15

(Being a Hellenist, Stephen did not share the blind faith of the Jewish people in their Temple and its rituals.  He understood that the Church had to become free from the patterns of the past and move away from the Jews, if they refused to believe.

Stephen's long discourse before the Sanhedrin [the Great  Council] is an outstanding summary of the Old Testament.  It emphasizes the increasing initiatives of GOD who calls, gives, promises, corrects and saves.  Confronting this untiring love is the permanent rebellion of Israel who despises GOD and rejects those HE sends.  The prophet Hosea, eight centuries before CHRIST, already expressed the drama of the rejected love of GOD by HIS people [Hosea 11:1-4].  Stephen proclaims it again: this drama reached its culmination when JESUS, the Son-of-GOD-made-man, was nailed to the cross [Acts 2:23; 3:15; 4:10].

Stephen dies as CHRIST did.  He becomes the first martyr [martyr means witness].  He is a witness to CHRIST because he proclaims HIM, but even more so because he does as CHRIST did, he forgives his murderers.

Like Peter, after Pentecost, Stephen still hopes for a conversion of the Jewish people: a minority at least will be converted.  This hope will fade in time with the persecutions raised against the Church.  The murder of Stephen would be the first sign leading the converted Jews to understand that apostolic work must be undertaken beyond the frontiers of the Jewish fortress.

Later, when it becomes clear that the Jewish community has rejected the Gospel, Paul will strive to build among pagan nations a network of communities, a new people of GOD.  Then Paul and the other apostles will search for all those who, in any nation, have been predestined by GOD.  They see the Church as a people of "saints."

However, it again appears that many in the Church are not converted.  As soon as the community grows and organizes itself, all the defects JESUS denounced in the Jewish Synagogue take place among the Christians and in the structures of the Church.

You always resist the Holy Spirit.  This was and remains true in the Church that enjoys the assistance of the Spirit.  The people of GOD always tend to take on the criteria and aims of any human group.  Peace with those in political power, security for the future, unity and strength for the Christian organizations are more attractive than the words of the Gospel: sell all your belongings, preach on the rooftops, go to the poor, do not be called "father."

The only way to escape from this return to "the Synagogue" is to do what the first Christians did after Stephen's death: leave our beloved nest for the mission of proclaiming the whole Gospel.)

The Coming Of The Lamb

Hi! and happy holy and family day to all of us, GUYS.  Our first-thing-first this Sunday:

THE GOOD NEWS (10 April 2016)

"I went on looking; I heard the noise of a multitude of angels gathered around the throne, the living creatures and the elders, numbering millions of millions, crying out with a loud voice: 

Worthy is the LAMB who was slain to receive

power and riches, wisdom and strength

honor, glory and praise.

Then I heard the voice of the whole universe, heaven, earth, sea and the place of the dead; every creature cried out:

To HIM who sits upon the throne and to the LAMB

be praise, honor, glory and power for

ever and ever.

And the four living creatures said, Amen, while the elders bowed down and worshiped." - Revelation 5:11-14

The Four Living Creatures

(Now, CHRIST can read the Book of the history and destiny of humankind [power, riches, and wisdom: Still more, HE is now the owner of this Book, and in being rejected by Israel, a priestly people [Exodus 19:6], HE formed HIS own kingdom and priests, the Church [1 Peter 2:9], as is said in verse 10.

A LAMB standing, although it had been slain.  The vision brings us to the moment of the resurrection.  While the Gospels relate the resurrection of JESUS, as HIS disciples knew it on earth, here we are in heaven to contemplate the risen CHRIST entering a glorious world.  HE is standing after being sacrificed, glorious, but forever marked by HIS Passion.

Let us note how on the day of the resurrection, the same praise previously addressed to GOD now goes to the LAMB: in being raised up, CHRIST appears with the glory befitting HIM: that of GOD.)

The First Deacons?

Hello! and happy good weekend to all of us, GUYS.  Our "daily bread" this Saturday:

THE GOOD NEWS (09 April 2016)

"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 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 

(We must not think that JESUS indicated in every detail how the apostles were to organize the Church.  A conflict took place between two social groups.  It seems that these Hellenists followed the Essene party, who did not accept the legitimacy of the High Priests and who refrained from participating in the Temple rituals.  The clash of ideas between "Hebrews" and "Hellenists "causes mutual mistrust so that it became necessary to give some autonomy to the Hellenists.  Since the apostles identified more readily with the Hebrews, the others would have their own ministers for certain functions.

The community chooses seven men and the apostles give them a share in their authority, because any mission has its roots in CHRIST through 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].)